When I returned from a grueling business trip, I expected my husband, David, to meet me at the airport. Instead, he chose to help a friend’s wife. Furious and hurt, I hatched a plan to teach him a lesson about priorities.

After landing, I texted David, but his response shattered me: he was giving Jenny a ride. Infuriated, I called Mark, who came to pick me up. On the drive home, I vented to him, and we devised a plan.

That evening, I prepared an elaborate dinner and invited Mark. When David saw Mark at the table, he realized my point. Throughout dinner, I praised Mark’s reliability, making David visibly uncomfortable. After Mark left, I confronted David, explaining my frustration.

David admitted he hadn’t realized how much his actions hurt me. Over the following weeks, he made a conscious effort to prioritize our relationship, leaving work early and checking in more often.

One evening, months later, David got a call: Jenny was in early labor. Instead of rushing to help, he called Mark to assist, keeping his promise to prioritize our relationship. As we awaited news together, I felt a deep connection with David.

When we learned Jenny had delivered safely, David reaffirmed his commitment to us. From then on, our relationship grew stronger as he balanced helping others with being there for me, showing he truly understood the importance of being present.