I expected turbulence in the air, not in my marriage. One moment we were boarding with diaper bags and twin babies — the next, my husband Eric disappeared behind the business class curtain, leaving me with two toddlers, a collapsing stroller, and a growing sense of doom.

This was supposed to be our first real family trip. Eric’s parents were eager to meet 18-month-old Ava and Mason, and we were already stressed just getting to the gate. Eric leaned over, said he was “checking something,” and vanished. Boarding began, and suddenly he flashed a smug grin. “Babe, I snagged an upgrade. You’ll be fine with the kids, right?” Before I could react, he was gone.

The flight was chaos: juice spills, crying, and a stranger begging to switch seats. Then Eric texted, bragging about warm towels while I was wiping spit-up with a baby wipe I’d fished off the floor. When we landed, I looked like I’d survived a storm while Eric strolled off refreshed. His dad, however, was not impressed.

That night, I overheard my father-in-law scolding Eric in his study. The next evening, when we went out to dinner, Eric’s dad ordered everyone drinks… then looked straight at Eric and said, “And for him, a glass of milk. Since he clearly can’t handle being an adult.” The whole table laughed—except Eric.

Two days later, my FIL quietly told me he’d set up a trust for the kids and me, while Eric’s share of the inheritance would shrink “until he remembers what family means.” Suddenly, Eric was a new man—offering to carry car seats and wrangle diaper bags.

But karma wasn’t done. At the airport on our way home, Eric was “upgraded” again. Only this time, the ticket sleeve had a handwritten note: “Business class again. Enjoy. But this one’s one-way. You’ll explain it to your wife.”His dad had booked him a solo stay at a hotel to “think about priorities.” I laughed so hard I nearly cried. As I boarded with the twins, Eric trailed behind, sulking.“Any chance I can earn my way back to economy?” he asked quietly.I just smiled. Karma, after all, has a fully reclining seat.