I froze, my breath caught. Could it be that he finally realized the child was gone?
My chest tightened, and my eyes stung with tears, but before I could say a word, he gave me a sheepish smile.
“Wife,” he began, his tone almost flattering. “I need to discuss something with you.”
I frowned. “What?”
He shifted closer, hesitating before continuing. “The day after tomorrow—the 8th—Paula is throwing a birthday party for her kid. I was thinking of giving them a cash gift of 5,000 dollars.”
I stared at him, my expression hardening as his words sank in.
He pushed on, seemingly oblivious. “And since the kid calls you Auntie, it’d be nice to show some respect, right?”
I raised an eyebrow. “How exactly do you suggest I do that?”
“Well,” he said, his voice brightening, “you could buy a pair of gold bracelets for the child! Gold prices are good right now, and I’ve already picked out a pair. They’re not expensive—just 15,000 dollars.”
It took me a moment to fully process his request.
Did he even remember the time he refused to buy me the gold bracelet I had wanted when we got married?
That bracelet, even after a discount, had only cost 9,000 dollars. He had dragged me out of the store, grumbling, “Let’s not waste money. Wait until the gold prices drop!”
Anger burned through me like a wildfire.
I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. “Ian, what have you ever bought for our child?”
He seemed taken aback, his face clouding with irritation. “Paula and I have been friends since school! Giving a pair of bracelets to her kid is nothing. Stop making a fuss over this!”
I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp and hollow.
All for Paula. For his precious first love.
There was nothing he wouldn’t do.
“It’s settled,” he declared, brushing off my reaction. “I have errands tomorrow, so you can take a bus to the city to buy it. I’ll send you the style and the shop’s address on Instagram.”
I was silent for a long moment. Then, with ice in my voice, I replied, “Fine.”
His face lit up with joy, and he leaned in to kiss me.
I turned away sharply. “Sleep in the outer room for now. Your snoring keeps me up at night.”
Unbothered, he nodded and left, humming as he clutched his phone. Moments later, the familiar chime of a Instagram notification filled the air.
I opened the message and saw the address for the gold shop. It was in the same mall where I had seen him buying lingerie for Paula.