During winter break, I secretly signed up for the Wildwood Campers trip my wife always went on.
I wanted to surprise her.
Only to find out she was staying in the same tent as another man.
At the registration desk, the receptionist said to a man:
“Mr. Brooks, Ms. Hayes is in Tent #3.”
The man nodded.
“I always keep Bree waiting.”
“Good thing I brought her something special this time.”
The receptionist smiled.
“You’re really romantic.”
“Two years in a row, and every time you come here, you bring her a surprise.”
My heart skipped a beat.
After the man left, I walked over.
The names registered for Tent #3 were “Bree” and “Brantli Brooks.”
Bree was my wife’s name.
The moment I saw it, my chest tightened.
For a moment, I tried to convince myself it was just a coincidence.
Maybe someone simply had the same name.
The receptionist looked at me.
“Sir, I haven’t seen you before.”
“Is this your first time here?”
I snapped back to reality.
“Yeah.”
“So, which tent would you like?”
My eyes landed on the spot closest to Tent #3.
I forced myself to stay calm.
“Tent #4.”
The receptionist covered her mouth and laughed softly.
“Are you sure?”
“Honestly, no one really wants Tent #4.”
“Why?”
“Because Tent #4 is the closest to Tent #3.”
“Mr. Brooks and Ms. Hayes are extremely close.”
“You might hear some… sounds at night that could keep you awake.”
“Are you sure you want to stay there?”
I didn’t answer right away.
I kept my voice steady and asked,
“Do they come here often?”
“Often?”
She smiled.
“They come here all the time.”
“They’re lifetime members of Wildwood Campers.”
“I’ve worked here for two years.”
“Everyone knows Wildwood Campers has the sweetest couple.”
“People even come here just to see them together.”
“And honestly…”
“They’re one of the reasons this place has become so popular.”
“They’re our lucky charm.”
My stomach twisted.
Two years.
A perfect couple.
Everyone knew.
Except me.
Two years ago, Bree signed up for Wildwood Campers for the first time.
I still remembered it.
Back then, my work was at a critical stage.
I was constantly working overtime.
Bree said she was bored, so she signed up for Wildwood Campers.
After that trip, she started coming here whenever I was busy.
I thought it was just her hobby.
I never imagined…
She had been creating a secret life here with another man.
The receptionist spoke again.
“Sir, are you still planning to stay in Tent #4?”
I looked toward Tent #3.
A shadow moved behind the tent wall.
“Yes.”
Seeing how determined I was, the receptionist didn’t say anything else.
She wrote my name under Tent #4 on the registration form.
As I walked past Tent #3, I heard voices from inside.
“Bree…”
“I missed you so much.”
“It’s been a whole week since we saw each other.”
“Brantli, don’t rush.”
“Remember to use a condom.”
My chest tightened.
That was my wife’s voice.
There was no mistaking it.
The man’s voice came again.
“There’s a Campfire Celebration tonight.”
“I prepared a gift for you.”
“I’ll surprise you later.”
“Brantli, love you!”
I couldn’t listen anymore.
My heart was already broken.
I walked into Tent #4.