When Denise’s husband tells her his phone is broken, she takes it to an old college buddy for repairs. But when she picks up the phone later, her friend shows her a note inside that proves her husband is hiding a dark secret.
I never would’ve imagined that a lost pair of earbuds would lead me to the most devastating discovery of my life.
There I was, dressed and ready for my morning jog when I realized I must’ve lost my earbuds in the Uber that brought my husband, Andrew, and me home the previous evening. I rushed into the kitchen, where Andy was making coffee.
“Babe, give me your phone, please?” I held out my hand. “I need to look at your call history.”
A man with a guilty expression | Source: Pexels
Andrew went pale as a sheet. “No, you can’t,” he replied quickly.
Now, I’m not going to claim Andy and I have a perfect marriage. We argue and sometimes get on each other’s nerves, but that’s normal, right? On this occasion, something about his response raised a red flag.
“Why not?” I asked.
“It’s… dead.” He looked away as he replied, stirring his coffee like it was the most important thing in the world. “I, uh, dropped it this morning.”
A woman staring forward | Source: Pexels
It was so obvious he was lying that I was speechless for a minute. I didn’t understand what was going on. Then I started thinking about all the times he’d come home late recently.
I also noticed strange appointments in his calendar when I double-checked the date for his parents’ upcoming anniversary celebration. It seemed so obvious in hindsight: Andrew was hiding something from me.
“Where is it now?” I asked. “I can drop it off to get repaired on my way to work, if you like?”
A tense couple | Source: Pexels
Andrew hesitantly went into the bedroom to fetch his phone. It seemed to take ages, but finally, he handed me his phone.
It was indeed dead, the screen as black as night. I tried turning it on while I was on the subway, but it seemed Andrew had been telling the truth.
I should’ve been relieved, but my suspicions from earlier still nagged at me as I entered the repair shop. My old college buddy, Mike, owned the place. He greeted me warmly as I approached the counter.
A woman speaks to a shop assistant | Source: Pexels
“Hey, Mike. Can you take a look at this?” I set the phone down in front of him.
Mike took the phone and turned it over in his hands. “Sure thing, Denise, I’ll let you know what I find.”
The day dragged on at work, my mind a whirl of worries. By the time I got off, there was a message from Mike waiting for me.
“Hey, can you come by the shop? There’s something you need to see.”
Woman walking on the street while speaking on her phone | Source: Pexels
My stomach churned as I walked into Mike’s shop. He looked up from the counter, a serious expression on his face.
“Let’s go to the back,” Mike said.
My heart pounded as I followed him to a small room. Mike closed the door behind us, then handed me Andrew’s phone, now powered on and functional. But there was more.
“I found this inside the phone,” he said, passing me a small folded note.
With trembling hands, I unfolded the paper.
A woman holding a notepad | Source: Pexels
Scrawled in Andrew’s handwriting, it read: “Please don’t fix this phone, say it’s beyond repair. Email me, I will send you money for it. Thanks!”
I felt like the ground had fallen away beneath me. “What the heck?” I muttered, “Why would he…”
I looked at Mike, but he raised his hands. “I didn’t email him, and I didn’t look at any personal stuff on the device either.” He let out a sigh and looked sadly at me. “But he obviously has something to hide.”
An earnest man | Source: Pexels
I know he meant to be kind, but his words felt like a slap in the face.
I thanked Mike, paid him, and left in a hurry. Once I was seated on the train home, I pulled out Andrew’s phone. He’d gone to such lengths to keep me from seeing his call history, but why?
My hands clenched into fists as the most obvious answer sprang to mind: Andrew was cheating on me.
An angry woman | Source: Pexels
So, I was all fired up as I started scrolling through phone numbers. My imagination was already filling up with various ways to get revenge on him, so what I found caught me completely off guard.
Most calls were to a number labeled “Dr. Whitman,” and several others marked “Hospital.”
“What the heck…” I muttered, clicking on the messages next. They were filled with appointment confirmations, test results, and reminders for follow-ups.
My mind raced, trying to piece together what this could mean.
