At 34 weeks pregnant, I was fast asleep when I was suddenly jolted awake by my husband Daniel’s frantic cries of “Fire!” My heart pounded as I rushed downstairs, fearing for my life and my baby. But when I reached the living room, I found Daniel laughing with his friends. It was a prank—one they’d planned to play on me, knowing how deeply I was haunted by a fire tragedy from my childhood.I was furious, terrified, and heartbroken all at once,
Daniel’s laughter made me feel small and foolish. I had repeatedly told him how deeply my fear of fires ran, and he had always dismissed my worries. But this time, he took it too far. His friends laughed while I was left to face the fear I had carried for years—fear that had been triggered once again.I locked myself in our bedroom, crying and trying to collect my thoughts. I felt utterly betrayed. I called my dad, who immediately came over to support me.