When I received the news about my promotion, I broke down in tears in the breakroom—not out of joy, but from sheer exhaustion.
Years of staying late, sacrificing time with loved ones, and pushing through the quiet grind had finally been acknowledged. I texted my husband, Greg.
“I did it,” I typed.
He responded with a string of confetti emojis and a promise of wine and dinner waiting at home.
I felt proud, of course, but the triumph came with its own burdens—extended workdays, cold takeout dinners, and laundry that stayed in the basket for weeks.
I gave up on mascara just because removing it felt like one more chore. Lunch breaks disappeared; I’d eat at my desk between emails.
Even my inbox seemed to run on caffeine. And sleep? That felt optional.
One night, as I microwaved yet another sad dinner, Greg looked up from where he sat.
“You’re doing too much, Lizzie,” he said. “Let’s hire someone. A housekeeper, maybe?”
“Yeah, just someone to help out. My mom’s friend has a daughter looking for work, young, and respectful. She could take over some of the heavy stuff.”
I was surprised.
Greg came from a family of traditional men who believed in outdated roles.
I once vacuumed in heels while he got ready for dinner, and he said, “You make it look good, babe.” But he had made changes since then—he was trying.
Now this? It floored me.
“You shouldn’t come home from a long day and then scrub floors,” he added. “I can do some of it, but the site work’s been hard on my back. We need help.”
Tears threatened again—not from fatigue this time, but from gratitude.
“Okay,” I agreed. “Let’s do it.”
That Monday, Maria joined us. I barely saw her. She’d come and go during my work hours and leave kind notes on the fridge.
“Changed the sheets!”
“Dinner’s marinating—just toss it in.”
“Hope your meeting rocked!”
It was like having a helpful spirit around the house.
The air smelled of lemon cleaner, my laundry appeared folded and warm in drawers, and the kitchen sparkled. I could finally breathe again.
Then, the sleepwalking returned.
I hadn’t done that since high school, but suddenly I was waking up with bruises and tangled blankets.
“Stress can bring it back,” my doctor explained. “A sleep journal might help. You’ve managed before.”
He also recommended setting up motion-detecting cameras to understand the pattern better.
I didn’t want Greg to worry or doubt my capability. So I bought two discreet cameras—one for our room, another for the hallway—just to observe.
I wasn’t expecting what I found.
One Friday afternoon, I took a rare break and decided to review the footage. Greg wasn’t home, so I had time.
I watched him come home at noon—odd, since his shifts usually ended around five.
Twenty minutes later, Maria arrived with groceries. They were laughing—not like coworkers, but like old friends.
I rewound. Watched again.
Greg made tea for her. She touched his arm. They embraced—not a casual hug, but something warm and lingering.
I felt the air leave my lungs.
I clicked into another clip: them in the hallway. Greg brushed hair from Maria’s face.
Her hand was on his chest. Then they walked out of frame.
That night, I was a machine. I made dinner. Did the dishes. Waited.
Greg came home and said his back hurt. He was going to sleep early.
I nodded.
Later, in bed, I stared at the ceiling, his arm draped over me. I felt frozen. Was I being betrayed right under my own roof?
I needed clarity.
The next day, I lied. Told Greg I had a meeting rescheduled. He kissed my forehead, unsuspecting.
At 1:15 p.m., I parked a few houses away. At 1:35, I stepped through our front door, silently.
Music played—classical, not Greg’s usual taste. Then I heard voices.
They stood together in the kitchen. Maria’s hand rested on the counter near chopped vegetables. Greg stood close. They laughed.
“What’s for dinner?” I said, voice steady.
Greg turned in sh0ck. Maria blanched.
“You’re home?!” he stammered.
“Elizabeth,” she stepped toward me, “I’m so sorry. This isn’t what it looks like.”
Greg gently led me into the dining room.
Candles were set on a white cloth. Red roses in the
center. Our wedding silverware. A framed sonogram.
“What is this?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Greg nodded to Maria.
“It’s yours,” she said gently.
My legs gave way; I clutched the chair.
“She’s not a maid,” Greg said. “She’s a surrogate. She’s carrying our baby.”
I was stunned.
“You’re lying.”
“No. Remember when the doctor told us we couldn’t conceive?” Greg reminded me. “You said you didn’t want IVF or adoption. You told me to handle it.”
Pieces clicked into place. Late-night wine. Foot rubs. Papers I signed without reading. I had shut down, and Greg had acted.
“Yes,” he said. “One embryo survived. We used it. I didn’t tell you until I was sure everything was okay.”
Maria spoke softly. “I just wanted to help. I liked feeling part of something.”
Greg added, “We called her a maid on paper until we were ready to tell you. I’m sorry.”
Then he handed me a tiny box.
Inside was a silver bracelet with a heart and baby footprint charm.
“I wanted you to have this at dinner. I hoped it might bring back your smile.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
“You should’ve told me,” I whispered.
“I know. I was scared it would hurt more.”
“Five months,” Maria said. “It’s a boy.”
And despite everything—confusion, fear, betrayal—I felt hope rise. I wanted this baby more than anything.
That night, we lit the candles. Maria left early, promising to return.
“I’ll work as long as I can,” she smiled.
“You’re carrying precious cargo,” I said.
Later, Greg and I sat with ice cream and chocolate syrup.
“I’m scared,” I admitted.
“Me too,” he said. “But we’re going to be okay.”
I looked at the bracelet, the tiny charm glowing under the soft light, and for the first time in months, I placed my hand over my belly.
He wasn’t growing inside me yet—but he was ours.
And I haven’t sleepwalked since. Maybe the truth—no matter how messy—finally gave my mind the peace it needed.