A woman scrolling on a smart phone | Source: Pexels
Was Andrew sick? I tapped into his photo gallery, and my worst fears were confirmed. Scans, x-rays, and medical documents filled the screen. Each image painted a grim picture of a long, hidden battle with illness.
Andrew wasn’t cheating; he was sick, and he’d kept it from me all this time. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away.
The rest of the subway ride felt like an eternity. My mind replayed every moment from the past few months, every late night, every strange appointment.
A crying woman | Source: Pexels
Feelings of anger, sorrow, and guilt cycled through me. Why hadn’t he told me? How could he go through this alone?
I took a deep breath as I approached our home, feeling the weight of Andrew’s secret pressing down on my chest. Fresh tears stung at my eyes, but I clenched my jaw and kept moving.
When I finally walked through the front door, Andrew was sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine. He looked up, and his face fell when he saw the phone in my hand.
Man sitting on a sofa | Source: Pexels
“You got it fixed?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
I nodded. “Andrew, we need to talk.”
He looked away, the dread evident in his posture. I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered, my voice breaking.
Andrew sighed, tears forming in his own eyes. “I didn’t want you to worry. I wanted to protect you, to keep our life normal for as long as possible.”
Couple seated on a sofa | Source: Pexels
“Protect me?” I echoed, my voice rising. “How could you think this would protect me? Finding out like this feels like a betrayal.”
“I’m sorry, Denise,” he said, his voice cracking. “I thought I could handle it on my own. I didn’t want to burden you with my problems.”
“We’re supposed to share our lives, Andrew,” I snapped. “The good and the bad. How could you think this isn’t my problem too?”
He hung his head, silent tears streaming down his face.
Sad and serious man | Source: Pexels
“I know I should have told you,” he whispered. “But I was so scared. I didn’t want you to see me as… broken.”
My heart ached as I watched Andrew hang his head and turn away. I closed the gap between us, placing my arms around him as I tried to make sense of it all.
“Andrew, I love you,” I said. “Nothing will ever change that. But I need you to trust me. We’re in this together, remember?”
Close up of a woman with tear-filled eyes | Source: Pexels
He nodded, squeezing my hand tightly. “I’m so sorry, Denise. I promise, no more secrets.”
I held him tight as I felt his body shake with sobs. “We’ll get through this,” I whispered. “Together. But I need you to tell me what the doctors found.”
Andrew let out a shaky breath. He wiped his tears as he turned to face me and said two words that changed my life forever.
Couple seated on a sofa having a conversation | Source: Pexels
“Lung cancer.” Andrew’s lower lip quivered as he attempted a brave smile. “It’s under control for now, but it’s not good, Denise.”
For a long while, we just sat there, holding each other. The weight of his secret was still heavy, but sharing it made it a little easier to bear. We talked late into the night about his diagnosis, his fears, and what we needed to do next.
It was going to be a long road, but at least we’d be walking it together.
A couple hugging | Source: Pexels
The next morning, we made an appointment with Dr. Whitman. As we sat in the waiting room, Andrew reached for my hand.
“Thank you for not giving up on me,” he said softly.
I looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability and strength there. “We’re a team, remember? I’m not going anywhere.”
Couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
He smiled, a real smile this time, and I couldn’t help but smile back. Despite all the drama and heartache, I knew then that no matter what happened next, we’d be okay.
Boys when single and dating
Ever noticed how a guy’s appearance seems to completely change once he starts dating? One day, he’s carefree, rocking an untamed beard and a messy hairstyle, and the next, he’s clean-shaven, well-groomed, and looking way too polished.
Why does this transformation happen? Well, the answer is simple—when single, most guys don’t care much about their looks, but when they enter a relationship, suddenly, self-care becomes a priority. Let’s dive into this hilarious shift and break down the ways boys change when they go from single life to dating mode.
1. The Single Life: Carefree and Rugged
Before a guy enters a relationship, personal grooming is often at the bottom of his priority list. When he’s single, there’s no pressure to impress anyone, so he lets his natural state take over.
What Happens When a Guy is Single?
- The Beard Takes Over – Many guys skip shaving for weeks, growing anything from a light stubble to a full-blown caveman beard.
