You Betrayed Me for a Traitor

The next day, for the very first time, Ellen came back early.

I was finishing up breakfast at the table when I heard the door, but I didn't bother to lift my head.

She stood in front of me like she was expecting something. No breakfast set out for her like I used to do every damn morning. Her face yelled she was pissed as hell, and then she slammed her phone down on the table.

"Go ahead, start your crap. Wanna fight again?"

She was bringing up that first time she ditched me to run to Gareth, all mad.

Back then, I was just as pissed. Didn't call her, didn't text her—all night.

The next morning, I rolled up to her mom's place with divorce papers in hand.

Ellen came rushing back, looking white as a sheet, and dropped to her knees in front of me, bawling her eyes out.

Said every time I didn't agree with her, it made her feel like I hated her, I didn't love her anymore, or I'd dump her.

So, she'd go mad and call Gareth right in front of me just to get under my skin.

Told me she regretted it the second she walked out the house, that she just went drinking with her friends instead of seeing that bastard.

Her mom was crying too, pleading with me to understand. Said any woman would be insecure in Ellen's shoes, that I needed to be the bigger person as the husband.

She kept saying Ellen only did it out of love, Ellen was just scared I'd fall out of love with her.

At first, I didn't buy a word of it. But then three of her closest friends swore she was telling the truth, even showing me bar receipts from that night to back up her story. Yeah, like a dumbass I believed them.

Later, I talked to a buddy of mine who knew a thing or two about psychology. He said what my wife did was "normal." I just needed to keep her reassured.

So, I started holding back my temper. Every time she flipped out, I'd hold my tongue, apologize, and try to smooth things over.

When I couldn't appease her, she'd storm out, and I'd be on the phone like a damn idiot, texting and calling nonstop.

More times than I can count, she got sick of me and blocked me, and I'd have to go through her friends just to reach her.

But last night, just like that first time, I ignored her all night long.

And now, here she was, but I didn't spare her a single glance.

"Nope," I replied.

I set down my plate and fork, wiped my mouth with a napkin, took the dishes, and went to the kitchen.

Right then, the sliding door behind me slammed so loud.

I glanced back and saw the glass crack from the impact. "Insecurity's turned into rage now, huh?"

Ellen froze for a moment until her face blazed red.

"Wesley! Don't think you can just scare me! You haven't done a damn thing a husband's supposed to do, and now you're treating me like trash? Go ahead, keep playing tough—let's see who will stand by you this time!"

I calmly put the dishes and tableware away, then turned to find her blocking the kitchen doorway.

I just pushed right past her and headed back to the bedroom. Just then, my brother texted, asking for a photo of me. 'Said Mom and Dad missed me.

And I thought about how I've spent all these years giving my mother-in-law everything while my own parents got nothing. That guilt hit me like a brick. I immediately transferred over 2,800 bucks to my brother and told him to give it to our parents.

Ellen stormed back in with her arms crossed. Suddenly, she ripped the phone out of my hand and shrieked when she saw the transfer.

"What the hell, Wesley?! Are you crazy? Giving that much to your brother when Mom's still waiting for your paycheck so she can buy that damn bracelet she's been talking about?!"

I looked at her nonchalantly.

"Didn't you say I'm a worthless piece of crap? What's a worthless man supposed to give?"

God knows I loved my wife. I felt for her 'cause she couldn't have kids. I did everything for her, even going against my parents to marry her.

I scrimped, saved, and worked my ass just so every damn cent I made goes to her and her mom.

Never thought I'd be called worthless in return, not by the woman whom I'd given everything, and certainly not by her other man.

Sure, I was blinded by love. But heck, I know better now!