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To my husband,my every objection I raised was a tantrum.
With my friends and family here,I didn’t want a scene,so I swallowed it.
Just then,the door swung open…
A woman in a garish red-and-green dress sashayed in,her face caked in makeup like a stage actress,holding a bottle of English-labeled red wine.
Before I could react, she threw herself at my husband and rubbed her face against his.
“Oh,Kevin,happy birthday!Sorry I’m late—don’t be mad!I spent$1,500 on this wine for you,fancy foreign stuff.My arms are killing me!”
He quickly took the bottle,passing it to a server,saying,“Let me massage that ache away.”
I watched as he kneaded her hand, and my stomach churned with jealousy and anger.
My mother-in-law grinned,clearly used to this.
“Who’s that?”My cousin glanced at me,then her.
Before I could speak,my husband draped an arm around her shoulders,introducing,“This is our PR manager,Lily.She’s sharp—handles all the tough clients.”
He shot me a smug look,as if flaunting his charm.
I rolled my eyes,barely containing my rage.
Lily,basking in his praise,grew bolder and more forward.
She winked at me,cooing,“Kevin,you’re too kind.I’m not that great—just doing my bit under your leadership.”
She leaned closer,practically hanging all over him.
“Oh?Who’s she?Kevin,is she your wife?Introduce us.”She glanced at me slyly.
“She’s just a friend,”he said, with his arm around Lily’s waist,pinching her nose playfully.“You know I’ve got plenty of admirers.She’s one of them. I can't shake her off—she's too charming. But she's no match for you.”
I fought nausea,watching their act,itching to slap someone.
“Oh,and Lily runs her own high-end custom clothing boutique.So ambitious,”he added,ignoring my expression.
Lily,smug,bumped my shoulder,giggling,“Kevin’s such a sweet-talker.Is he like this with you?”
I sneered, looking at her tacky outfit and cheap lace hair clip.“No,he’s only like this with gold-diggers.”
Her smile froze.Fearing he’d see her scowl,she excused herself to the bathroom.
My husband,noticing my cousin and his wife’s disapproval,softened his attitude.
I’d introduced him to my cousin, a general manager, at our wedding, and he feared upsetting my cousin (the general manager).
He personally poured their wine and served them food.
My cousin and his wife,for my sake,held their tongues.
