After My Husband Gave His Mistress Our Dream Wedding

As the workday was winding down, my phone buzzed with a call from Ezra Morris.

He finally seemed to remember what yesterday was, and he rebuked me, “Why didn’t you tell me it was our wedding anniversary?”

I stayed silent.

“Anyway, Ronin and the others suggested we meet tonight. Meet me in the underground parking lot, and I’ll pick you up.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond before he hung up.

I couldn’t help but smirk to myself. Wait for him in the parking lot? Anyone not in the know might think I was the third wheel in this relationship.

I had no intention of humoring him.

Half an hour later, the phone rang again. “What are you doing? Why aren’t you downstairs yet? You’re a manager, why are you taking so long?”

“Hurry up, everyone’s waiting.”

I said, “You can wait for me outside the office building. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Loretta, it’s rush hour, and people are leaving. If someone sees us, there’ll be gossip. What’s your game?”

I scoffed, “I’m not your secret lover. I won’t sneak around. If you can’t deal with that, just go by yourself.”

Ezra begrudgingly parked the car around the corner from my office.

I slid into the back seat, slamming the door shut.

Ezra snapped, “What’s the deal? You’re treating me like your chauffeur?”

I glanced at him, gesturing toward the passenger seat.

He hesitated momentarily, then pretended innocence. “The last time I went with Elena to win stuffed toys, she got this for me.”

And, of course, he couldn’t resist adding, “Unlike you, who’s always buried in work, missing the joy in life.”

I ignored him. “Just drive.”

The car wasn’t just littered with trinkets in the front; the backseat had its fair share as well, many in matching pairs. I remembered when we first bought this car; I had enthusiastically decorated it with cozy pillows and accessories.

All of it had been discarded by Ezra.

“This car is mine, not yours. Don’t put your things in it.”

“You always want everything, constantly into useless stuff.”

Since then, I never bothered to decorate it again. In fact, I seldom rode in his car.

Clearly, he didn’t mind other people’s things in his car—as long as that someone wasn’t me.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Ezra asked me to park the car while he went ahead upstairs.

As I approached the private dining room, I overheard the voices inside.

“Yesterday was your wedding anniversary, and you were out with Elena. Isn’t your wife jealous?”

“Maybe when Loretta gets here, you should all apologize to her?”

Ezra’s dismissive voice answered, “Why should we apologize to her? Who doesn’t dream of the perfect wedding? I was just helping Elena fulfill one of her wishes.”

Elena chimed in, “I only went abroad for treatment because I was unwell, and she swooped in at my weakest moment. She took my place. Now, I just want to have a wedding with Ezra to fulfill my dream. Is that too much to ask?”

Others chimed in with their support.

“Exactly, we all know you two have always had eyes for each other, and she just happened to benefit from it.”

“Alright, don’t be upset. We’re all rooting for you two.”

Ezra’s friends had known him for years, and they clearly looked down on me, believing Elena was his true match.

I listened stone-faced to their conversation, understanding perfectly why they were friends, before I casually pushed the door open.

The chatter stopped abruptly as they noticed me, guilt written all over their faces.

Ronin greeted me, “Come, Loretta, sit next to Ezra.”

I hesitated, eyeing the table full of ravioli and pulled pork.

Elena sat confidently on Ezra’s other side, smirking at me with a look of triumph. “Oh, by the way, Loretta, you’re not upset, are you? I jokingly mentioned wanting a wedding a while back, and Ezra surprised me. But don’t worry, it’s all for show. You know I’m not in great health and never know how long I’ve got... that’s why Ezra did it.”

As her eyes welled up, Ezra looked at her with concern and softly reassured her, “She’s not upset. You’re not well, so don’t worry about these things.”

The two of them were wrapped up in their own world, oblivious to everyone else at the table.

Ronin tried to ease the tension by suggesting that I eat.

I didn’t pick up my fork.

Ezra assumed I was sulking.

“Everyone’s here to enjoy a rare get-together, don’t be the one to spoil the mood.”

The others looked at me with displeasure.

I shrugged, unfazed. “Sorry, I’m allergic to shellfish. Looks like I won’t be able to enjoy this meal.”

Ezra seemed to suddenly remember my allergy.

The rest seemed to realize their oversight, leaving them awkward and embarrassed.

I remembered a year ago when Ezra had specifically chosen a seafood restaurant because Elena loved it. The table was filled with seafood. I politely mentioned my allergy.

Everyone thought I was being difficult, trying to ruin the night.

Ezra had been annoyed, “Eating a little won’t kill you. Stop being so melodramatic.”

“If everyone else can eat, why can’t you?”

He pressured me to eat, and when I refused, he felt humiliated and said, “If you’re not going to eat, then we should just get a divorce.”

Not wanting a divorce, I reluctantly ate.

Ezra had been smug, “I knew you were just playing games. See? You’re doing as you’re told.”

But within ten minutes, I broke out in a rash and nearly went into shock, spending half a month in the hospital recovering.

There was a momentary silence at the table.

I seized the moment to speak up, “Since I can’t partake, I won’t hold everyone back. I’ll be on my way.”

Ezra tried to stop me, but before he could say anything, I left without looking back.

I knew he wouldn’t chase after me.

Where Elena was, his eyes would always follow her.

I wandered alone by the pier, stopping for some grilled skewers and a beer when hunger hit.

The evening breeze felt comforting, as if washing away all my sorrow.

Ezra came back late that night; I was already asleep.

He turned the room lights on without regard and yanked my blanket away.

With a condescending air, he tossed a small box at me.

“Here, stop making a fuss. Happy eighth anniversary.”

Groggily, I opened it to find a designer watch, identical to the one Elena had worn earlier.

But its cheap shine gave it away.

The real deal went to someone else, while the fake was for his wife.

I wasn’t sure if Ezra was insulting me or himself.

Suddenly, I felt wide awake.

Ezra acted as though he’d given me a great gift, looking down on me.

“Stop embarrassing me outside. You really disgrace me.”

“Why was I so blind to marry someone like you?”

His eyes were filled with regret and disdain.

I clenched my fingers, trying to suppress that last bit of heartache.

Then I lay back down, closing my eyes.

Very well, Ezra.

We’re about to end this for good.