- Messy Hair, Don’t Care – Haircuts? Those are optional. A single guy might go months without trimming his hair, leading to that “I just woke up” look becoming his everyday style.
- Basic Fashion Choices – A single guy’s wardrobe consists of wrinkled t-shirts, faded jeans, and that one hoodie he’s had since high school.
- Skincare? What’s That? – Forget fancy grooming routines. The most skincare a single guy does is splashing water on his face in the morning.
- Minimal Effort in Smelling Good – Deodorant? Sometimes. Cologne? Only for special occasions (which rarely happen).
In short, single guys live life on easy mode, with no pressure to constantly look their best.
2. The Dating Phase: Grooming Overload Begins
Once a guy starts dating, everything changes overnight. Suddenly, self-care becomes a priority, and he transforms into a well-groomed gentleman.
How a Guy Changes When He Starts Dating
- The Beard Disappears – The first thing to go? The rugged, wild beard. He’ll either go for a clean-shaven look or neatly trimmed stubble to impress his girlfriend.
- Haircuts Become a Monthly Ritual – Gone are the days of letting hair grow uncontrollably. Now, he visits the barber regularly to keep his hairstyle fresh.
- Wardrobe Upgrade – His old, baggy t-shirts are replaced with well-fitted shirts, stylish jackets, and trendy sneakers. He suddenly knows what “fashion sense” means.
- Skincare Becomes a Thing – Now, he owns face wash, moisturizer, and maybe even exfoliating scrubs—all because his girlfriend recommended them.
- Cologne and Grooming Essentials – He starts investing in good cologne, deodorants, and even fancy beard oils to keep things fresh.
3. The Psychological Shift – Why Do Boys Change When They Start Dating?
So, why do guys suddenly care so much about their appearance when they start dating? It’s not just about impressing their partner—it’s also about self-confidence and making a good impression.
Why This Transformation Happens:
- First Impressions Matter – In the early stages of dating, guys want to look their best to keep their partner interested and attracted.
- A Girlfriend’s Influence – Let’s be honest—most guys won’t upgrade their grooming routine unless someone encourages them. Girlfriends often introduce better skincare, stylish clothing, and overall self-care tips.
- Boost in Confidence – Looking better makes a guy feel better. When he sees the positive reactions from his partner, he’s more motivated to keep up the effort.
- Fear of Being “That Guy” – Nobody wants to be the scruffy, unkempt boyfriend who looks like he just rolled out of bed. Guys realize that maintaining good grooming habits keeps the relationship fresh and attractive.
4. The Funny Reality – Before vs. After Dating
Let’s compare a guy’s lifestyle before and after he enters a relationship.
| Category | Single Life | Dating Life |
|---|---|---|
| Beard & Hair | Wild, unkempt | Trimmed, stylish |
| Fashion Sense | Basic and lazy | Thoughtful and trendy |
| Skincare Routine | Nonexistent | Uses at least 3 products |
| Cologne & Fragrance | Rarely used | Always smells fresh |
| Gym Routine | “I’ll start next month” | Works out regularly |
| Selfies & Photos | Avoids them | Takes cute couple pictures |
5. When the Relationship Matures – Will He Go Back to Old Habits?
At the beginning of a relationship, effort levels are at their peak. But what happens after months (or years) of dating?
Three Possible Scenarios:
- He Keeps Up the Grooming Routine – Some guys embrace their new self-care habits and continue maintaining their well-groomed look.
- He Relaxes but Stays Presentable – After a while, he might loosen up but still put in effort for special occasions.
- Back to Single Mode – Once he’s comfortable, he stops trying altogether—and the beard, messy hair, and lazy outfits return.
Most long-term relationships find a balance, where a guy maintains some level of effort without going overboard.
6. The Takeaway – Effort Is Key, But Comfort Matters Too
There’s nothing wrong with guys taking a relaxed approach when they’re single. And there’s nothing wrong with stepping up their grooming game when dating. But the key is balance—it’s important to look good and feel good, whether single or in a relationship.
At the end of the day, whether a guy is single or taken, confidence and personality matter most. But let’s be honest—keeping a well-groomed appearance never hurts!
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