Rachel had just gotten home from a long day tutoring energetic kids—six-year-olds mastering their ABCs and an ambitious eight-year-old determined to conquer fractions.

Her husband of seven years, Lucas, greeted her with his usual warmth: a kiss on the forehead and a steaming mug of herbal tea.

“How’s my favorite teacher?” he asked, smiling.

“Exhausted,” she laughed, collapsing onto the couch. “But this helps.”

Lucas had a way of making her feel seen. They were that couple—affectionate, inseparable, planning a family, and quietly in love. Continues…