Why was it that, no matter what happened—even when it wasn’t my fault—I was always the one blamed?
Why was I always expected to be the bigger person, bear the burden, and keep the peace?
Looking at David now, I felt like a fool. How had I ever thought this man was someone I could count on?
After setting off the firecrackers, the New Year’s Eve dinner was served. A spread of meat and vegetarian dishes that looked so good it could have been straight out of a food magazine.
Since I was pregnant, I got hungry quickly. After a long day of traveling, I was starving. I kept my head down, focused on eating, and didn’t bother engaging much with the chatter around me.
But Cindy, of course, couldn’t let me enjoy even one moment of peace.
“David, don’t you think your wife’s being a little rude?” Cindy sneered, her voice loud enough to cut through the chatter. “Look at her—just sitting there, stuffing her face without saying a word to anyone. People who know us might think we’re chill, but strangers? They’ll probably assume you married someone who doesn’t even know how to speak!”
Her words cut through the festive atmosphere like a knife. I froze mid-bite, slowly put my fork down, and glanced at David, silently pleading for him to say something—anything—in my defense.
To my utter shock, he sided with her.
“Well, she’s not wrong, Elaine,” David said, barely glancing in my direction. “My grandparents are here. You should greet them before you start eating. People are watching, you know.”
I froze, stunned, but when I looked around, I caught the sharp, judgmental stares of his relatives. Their eyes bore into me like I was some kind of zoo exhibit. The suffocating discomfort settled heavily in my chest.
Reluctantly, I stood up and did as David suggested, offering a few polite greetings to the elders. Then, desperate for an escape, I made a quick excuse about feeling full and wanting to rest.
As I turned to leave, the whispers began.
“She calls herself a city girl? She doesn’t even know basic manners. Even my dog barks to greet people when they come over, but she acts like we’re invisible!”
I paused mid-step, my fists clenching at my sides. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. It wasn’t worth it. All I had to do was wait for David to finish eating, and then we could leave.
But then another voice chimed in, sharper and more cutting than the last.