“Ethan, what is this really?” I asked, almost whispering.
He took a deep breath. “I’m helping my brother… Noah. He has a rare illness. He’s being treated in Japan. He doesn’t have money. I’m shouldering the costs. The parcels—medication, parts for medical equipment, special supplies—it’s all for his treatment. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to think I was prioritizing them over our family. I didn’t want to add to your stress.”
I paused. I hadn’t expected that. I was about to go and hug him when the police chief spoke. “Ma’am, Sir… Noah has already coordinated with us. Everything being sent is legal. There was just a mistake because another shipment involved in illegal activity overlapped with the tracking. The wrong address was flagged.”
A huge weight suddenly lifted from my chest. “So he wasn’t doing anything wrong?” I asked. “No, Ma’am,” the police replied. “In fact, your husband is making a huge sacrifice.”
Ethan sat beside me after the police left. “Love… I’m truly sorry. I really didn’t want to keep it a secret. I just didn’t want to see you suffer. I wanted to bear the burden alone.” He shed tears. I had never seen him so heavy-hearted.
I cupped his face. “Ethan… I don’t need a perfect life. What I need is the truth. You should have told me. You shouldn’t have carried it alone.”
He hugged me tightly, as if he could finally breathe.
A few weeks later, one last parcel arrived. But this time, we opened it together. Inside, there was a picture frame and a letter. A photo of Noah, smiling even in a hospital gown. There was a message:
“Kuya Ethan and Ate, thank you. My improvement is significant. I will never forget your kindness.”
I teared up reading it. I hugged Ethan. “Love… from now on, if any problem arises, we will open it together. You are not alone.”
He smiled and took a deep breath. “At least,” he said, laughing, “we can be sure the next knock won’t be the police.”
I playfully hit him with a pillow, and for the first time after so many weeks of anxiety… we laughed together. Sometimes, the secrets we fear will destroy a relationship are the very things that pave the way for stronger trust.
And on that day, we both knew:
There was no parcel or knock we couldn’t face—together.