Happy Birthday, Ex-Wife

The night Caramel's husband decided to destroy her started like a celebration.

"Please, let's welcome on stage with me...my beautiful wife, Caramel!" Boney called out with a smile as he looked in the direction of his wife. When he called her name, applause had instantly erupted in the room. 

Caramel froze for a second, then she glanced around as if to confirm she hadn't misheard. And yes- Everyone was already on their feet, looking at her while still clapping. Even her parents were there. 

 Her chest warmed up. She felt shy but smiled anyway because she was genuinely happy tonight. Just hours ago , she had thought her husband forgot her birthday. The tension that has been in their marriage lately made it easy for her to believe that.

But then he surprised her. She stood, smoothed her dress and walked towards the stage, still smiling. Her hand brushed lightly over her stomach instinctively.

Her husband didn't know yet. She had planned to tell him tonight. Not right now but when they were finally alone. Though she didn't know yet how to say it or what his reaction would be but she couldn't keep it from him forever.

When she got close to the stage, Boney reached out his hands to her with a look that felt almost affectionate. That alone made her pause.

She looked at his hands, then back at him. He hadn't looked at her like that in a while and had not being so warm either. It was like he became a different man when they got married, unlike their courtship days. 

There had been a distance. But tonight? It was different. And that was when she should have paid more attention but then, she didn't.

Because that look... that warmth... it was exactly everything she had been craving. So she ignored the unease and let herself enjoy the moment while it lasted.

She took his hand and he helped her up the steps, slow and carefully. He guided her to the center of the stage.

The room quieted immediately they stood together. The applause faded and was replaced by silence and rapt attention. 

Some people had held up their phones with their cameras recording. Caramel didn't think much of it because that was normal at events like that.

Boney let go of her hand and turned slightly to face the audience. He cleared his throat, dramatically and few people laughed.

"Firstly, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made this night possible. " he paused. "I really couldn't have pulled this off without you all being here to celebrate my wife."

He looked at Caramel, beside him again and kissed her cheek. Murmurs and "awwwns" filled the room in seconds, with quiet laughter.

Caramel glanced at him, confused...but still smiling. Something felt off.

"So tonight..." he continued, "I want to give her something meaningful. Something she'll never forget about." 

Caramel smile stayed, quietly eager but also quite uneasy. It felt like there was an underlying meaning to his words. She told herself she was overthinking and should just flow with the night. 

He reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. It was simple and plain and he held it out to her.

"A gift," he said. She let out a small breath and gave a smile that didn't reach her eyes, trying to contain her surprise.

An envelope? What type of gift could be inside an envelope? Maybe a love letter or something personal...she thought. 

She took it anyways and their fingers brushed. She turned the envelope in her hand before opening. There was no name written on it and absolutely nothing to hint at what was inside. 

"What's in it?" She asked almost in a whisper. He didn't answer. He just gestured for her to open it and find out. 

He watched her as she slid a finger under the flap and opened it carefully. She pulled out the paper, unfolded it slowly and read it.

 Her eyes moved over the first line, then the next. And just like that... her smile started fading. Then it got to a point, it disappeared completely.

The words before her eyes didn't make sense to her at all. She blinked and read it again, maybe her brain would finally process it. 

Her grip tightened around the paper. There had to be a mistake. There just had to be. She finally looked up to a satisfied and half smiling, Boney, who was watching her break slowly.

"Keep reading." he whispered.

Murmurs started in the audience as everyone was getting confused and curious at the same time.

Caramel's vision blurred, her eyes were already filling. Her chest tightened painfully like she had been pricked by a needle, even though she didn't fully understand what was going on yet. 

She looked at the audience, eyes landing on her parents. Then she looked back down, forcing herself to focus but the words didn't change.

It still read: DIVORCE in bold letters. Like Boney had filed for a divorce? Her hands started shaking.

This wasn't real...it couldn't be. She looked at Boney again, her voice barely holding.

"This...this must be a mistake."

His smile dropped and his face changed so fast, Caramel stomach turned. She couldn't recognize the man standing before her again. 

He scoffed then moved closer to her, leaned in and whispered against her ears.

"Happy birthday, ex-wife" His lips curved faintly.

"Are you ready for the next gift?"