1. A Life-Changing Struggle
A Reddit user shared his emotional journey after surviving a severe degenerative disease that left him with drastically reduced abilities. The man, married and grateful to still have his wife, had lost nearly ten years of his life to surgeries, medications, and constant pain. He could walk only short distances and carry minimal weight, but despite these hardships, he believed love remained his one constant.

2. Support and Assumptions
His wife went above and beyond to care for him, and he often reminded her to speak up if helping him became too exhausting. Because she never complained directly, he assumed she had no issues with the situation. Her support had always been a source of comfort amid his daily struggles.

3. A Painful Discovery
One day, while putting on his shoes, he overheard his wife talking to a friend. She confessed she was tired of being his “babysitter” and admitted, “I’d give anything to be able to have sex with a real man again.” The words shattered him, leaving him questioning his worth and his identity as a husband.

4. A Plan Born of Hurt
Inconsolably hurt, he walked into the kitchen to make his presence known and decided to deal with his emotions alone. He resolved to make things easier for his wife by portraying himself as the villain, planning to invent an affair so she could feel free to pursue happiness without guilt.

5. Advice from Others
Reddit users advised him not to rush into such drastic measures, reminding him that people often vent frustrations in private without reflecting their true feelings. One commenter shared that a loved one might say hurtful things while still holding deep love and commitment.

6. Painful Resolve
Despite the advice, the man remained determined to sacrifice his own happiness to help his wife. He believed the fabricated affair would liberate her from guilt and judgment, freeing her from the burdens of caring for him, even if it meant inflicting pain on himself.