So, two days before Christmas, my husband tells me that his boss called him for an urgent business trip to another city for a few days. Of course, I couldn’t argue—it’s his job, after all.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve. He calls to wish me a Merry Christmas. I wish him back and try to chat, but he suddenly cuts me off, yelling, “I can’t talk! I have to go now!” Go where? Late at night on Christmas Eve? Weird, right?

Then it hits me—BINGO! I remember I left my fitness tracker in his car a few days ago. I open the app on my phone, and guess what I see? HIS CAR IS PARKED AT A HOTEL RIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY!

Without thinking twice, I jump into my car and head straight to that hotel. And there it is, his car sitting in the parking lot!

I burst into the hotel and approach the reception desk. My heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear my own voice. “Excuse me, my husband is staying here. Can you tell me his room number?”

The receptionist gives me a polite but firm smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We can’t give out guest information.”

Fine. I take a deep breath, trying to think. Then I spot the elevators. If I can’t get a room number, I’ll just have to find him myself.

I march over and press the button, my mind racing with possibilities. Is he having an affair? Is he meeting someone? Why would he lie? The doors open, and I step inside, punching the button for the highest floor. If he’s trying to hide, he’d probably pick somewhere with a nice view, right?

When the elevator dings open, I step out into the quiet hallway. My hands are shaking as I walk down, listening for any familiar voices. And then—I hear it. Laughter. His laughter.

I follow the sound, stopping at a room with the door slightly ajar. My heart is about to explode. I push it open just a crack and peek inside.

And there he is. My husband. Sitting at a table with a few men and women, clinking glasses, laughing like he doesn’t have a care in the world. In front of him are stacks of poker chips and a deck of cards.

He wasn’t working. He wasn’t out of town. He was here, in a fancy hotel, playing poker on Christmas Eve.

I don’t even think. I push the door open wide. “Merry Christmas!” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

The room goes silent. My husband’s face turns white as he stares at me like he’s seen a ghost.

“W-What are you doing here?” he stammers, standing up so fast his chair nearly topples over.

“What am I doing here?” I scoff. “What are YOU doing here? You told me you were on a business trip! And yet, here you are, gambling like a teenager who just got his first paycheck!”

His friends shift awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. One of them clears their throat and mutters something about leaving. Within seconds, they all grab their things and rush past me, leaving my husband standing there, looking guilty as sin.

I cross my arms. “Start talking.”

He runs a hand through his hair, sighing. “Look, I—I didn’t want to lie. But I knew you’d be mad if I told you the truth.”

“Oh, you mean if you told me you’d rather play poker at a hotel than spend Christmas with your wife?” I snap.

“It’s not like that!” he protests. “It was just supposed to be one night. The guys planned it weeks ago. It’s a tradition we used to have before we got married.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “So instead of being honest, you made up some fake business trip and left me alone for Christmas?”

He looks down at the floor, guilt written all over his face. “I messed up.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. “You didn’t just mess up. You broke my trust. And right before Christmas, too.”

Silence hangs between us. Then he steps forward, reaching for my hand. “I’m so sorry. I was selfish. I wasn’t thinking. Please… let me make this right.”

I pull my hand away. “I don’t know if you can.”

I turn and walk out, leaving him standing there. I get in my car, gripping the wheel so tight my knuckles turn white. My mind is spinning. My heart is aching.

How do you forgive someone for lying—not just about something small, but about something that should’ve been special? About Christmas, about family, about love?

What would you do if you were in my shoes?