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Your Generosity Came at My Expense
Your Generosity Came at My Expense
Author: Vision

Chapter 1

Author: Vision
"Nina, dinner's ready."

I heard Adrian call and hung up before heading downstairs.

I sat down at the dining table and glanced at the food. It was all Jenna's favorite food—rich, greasy, and spicy.

Jenna cried out, "Adrian! You remembered how much I love this food! This Cajun restaurant is far away, isn't it? The delivery fee alone can't be cheap."

Adrian chuckled and handed her a wet wipe. "Your internship has been exhausting. You don't get to eat here often, so of course we should serve what you like."

I looked at Adrian. "I was diagnosed with gallbladder polyps last month. The doctor told me to avoid greasy and spicy foods."

His hand froze for a moment before he reached for another bite. "I'm sorry, Nina. I forgot. There's some leftover oatmeal in the fridge. I'll heat it up for you."

As he busied himself in the kitchen, Jenna sighed. "Nina, you're so lucky. Adrian is always so considerate, both with you and those of us who work under him."

Thoughtful?

Not when it came to me.

He remembered Jenna's casual remark that she hadn't eaten Cajun cuisine in ages and ordered a whole tableful.

I had told him about my gallbladder polyps three times, face-to-face, and he still forgot.

Early in our marriage, Adrian would go from pharmacy to pharmacy looking for medicine for my stomach. Every morning, he'd prepare it and leave it on my nightstand.

Now, even after I told him something three times, he still forgot.

After dinner, Jenna sat in the living room talking to Adrian.

She said the internship had been exhausting and she wanted to see a show that weekend to unwind.

Adrian took out his phone. "I'll buy the tickets. What do you want to see? VIP seats or standard ones?"

Jenna declined with a smile. "VIP seats cost nearly a thousand dollars. That's too expensive. Standard seats are fine."

"If you're going, you should get the best view. You've worked hard. You deserve to treat yourself."

He bought Jenna VIP tickets without hesitation. Yet two weeks earlier, I'd wanted to see a play that cost just 180 dollars. He'd said, "Why do you have to see a play live? Isn't watching a recording at home the same thing?"

After Jenna left, I sat on the couch and checked our credit card statement. Two VIP tickets cost 1,800 dollars.

Today's takeout was 580 dollars. Jenna's birthday a few days earlier had cost 28,000 dollars. In just a few days, Adrian had spent over 30,000 dollars on her.

I stared at the screen for a long time, then opened his budgeting app.

He always used the birthday of someone close to him as his password.

I tried my birthday. Wrong. Then his. Wrong.

Finally, I tried Jenna's.

The app unlocked.
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  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 8

    The divorce went more smoothly than I expected. Adrian didn't contest anything.When the divorce decree arrived, we saw each other for the first time in a month.He had lost a lot of weight, with deep dark circles under his eyes.He pushed an envelope toward me. "This is all the salary you handed over to me during our three years together. I added the interest it would've earned in the bank. The rest is compensation. Take it."I looked at the envelope, then at him. "What I wanted was never money. Even now, you still don't understand that."He was silent for a long time before he laughed. "Yeah. I never understood it."We talked for a long time. Before leaving, he turned to me. "Nina, remember to eat properly."After a pause, he added, "I'm sorry. Not just about the money. I'm sorry for everything."It was the most he'd sounded like a husband in our three years of marriage. Too bad he wasn't my husband anymore.Three months after the divorce, a friend messaged me. "Nina, Adrian quit his

  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 7

    One evening, I left work and saw Adrian sitting on the edge of a planter across from the entrance.The wind was strong, and he wasn't dressed warmly enough.When he saw me, he stood, his lips pale. "Nina."I stopped on the steps and looked at him from a distance. "What are you doing here again?"After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely. "After you left, I went through our accounts. For three years, I cut your spending as much as I could. I told myself it was all for our future."But you spent less than 20,000 dollars in those three years. I spent 28,000 dollars on a single birthday for Jenna."I knew it hurt you, but I told myself it didn't matter. I thought you loved me too much to ever leave."He looked up at me. "Nina, I wasn't frugal. I took what should've been yours and gave it to her. You never complained, so I took your sacrifices for granted. Now I understand. Every time I was generous to someone else, you paid the price. I'm sorry."I stood on the steps and listened, but felt not

