He Gave Me an Apron as a Bonus, So I Divorced Him

“What? You don’t like it?”

Sean Lowe’s voice turned cold, but he did not lower the hand he held in the air.

The relatives and friends around us stopped eating. Dozens of eyes fixed on me with mocking amusement.

My mother-in-law let out a sarcastic snort. “You don’t know how lucky you are. This apron is made from imported fabric and costs at least a thousand dollars!”

“Exactly, Suzanne. You’re not jealous because I got a Porsche, are you?”

Sarah Lowe waved the car keys in her hand, her face full of smug pride. “My brother said it was for those who had made significant contributions. What contribution have you made by staying home and cooking?”

I stared at the apron emblazoned with the words “Perfect Wife and Mother” and found it painfully glaring.

When Sean’s business venture failed, he was buried in debt.

I secretly sold our first home without telling my parents and pawned all the jewelry my grandmother left me. That was how I raised enough money to help him make a comeback.

Back then, he held me in his arms and cried, swearing that once his company went public, he would make me the happiest woman in the world.

Now, his company had truly gone public.

He became a CEO, his mother became the family matriarch, and his sister became a socialite.

As for me, I became the “perfect wife” who was expected to gratefully accept an apron.

Linda, the housekeeper, covered her mouth as she laughed nearby. She clutched the $20,000 cheque tightly in her hand.

The look in her eyes made it seem as if she were the lady of the house and I were an ungrateful servant.

“Take it. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”

Sean was growing impatient. He shoved the gift box into my arms.

“You know the company just went public, so funds are tight. This apron represents my recognition of your position in the family.

“You’ll be responsible for managing everything at home from now on.”

He turned around and continued drinking with his relatives without sparing me another glance.

I held the lightweight box in my arms, feeling cold all over.

Funds were tight?

They were not tight when he bought his mother a $4-million penthouse.

They were not tight when he gave his sister a $300,000 sports car.

They were not tight when he gave the housekeeper a $20,000 red packet.

Yet when it came to me, all I got was an apron worth a thousand dollars and the excuse that funds were tight.

I took a deep breath and forced back my tears.

“Linda, go heat up the soup,” my mother-in-law ordered imperiously.

Linda did not move.

Instead, she looked at me. “Oh, Mrs. Lowe, Sean just said that all the housework belongs to his wife from now on. I just received my bonus, and my hands are still shaking. I’m afraid I might burn myself.”

My mother-in-law immediately sympathized with her. “That’s right. Linda has worked hard all year. Sit down and eat.”

Then her wrinkled face turned toward me, and her expression darkened at once.

“Suzanne, what are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear that Linda can’t use her hands right now? Hurry up and heat the soup! Everyone is waiting to drink it!”

Sean was toasting his uncle when he heard that. He merely glanced at me.

“Go. Don’t make Mom angry.”

I looked at the family’s self-righteous faces and dug my fingers tightly into the edge of the gift box.

It turned out that my position in this family was even lower than that of a highly paid housekeeper.

I silently turned and walked toward the kitchen.

Behind me, Sarah’s mocking voice rang out. “See? I told you she was born to be a maid. That apron will suit her perfectly.”

The entire room burst into laughter.

Amid the sound of running water in the kitchen, I heard my heart shatter.