The story centers on a wealthy married man who begins an affair with a woman from Italy. Their relationship takes a complicated turn when the woman reveals that she is expecting a child. The man, concerned about his marriage and public image, is forced to make a quick decision to prevent the situation from becoming public knowledge.

To resolve the matter discreetly, he offers the woman a substantial amount of money to return to Italy, where she can give birth privately. In addition, he promises to provide consistent financial support for the child until adulthood, as long as she agrees to raise the child quietly and away from the public eye.

The woman accepts the arrangement, but she asks how she should inform him once the baby is born. Wanting to keep communications simple and secretive, the man suggests that she send a postcard containing a single coded word that only he would understand.

He instructs her to write the word “Spaghetti” on the back of the postcard when the child is born. This word would serve as their private signal, allowing him to recognize the message without anyone else suspecting its meaning.

Several months later, the man returns home from a business trip to an unexpected scene. His wife, holding a postcard from Italy, appears confused by the mysterious message it contains. The situation sets up a moment of tension, as the man realizes that his attempt to conceal the affair may have failed.

The story ends on an ambiguous and ironic note, leaving readers to imagine the man’s reaction as he faces the consequences of his secret being accidentally revealed through his own coded plan.