  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 6

    I saw Adrian again three months later.I had just left my office when I saw him outside with a bouquet of flowers.He ran toward me, delighted. "Nina, these are for you.""Adrian, I don't like them."He froze. "You always asked me to buy you baby's breath for your birthday. I'm sorry. I thought you liked it.""I like tulips. I only asked for baby's breath because it was cheaper."His expression faltered, but he quickly recovered. He took out a bank card and held it out to me. "There's 200,000 dollars in this account. Take it and buy whatever you want. I'll never restrict your spending again."I didn't take it. "Adrian, do you think this is about money?"He continued as if he hadn't heard. "If you like this city, I'll apply for a transfer here to be with you. Okay?""We're never getting back together." I looked at him coldly. "Go home. Don't come back.""Nina, I've explained everything. There really is nothing between Jenna and me.""Adrian." I cut him off calmly."I don't care if there

  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 5

    By the time Adrian returned home after helping Jenna move, it was dark.He opened the door to a pitch-black apartment.He called my name out of habit, but no one answered. He turned on the light and froze.My slippers were gone from the shoe cabinet, and my coat was gone from the rack.He rushed into the bedroom and found my half of the closet empty.Our wedding rings and divorce agreement sat on the nightstand.His hands shook as he picked up the agreement. He called me over and over, but I didn't answer.Finally, he called my mother. "Is Nina with you?"Her voice was flat. "Adrian, Nina left. She asked me to tell you that her lawyer will contact you."She hung up before he could answer.The apartment was so quiet he could hear the refrigerator hum.A yellowish notepad was stuck to the refrigerator door. It was our household budget for the month.Every expense was recorded down to the dollar.Early the next morning, Adrian went to my parents' house.My mother glanced at what he was ca

  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 4

    That night, I packed my bags and moved back in with my parents.For four days, he didn't come looking for me.I got a job offer from a design firm in another city.The night I booked my flight, my parents were still trying to change my mind. "Nina, are you sure? A man who saves is better than one who spends recklessly. Can't you two talk this through?""His frugality was always at my expense, Mom. Adrian and I have nothing left to talk about."On the day I left, Adrian texted me. "Today's your follow-up appointment, isn't it? Should I pick you up this afternoon?"I didn't reply, so he called. "Nina, can we talk?""There's nothing left to talk about.""I promised I'd limit my contact with Jenna. This time, I wanted to ask for your opinion. Jenna is still short on moving funds. I'd like to cover the difference. Her new place also needs furniture, so I'll pay for that, too."Even now, all he wanted to talk about was Jenna.I laughed, no longer willing to argue. "Do whatever you want."A l

  • Your Generosity Came at My Expense   Chapter 3

    My mother didn't tell me to talk things through with Adrian again.I began preparing my divorce papers and applied for several jobs in other cities.That evening, a friend called. "Nina, I just ran into your husband at the mall. He said he upset you yesterday and was picking out an apology gift for you."Before I could answer, she continued, "He also said he's throwing Jenna a farewell party for the end of her internship. He should be home to pick you up soon, right? We're waiting at the restaurant!"Just then, Adrian walked in. "Did you go to your follow-up appointment today?""No...""It's okay that you missed it. I'll reschedule it for you in a couple of days. I should be free this weekend." Adrian wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Get ready. I've invited my colleagues to dinner for Jenna's farewell party."I nodded. There were a few things I wanted to say in front of everyone anyway.I got into his car. The diffuser smelled of sandalwood, a scent I'd told him many times I ha

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