My husband avoids every holiday gathering, so when he suddenly asked me to host a huge Fourth of July party, I was stunned—and thrilled. I poured my heart into it: hours of cooking, handmade decorations, and thoughtful touches for every guest. For once, everything felt perfect.
That feeling vanished after the fireworks, when he tapped his glass to speak. In that moment, I realized the party wasn’t for celebration at all—it was a setup. What he announced next made my blood run cold and turned what should’ve been a joyful night into something I’ll never forget.