After Her Family's Bankruptcy, Wife Kneels to Ask for Forgiveness

Today was the weekend and also my birthday. Fiona got up early to wash up and do her makeup. I knew she was going out on a date with someone else—a young artist, a college student who was twenty years younger than me. Despite my years of regular exercise and maintaining a light diet, time had still left its marks on my face, making me unable to compete with her younger suitors.

Fiona left in a hurry, leaving the sink area in disarray. I used to clean up after her, but instead of showing any restraint, she only made things worse. After the marriage, Fiona revealed her true nature. She had only married me because of my appearance, while her inherent promiscuity remained unchanged. She continued to keep younger lovers and put me in the position of a cuckold. Moreover, she frequently boasted to her friends about her supposed gentleness and how she had helped me achieve what I had, while belittling me as a useless person.

At eight in the evening, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and was surprised to see who was standing there.

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?"

My mother-in-law ignored me and walked in, looking for something. I knew she was searching for Fiona, so I said, "Mom, Fiona isn't home."

My mother-in-law gave me a disdainful glance, probably thinking that my inability to hold onto Fiona was the reason she wasn't home.

I smiled and pretended not to notice. Compared to my mother-in-law, my father-in-law’s expression was noticeably more relaxed. He was holding a bottle of expensive foreign wine.

"Howard, it's your birthday today. This is your favorite wine. Let's have a good drink together," he said.

Although my father-in-law didn't know that I actually didn't like foreign wine, I said nothing and replied with a smile, "Sure, Dad."

Every year on my birthday, I either spend it with my parents and sister at home or celebrate alone. This year, my in-laws' unusual behavior made me curious about their true intentions.

As expected, after a glass of foreign wine, my mother-in-law came straight to the point. "Howard, how is your married life with Fiona these days?"

I responded calmly, "It's going well."

Fiona was indeed doing well, enjoying life with her many younger lovers. I understood what my mother-in-law was hinting at and said, "Mom, just say what you want to say."

The moment of reckoning began.

Upon hearing my response, my mother-in-law didn't hold back and directly asked, "When are you and Fiona planning to have a child?"

Children had always been a concern for my in-laws. Fiona, being an only child, meant that despite being married for so many years, they had never truly accepted me as their son-in-law and naturally, I had no claim to their family fortune. For years, they had pinned their hopes on Fiona's ability to bear children.

Fiona had repeatedly refused to have children with me. Whenever my in-laws asked about this, she would put on a demure act, claiming she wanted a child very much, but that I was the one unwilling.

Over time, my in-laws, who already held a low opinion of me, grew increasingly disdainful and even suspected that the issue was with me. They even insisted on dragging me to undergo medical tests.

The results came back showing that I was in excellent health. However, under Fiona's influence, they continued to believe that the problem lay with me.

Seeing that I didn't answer, my father-in-law said, "Howard, it’s not that I’m criticizing you. It’s normal to have fun when you’re young, but now that you're older, you should be thinking about having a child, right?"

This should be said to Fiona.

I smirked inwardly but maintained a smile on my face. “Dad, Mom, it’s not that I’m unwilling to have children. It’s just that Fiona…”

I pretended to hesitate and my mother-in-law looked skeptical. “That can’t be right. Fiona really likes children.”

I continued, “Dad, Mom, I understand your good intentions, but Fiona… she’s probably quite busy. She works late every day and comes home exhausted, so she doesn’t really have time.”

I had long known that Fiona never went to work. I intentionally said this for my in-laws to hear. As expected, their faces changed instantly upon hearing my words.

My father-in-law slammed his hand on the table in anger. “Nonsense! Does she think she’s still in her twenties? Going to nightclubs every day—how is that appropriate?”

My mother-in-law hurriedly said, “Fiona is your daughter. How can you speak about your own daughter like that?”

My father-in-law grew even angrier. “It’s all because you spoil her! If you hadn’t indulged Fiona so much, she wouldn’t be like this!”

“Why is it always my fault?” my mother-in-law retorted. “Don’t you, as her father, bear any responsibility?”

My father-in-law and mother-in-law argued fiercely over Fiona’s nightclub habits. Instead of intervening, I simply watched the drama unfold.

Eventually, exhausted from their argument, they asked me to call Fiona to come home. Knowing she would never answer while having fun, I made the call anyway. As expected, she didn’t pick up. This only worsened their mood, and in the end, they decided to go to the nightclub themselves to bring Fiona back.