The Neglected Wife

My husband Alan Barnes had been absent from my birthday for five years after marriage.

He gave me no gifts or blessings.

He said, "I have given you the money. You can buy whatever you want."

But he started preparing for his childhood sweetheart, Fiona Jenkins' birthday half a month in advance.

He said, "She is different. She only has me."

As the only survivor of the accidental fire, he felt sorry for Fiona for more than ten years.

Looking at the photo on Moments of Fiona holding a cake and kissing his face, I commented, "He is just a loser. You can have him."

1

Before midnight, Alan went into the bathroom with his phone.

I stood up quietly, leaned against the wall, and could hear his doting voice.

"How could I forget? I must be the first one to wish you a happy birthday."

I felt bitter and heartbroken.

He had been like this for 5 years.

Today was Fiona's birthday, and also mine.

He didn't celebrate my birthday with me after we got married. He was always busy at this day.

We had a fight. I thought it would be different this year.

Half a month ago, when he ordered the cake, he asked me, "Do you like this dress?"

The spaghetti-strap backless fishtail dress in the phone sparkled silver.

I teased, "What kind of occasion can I wear it?"

He looked at me in surprise. "On your birthday. You are beautiful and don't worry about other people's opinions."

I was looking forward to something different this year.

After all, he used to prepare for Fiona's birthday behind my back.

So when it seemed he didn't hide anything from me, I thought it must be for me.

I even wanted to be a generous wife.

I wanted to invite Fiona to celebrate our birthday together, after all, her parents had passed away.

But now it seemed that I was wrong.

Through the bathroom door, I heard Alan mention me with disdain.

"Freya is not a kid. Why should I coax her?

The more she doesn't want me to go, the more I want to go."

My fingernails hurt my hands and my heart was broken.

Was it immoral to celebrate his wife's birthday?

Alan sighed deeply.

"She is becoming more and more ungrateful."

I didn't know what Fiona said but Alan laughed out soon.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow. Remember to wear the dress."

I was totally disappointed.

My husband had a weak character, but after marriage, he seemed to start rebelling.

Alan chatted until midnight before lying down and pulling me into his arms, but he didn't notice how cold I was.

His snoring started a few seconds later and I could feel his breath on my forehead.

I turned over and kept some distance from him, looking at my phone which lit up from time to time.

My family, friends, colleagues, and even the bank sent me their wishes.

But he didn't wish me happy birthday.

I didn't sleep all night, and Alan stared at the dark circles under my eyes while we had breakfast.

"You didn't sleep well?"

I didn't answer and looked at his carefully taken care of hair and clothes.

He was like a brave knight.

I made myself look ridiculous by saying, "Today is my birthday."

He paused for a second.

"I have given you the money. You can buy whatever you want."

I suddenly lost my appetite for the food.

I looked at him with amusement, which made him feel guilty and impatient.

But he still tried to be patient and said, "Stop it, Freya.

Fiona is different. She only has me."

His tone was full of concern.

On Fiona's twelve-year-old birthday, there was a fire in her house.

Her parents had tried their best to protect her and she became an orphan.

Five years ago, I knew how much Alan cared about Fiona.

However, I loved Alan so much at that time.

If I had known this, I would have let Fiona have Alan at the wedding.

Back then, when it was the part that Alan should kiss me at the wedding, Fiona stood pitifully under the stage in a white dress.

She cried and looked pitiful.

"Alan, are you going to abandon me too?"

Alan's hands that were holding my face immediately withdrew as if they got an electric shock.

Alan's friend, Philip Ward, hurried forward and took away Fiona.

Although Alan breathed a sigh of relief and looked at me affectionately, his casual kiss made me feel insecure.

Later, I gradually understood the power of reunion between childhood sweethearts after a long separation.

On our wedding night, Alan stood on the balcony and made a phone call for a long time.

He didn't hide anything from me at that time.

No matter what he said, Fiona just cried.

Alan looked at me with helplessness and guilt.

He said that Fiona was innocent and that she was like a child.

At first, I felt sorry for Fiona.

Whenever Alan went to see Fiona, he would take me with him, and I would even buy things for her if I saw anything that suited her.

But soon I sensed her hostility.

Once when Alan was on a business trip, he sent me a message asking me to go see Fiona.

"She has a high fever and refused to go to the hospital. I'm too busy to take care of her."

I rushed to her house in the heavy rain, and her face was full of disappointment the moment she saw me.

The table was littered with scattered takeout packaging and messy wine bottles.

Looking at her almost transparent white pajamas, I knew everything.

She didn't have a fever but wanted to seduce my husband.