Nothing My Husband Bought Fit Me

My brother-in-law chimed in as well. "Sheila, Jayden treats you better than anyone could. He spends every day on his phone picking out styles and checking designer brands just to buy you nice clothes. How can you not see how good he is to you?"

My mother-in-law's face hardened as she scolded me.

"Sheila, you're utterly ungrateful. Jayden doesn't just buy you clothes—he comes home from work and goes straight into the kitchen to cook your favorite dishes. He never lets you lift a finger. What more could you possibly want?"

Jayden sat beside me, his eyes slightly red, looking as though I had truly hurt him.

…

A white porcelain bowl of boiled greens was set in front of me. The pale green broth didn't even have a trace of oil.

Jayden seemed completely unaware of anything wrong.

"Honey, I made your favorite boiled vegetables just for you."

As he spoke, he picked up my empty bowl and reached over to serve me.

The silver spoon dipped to the bottom and came up with a full portion.

I knocked the bowl over in one swift motion.

"What's the point of this fake concern of yours?! There are so many things I like to eat—why is this the only one you ever remember?"

Camille stood up.

"Sheila, now you're being unreasonable. How can you talk like that?"

The relatives began talking over one another again, all of them criticizing me.

"Who treats their husband like this in public? He's good to her and she doesn't appreciate it—she even picks a fight on purpose."

Jayden raised a hand to stop them, his tone gentle as he spoke in my defense.

"Please don't blame Sheila. She's just been in a bad mood lately. It's my fault for not being thoughtful enough and making her upset."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite velvet box from inside his suit jacket and flicked it open with his fingers.

A diamond ring lay inside, its facets clear and brilliant, casting a dazzling light that reflected the shock on everyone's faces.

Jayden held the box out to me.

"Sheila, when we got married, I only bought you a small diamond ring. I've always remembered that—I've always felt like I owed you.

"Now that I've received my year-end bonus, I wanted to make it up to you with something proper. Just a small token from me."

At his words, my mother-in-law grabbed his arm, sighing with heartache.

"My son, you give her your whole heart, and she still acts so insensible."

Camille's tone was thick with disapproval.

"Sheila, Jayden's done so much for you. What is it that you're still unhappy about?"

I lowered my gaze to the diamond ring, my eyes settling on the band.

The irony and anger inside me surged to a breaking point.

With a flick of my hand, I swept the velvet box straight to the floor.

The ring rolled far across the ground, letting out a crisp, ringing sound.

"Who asked you to do all these pointless things?"

My voice was cold.

"Instead of putting on this show, why don't you use your brain and remember what actually matters?"

My mother-in-law trembled with rage.

"This is outrageous! The clothes aren't good enough for you, and now you're throwing away a carefully chosen diamond ring too. Where in this world is there a daughter-in-law as hard to please as you? Jayden must have terrible luck to have married someone so ungrateful!"

I snapped back, my voice breaking.

"All I want are clothes that fit and a ring that's the right size. Since when does that make me ungrateful in your eyes?!"

Jayden reached out to grab my arm, his voice carrying a trace of helplessness.

"Sheila, I know it's all my fault. I'll change, okay? Please don't be angry."

I wrenched my arm free and shouted at him, "You're right—it is all your fault. Every bit of it is your fault!"

Smack—

My mother-in-law's hand struck my face.

My head spun, and I staggered, nearly losing my balance.

"I think Jayden has spoiled you rotten. Your temper is getting worse and worse!"

Jayden immediately stepped in, blocking his furious, trembling mother and shielding me.

"Mom, how can you hit Sheila? She's just upset. It's my fault for not thinking things through. It has nothing to do with her."

Hearing this only made the relatives more convinced that I was being unreasonable.

They looked at Jayden with sympathy, murmuring that he spoiled me too much.

His tone remained gentle.

"Sheila, if you don't want to eat boiled vegetables, I understand. Just tell me what you want—I'll go make it for you right now, okay?"

At those words, my anger shot straight to my head.

"Jayden, stop acting! Standing there with that wronged expression, putting on this whole act of being considerate for everyone to see—does that make you feel accomplished?"

The moment I finished speaking, Lilian stepped forward at once.