Our 10th wedding anniversary was supposed to be special. I had spent weeks planning a heartfelt surprise for my husband, Mark—a scrapbook of our best memories, a handwritten letter, and a dinner reservation at the restaurant where we had our first date. I didn’t expect diamonds or an expensive vacation, but I did hope for something meaningful in return.
Instead, when Mark handed me my gift, I was met with a cheap, plastic-wrapped mop.
His sister, Laura, burst into laughter. “Well, that’s fitting,” she smirked. “You always say she’s the one keeping the house together. Now she can keep it even cleaner.”
I forced a smile, my hands trembling as I held the mop. I swallowed the lump in my throat, pretending it didn’t hurt. But it did. It wasn’t just the mop—it was the meaning behind it. Ten years of love, of sacrifices, of building a home and a family together, and this was what I was worth to him?
I excused myself, blinking back tears as I stepped into the kitchen. As I gripped the counter, trying to steady my breathing, I heard voices from the living room.
“You really got her a mop?” My best friend, Sarah, had joined the celebration late. Her voice was sharp with disbelief.
“She does the cleaning anyway,” Mark shrugged. “Why not get her something useful?”
Laura chuckled. “She should be grateful. At least she got a gift.”
Silence stretched for a few seconds, and then Sarah spoke again—calm but firm. “You know, Mark, a gift should reflect how much someone means to you. You didn’t just buy her a mop. You sent a message that you see her as your maid, not your wife.”
I peeked through the doorway and saw Mark shifting uncomfortably. Laura rolled her eyes.
Sarah continued, “I’ve seen this woman give everything for you. She stands by you, encourages you, takes care of your home, your kids, and your happiness. And this is what she gets in return?”
I expected Mark to brush it off, but something in his expression changed. His gaze flickered to me, and for the first time, I saw guilt settle in.
A heavy silence filled the room before Mark
