Bonus for Another

When Nia found me, I was just leaving the company after a day’s work.

I had just undergone a heart bypass surgery, so I was supposed to be resting on doctor’s orders, but I still dove straight into work after I was discharged.

Today was my seventh wedding anniversary with Nia. That was also why I left the hospital early.

After I booked a high-class restaurant to surprise her, however, I called her and found out my number had been blocked.

As I was going through my phone in frustration, I suddenly saw Jonah’s Instagram story. It included a picture of a multi-million dollar luxury car, and the caption, “I love my job, but I love my boss even more!”

He obviously could not afford that car on his salary.

I smiled exasperatedly. It was obvious that Nia bought it for him.

The moment I liked the story, though, he blocked it. The next second, Nia called to yell at me.

“Jonah just signed a huge contract, so I gave him a little reward. Did you have to scold him on Instagram over something like that? Don’t push your limits just because I’m kind to you!”

I heard Jonah blaming himself and my wife Nia comforting him on the other side of the phone. Before I could say anything else, she hung up on me and blocked my number.

I laughed self-deprecatingly. After so many years of marriage, Nia should know my character by now, even if she did not love me. Would I ever stoop so low as to insult Jonah online?

The next instant, Jonah posted a screenshot of a million-dollar transfer. I knew that was Nia’s way of consoling and compensating him.

This time, however, I did not care anymore. She could misunderstand me however she liked. It did not matter.

In a manner of speaking, I might have to thank Jonah. If it were not for him, I would not have known where Nia went.

To distract myself, I had gone back to the office to work overtime, trying to numb myself with work. To my surprise, however, Nia confronted me even there.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, she stormed up to me. “I thought your company didn’t have overtime! Are you hiding out here because you wanted to escape the chores at home?

“I didn’t even have a hot meal at home after a long day’s work. Do you want me to starve?!”

She never picked me up from work before. And here I thought she finally grew a conscience.

On the contrary, she came all the way here to yell at me!

I looked at her. “You were so busy that I assumed you weren’t coming home tonight.”

Before, I would rush home after work to cook and clean for her. She said her clothes had to be hand-washed, so I would patiently wash her dirty clothes after she went to bed.

I was constantly worried she would be mad at me, but she never once respected me. Now, I finally realized that putting in the effort did not mean my love would be reciprocated.

Maybe my words pricked at Nia’s conscience, because she did not harp on that any further. Instead, she went into her car and pulled out a gift box. There was a Rolex watch inside.

“Here, your anniversary gift. Open it!”

However, I could not muster any joy at all upon seeing the box. It had obviously been opened by someone else before, and that person was obviously Jonah.

I did not open the box, getting into the car wordlessly.

Nia was a little annoyed at my attitude. “Dylan Shea, why are you throwing a tantrum for this time? I just scolded you a bit earlier today, but it was your fault to begin with!”

I glanced at her. “I’m not in the habit of accepting other people’s leftovers.”

Nia was a smart woman, so she knew what I meant. Even so, she huffed indignantly, “Who said this was a leftover? The packaging’s just a little damaged. You’re such a pain!”

The next second, though, her phone rang with a text notification, and she could not suppress her smile. Even her tone was much gentler. “You’re always overthinking. Fine, I’ll get you another gift later. Happy now?”

I did not have high hopes for her presents anymore, so I merely shrugged. “Sure. If you’re busy, you can just drop me off at home first.”

Nia frowned. “It isn’t that far. Can’t you just walk home? Or are you trying to delay me on purpose because you know I’m busy?”

A while ago, I would have angrily demanded who she was going to meet. However, I could not afford to lose my temper so soon after the surgery, and I could not be bothered to argue with her, either.

“You’re the one who’s overthinking. I’m just too tired today. If it isn’t convenient for you, I’ll just call a cab.”

I sighed again. If my surgery scar was not still sore, and if my doctor had not advised me to take it easy, I never would have asked her for a lift.

When I gave up, though, Nia quickly compromised. “Fine, I’ll send you home. But don’t push your limits any more than that!”

I nodded without a word.