Novel & Cerita My Husband's Affair, My Anniversary Gift

"Still at your deepest thoughts, Abigail. You missed our daughters that much, huh?" I didn't talk back to my husband. I just stared at him. We're on our bedroom balcony. Simping out hot coffee while the weather is gloomy This is the right time to mesmerize yourself with such things and go back to those old days that have had a large impact on my life right now. "Happy 24th wedding anniversary, Babe." I was stunned for a moment when I heard it uttered by my husband. He then handed me an album that made my forehead knit. I overtook it and opened

Lately, things have been distant between us, but I refuse to believe our marriage has lost its fire. I glance at the elegantly wrapped gift on my vanity and smile to myself. It’s a personalized watch, engraved with Forever, S & N. A small token, a reminder of our promises. Maybe this will rekindle something in him, remind him of the nights we spent laughing over cheap wine and takeout before success consumed us. I smooth down my dress, grab my purse, and head out, heart fluttering with anticipation.

I was tempted to flip him the middle finger and get this annulment done and over it, but desperate times called for desperate measures. "I can pay you!" He snorted, "I doubt any amount of money would make me want to alter my Christmas plans." "A thousand dollars?" I asked slowly. I didn't have that amount, but my bestfriend's parents were rich and she could loan me the money. I hoped. "No," his jaw clenched in annoyance. "Free dog grooming?" Jeanne jumped in. "I don't have a dog. I don't even like animals." Apparently, my husband was also a red flag. And it was time to bring out the big guns.

I had learned to play the part of the perfect husband at Windemere family dinners, to survive with a polite smile amidst lies and schemes. "I got you a gift," I said, picking up a fine blue box from the sofa and sliding it toward her. The box was light. Inside were the shredded pieces of our wedding photo. Madeline took it, her face lighting up with that surprised expression I once thought was genuine. "What's the special occasion? Did I forget something?" She didn't open it, instead placing it on the coffee table and leaning in to kiss my cheek. I took a step back, maintaining a perfect smile. "You really don't remember, Madeline? It's our fifth wedding anniversary."

I said, my voice flattening. “My husband has never given me a single gift in Sixyears of being together” “It was from a secret admirer in college. Small gifts here and there. This bracelet was the last one.” I looked down at it without meaning to. “I never found out who it was. I’ve worn it every day since because it was the first gift anyone ever gave me that felt like it was actually meant for me.” I reached down to gather my bag and straightened up. “I need to go,” I said, clearing my throat. “I need to take a proper shower. It’s been a catastrophic evening.”

The string quartet was playing their song. Sophia Ward sat across from her husband in the same corner booth where he’d proposed five years ago, and she watched him slide an envelope across the white tablecloth with the same steady hand that used to cup her face when he kissed her goodnight. She smiled. She actually smiled. Because the envelope was thick and cream-colored and tied with a thin gold ribbon, and their anniversary was three days away, and Marcus Hale had never once been early with a gift but maybe—maybe this year, he was trying.

Marcus said, climbing off Isabelle, with the casual indifference of someone who’d been caught eating the last slice of cake, not destroying his marriage. “I wanted to surprise you.” My voice shook so badly I barely recognized it. “It’s our anniversary. Three years. I made dinner reservations at Marcello’s. I bought you a gift. I…” I looked down at my hands. The expensive watch I had to save for six months of overtime shifts at the hospital, was still in my purse. I’d been so excited to give it to him. So stupidly, pathetically excited. “Oh, sweetie.” Isabelle’s voice was sickeningly sweet as she stretched like a satisfied cat. “Did no one tell you?”

“But it pays.” He didn’t ask what I did. I appreciated that. “So,” he said, glancing at my drink, “what brings a woman like you to a place like this?” I could’ve lied. I almost did. But there was something in his voice gentle, disarming. I caught my husband of ten years cheating on me with my sister. And the worst part? It happened on our anniversary. Right now, I just need to get away from it all. Leave the past behind. Start over in Vegas.

I felt like throwing up, following the sound that led to his bedroom. I really hope that what I’m hearing is p**n and not what I’m thinking. I mean it would be bad too. But it’s a lesser of two evils. If he wanted to stay home and watch p**n why plan a dinner, why send a dress and all. It’s our anniversary today, two years together. He wouldn’t do that to me… would he? He told me he loves me. We are supposed to get married and spend the rest of our lives together right? He sent a fucking dress!

My best friend Ava walked to me with the cufflinks I had ordered; they were worth a lot and also the best gift idea I could come up with. “Thanks,” I smiled at her and noticed she was staring at me with her tight look, one that says she has something to say but is scared I will get upset. “Just say it,” I snorted, and she sat next to me. “You are making a lot of preparations for your anniversary, but your husband doesn’t even know it’s your anniversary. I mean, should you really be renewing your vows today?” She questioned, and I smacked my lips. “He is busy with work; you know he just got a new case, right?” I questioned, Caleb had a law firm and was also an experienced lawyer. Recently he