Chapter 1: The Box at the Bottom

My husband and I bought a box of unclaimed packages just for fun — but the last package had been addressed to my husband 15 years ago, during the first year of our marriage, and when he saw it, he froze.

You know those videos where people buy huge boxes filled with unclaimed packages and open them on camera?

My husband, Caleb, and I became obsessed with them.

For about a month, we watched people unpack everything from cheap gadgets to surprisingly expensive items, so two weeks ago, we finally ordered a box ourselves.

It arrived yesterday, and after dinner, we dragged it into the living room and started going through everything.

Most of it was exactly what you'd expect: phone cases, kitchen gadgets, and clothes we'd never wear.

We spent almost an hour laughing until there was only one package left at the bottom.

It looked much older than the others, with faded cardboard and a yellowed shipping label.

I picked it up, but then I noticed the name.

Caleb's full name was printed on the label, along with the address of the apartment we'd lived in fifteen years ago, during the first year of our marriage.

"Caleb...

this was sent to you."

The moment he saw it, all the color drained from his face.

I reached for the edge of the package, but Caleb suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Don't open it."

I stared at him.

"Why not?"

"Just leave it alone.

Please."

I laughed, still thinking he was being strangely dramatic.

"This is from the first year of our marriage.

What, have you been hiding some huge secret from me for fifteen years?"

Caleb didn't laugh.

Instead, he asked me again not to open it.

Still convinced there had to be some ridiculous explanation, I grabbed the package and headed for the bathroom.

Caleb followed me down the hall, begging me to stop, but I slipped inside and locked the door.

"Please," he said from the other side.

"You don't understand."

Even then, part of me thought the whole thing had to be some bizarre joke.

I tore through the old tape and opened the box.

But the second I saw what was inside, my smile disappeared.

I just stood there staring down at it, too sh0cked to move.

---

What was inside that box?

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And what has Caleb been hiding for fifteen years?

Comment **"NEXT"** if you want Part 2 — it's in the comments below.