There it was—a photo of my living room. The floor-to-ceiling windows, the bunny stuffed animal, the couple’s ornaments, every single one chosen by me.
Caption: This is my boy’s compensation to his mama. Not bad. I’m satisfied. I’ll forgive him just this once.
And beneath it, Evander’s reply: As long as you like it. Tonight, let’s warm up the house. Everyone’s invited.
A housewarming? How could there be one? There were no gifts.
So, I prepared one.
I went back to the hospital, retrieved the unborn embryo, and placed it inside a velvet-lined gift box.
I hired people to hang banners up and down the building: “Congratulations on the Housewarming!” “Best Wishes for Eternal Happiness!”
A neighbor asked me, “Girl, is there a happy event in your family?”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, Auntie. My husband gave his wedding house to another woman, and I’m helping them celebrate.”
Her husband’s eyes lit up. He elbowed her and said, “See? Other wives aren’t so petty. Learn from her!”
Auntie slapped him across the face and dragged him inside by the ear.
I stood downstairs, passing out thick money envelopes. “Everyone is welcome to celebrate! One thousand five hundred dollars per person!”
I stroked my belly gently. “Consider it a blessing from our unborn child.”
In no time, the building was packed.
When the door finally opened, Evander had just lost a game and was being punished with a long kiss from Althea.
Seeing me, he shoved people aside, flustered. “Why are you here?”
I raised the little gift box, my smile calm, almost tender. “It’s a gift for you.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd behind me as dozens of phones were raised, screens flashing.
