Claire never expected to arrive home to discover Adam and his ex-wife tearing up their perfect garden. Their desperate murmurs and soil-smeared palms revealed multiple truths. She saw Adam’s flaws as she faced them.

Men cheat with coworkers, neighbors, even exes, I’ve heard. But I never thought I’d have to wonder if my husband, Adam, was one of them.

I always thought Adam was the sweetest, most trustworthy man I’d encountered, the kind you trust completely.

A common buddy introduced us two years ago. Just ended a five-year relationship that left me hollow and insecure. I wasn’t seeking for somebody new after being emotionally hurt. Adam was like fresh air in a smoke-filled room.

His patience and attention began with our first talk. He never looked at his phone or the clock while I talked about my day. I wondered, Is this real? Is this guy real?

Getting the flu one night early on won me over. Adam brought a thermos of homemade chicken soup and a flash drive of my fave rom-coms to my flat.

Everyone needs a little TLC while unwell, he replied with a modest, dimpled smile.

Then I thought, This is the man I’ve been waiting for.

I loved Adam’s nervous stammer when he was pressured or overwhelmed. I found it cute rather than embarrassing.

About a month into dating, he brought me out for our one-month anniversary. I remember him excitedly telling me about a new accounting software his firm was trying at a posh Italian restaurant where he had reservations.

“It’s gonna revolutionize how we handle client data,” he added, waving his fork. In an instant, the fork fell into his plate and splattered red sauce on his shirt.

A red flush covered his face. “I—I’m s-so sorry,” he mumbled, mortified. “I didn’t mean to…”

I stroked his hand and murmured, “It’s okay. Besides, red suits you.”

I remember that awkward, beautiful moment when we laughed.

Adam began talking about his ex-wife, Vanessa, as we got closer.

“She always wanted more,” he added, shaking his head. More money, stuff, and image. I felt like nothing I did was enough.”

He told me about credit card debt, weekend getaway fights, and fancy handbag fights.

He whispered, “I was drowning,” as we hugged on the couch. ‘She continued pulling me deeper down.

I wondered, How could somebody mistreat such a kind man?

After that, I determined never to be Vanessa. I would love Adam for himself, not his gifts.

Adam proposed a year into our relationship, and I accepted without hesitation. We had a simple, gorgeous wedding with passionate vows and a string-lit dance. Just us.

Last Tuesday. I visited my mom out of town over the weekend. I went at the grocery store on my way home to surprise Adam with his favorite dinner, spinach lasagna with lots of cheese.

However, the sight as I turned into our driveway made me brake hard.

Two people were digging in my neatly kept flower garden in our front yard. Not just any pair.

It was Adam. And Vanessa.

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I froze. Sitting in the car, engine running. I half-expected the vision to vanish when I massaged my eyes. Actually, it was them. Adam and his ex-wife, sleeves up, dirt on their hands, excavating a hole in my garden.

What the hell happened?

Got out of the car and marched over.

“What’s up?” I demanded, tight hands and angry voice.

Adam’s head snapped. The color left his face.

“C-C-Claire,” he mumbled, dropping the shovel. “You’re home early.”

Stammering. Only when nervous did he do that. My stomach flipped.

Vanessa stood behind him, smugly removing dirt from her jeans like she owned the place.

I crossed my arms, glared. Can you explain?

Adam started to speak, but Vanessa interrupted.

“Oh you didn’t tell her?” Turning to him, she said. “Really? You didn’t inform your wife about the time capsule?

My head spun. “Time capsule?”

“Yes,” she responded objectively. “We buried one in this garden ten years ago when we lived here. We always promised to return for it.”

She showed a rusting metal box half-buried.

Adam nodded meekly. “We thought it would be fun to see what we put inside.”

I blinked. “So you dug up my garden for your nostalgia trip?”

“I-I’m sorry,” Adam said hurriedly. “I didn’t think it would upset you—”

“No,” I said. “You didn’t think.”

I ran inside the house on my heels. My chest felt tense with boiling wrath. I didn’t know what hurt more—the secret, the breach of trust, or Adam inviting his ex-wife without notifying me.

I roamed the living room like a caged animal. The front door creaked ten minutes later.

“Claire?” Adam called softly. “Can we talk?”

I entered the hall. They stood awkwardly with the muddy time capsule between them.

“What to talk about?” Asking with arms folded.

“We didn’t mean to upset you,” Vanessa added softly. “We buried this when we were younger and different people. We just wanted to look back. All done.”

I raised my hand. “You know? Fine. Remember all you want. Revisit memories. Do not expect me to participate.”

I pushed past them to the backyard. Hands shaking, heartbeat pounding in ears. I had to act.

I kindled a fire in our ancient fire pit. From the shed, I arranged wood neatly and kindled the flame.

They laughed weakly in the kitchen as the fire crackled, producing long orange shadows. They were going through the capsule.

I shouted, “Why don’t you bring that stuff out here?” while I watched the fire. We can have a lovely bonfire.”

Few minutes later, they joined me in the yard. Adam set the package near me.

“This is kinda cozy,” he observed cautiously.

I remained silent. I took several faded photos, handwritten notes, and a mix CD called “Our Summer” from the capsule.

One instant, I held the memories. Without saying anything, I threw them in the flames.

Claire—what are you? Adam began but stopped when the paper’s edges caught fire.

Vanessa gasped. “You can’t burn that!”

“Why not?” I said, observing the flames. Burnt bridges should remain burned. No, you think?

Adam was dumbfounded. I faced him.

“Maybe it’s time to stop clinging to the past and build the life we should.”

We watched the time capsule turn to ash in quiet for a long time.

Vanessa retreated. “I think I should go,” she whispered.

Adam and I let her go without a word.

Adam glanced to me with guilty eyes as she left.

Claire, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt. I just… I didn’t know how to ask.”

Did you expect me to become mad? That I wouldn’t grasp? Kindly, I requested.

“I was scared,” he said. “Scared you’d think I was holding onto her or that part of my life. I thought I could dig it up and get rid of it while you were away. But I erred. Big time.”

I lingered on him. Adam, you broke my trust. And that takes time to heal.”

He nodded. “I know. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

I watched the fire go down as he returned to the house.

Garden destroyed. Overturned dirt, flowers damaged. Maybe that was a metaphor.

Like us, the garden may have needed replanting.

New dirt. New seeds. New beginning.

Only time will tell if we can regenerate something honest and durable.

I knew I would never look at Adam the same.