First: missing payroll is a BIG DEAL. The business depends on the employees. Maybe look at the whole payroll process. Are you paperless? Can you send the paycheck to their phones with and emailed "stub"? Do you do a lot of the bookkeeping?

If you have a business together you will sometimes have to make decisions that are right for the business and there are no "sides".

Keeping yourself afloat is always the most important thing. You can't be there for anyone else if you aren't there for yourself.

Have that long talk with your husband when he comes back. The business needs a plan for emergencies.