My Daughter Found Tickets to a Romantic Dinner in Her Dad’s Jacket, but One Detail on Them Made My Heart Sink

I always thought we had the perfect family. My husband, Tom, was the type of man everyone admired: charming, dependable, and always present. Our daughter Lily’s sparkling eyes and inquisitive mind made everything feel complete. We lived in a quaint house with picket fences, surrounded by pleasant neighbors and close friends. Life looked to be going well.

That illusion of perfection was shattered one cold October evening. Lily was searching through the hallway closet for her scarf when she came across something unexpected. “Mom, are you going to a dinner with jazz music without telling me?” she inquired, her voice full of anticipation and wonder.

“Jazz music?” “What are you talking about, sweetie?” I responded, perplexed.

She came over with two glossy tickets in her hand. “Look! They were in Dad’s jacket! You’re definitely going for a date,” she said, her smile wide with intrigue.

At first glance, my heart fluttered—Tom had planned a surprise! How romantic, I thought. But as I took the tickets from her, a cold wave of realization washed over me. The date on the tickets was for tomorrow.