‘She’s on My Maintenance, I’ll Kick Her Out If She’s Not Obedient,’ My Husband Said About Me during His Celebration

When Abby loses her job, she seeks comfort in her husband, Gregor, to keep them afloat until she finds another. But while Abby assumes that Gregor will be supportive, she finds out how he really feels when they celebrate his birthday surrounded by their closest people…

I’m not usually one to share my life online, but after what happened recently, I figured my story should be shared. Let me tell you all about the time my husband tried to humiliate me in front of his friends and how I turned the tables on him in the most satisfying way.

A pensive woman in her forties | Source: Midjourney

A pensive woman in her forties | Source: Midjourney

I met Gregor when I was in my forties. I wasn’t looking for anything serious, and the marriage dream had died a long time ago for me.

“Come on, Abby,” my mother said. “It’s never too late to find someone. Don’t you just want to be married and settle down?”

I shook my head.

In reality, I did want that, but after a toxic relationship in my thirties, I was done thinking about it all. I didn’t want that anymore.

A couple arguing | Source: Midjourney

A couple arguing | Source: Midjourney

But then, I met Gregor and we hit it off right away. He was charming, thoughtful, and genuinely seemed to care about me.

“I’ve waited my entire life for you, Abby,” Gregor said when he showed up at my house with a bouquet of roses and an engagement ring tucked away in his palm.

Our first year of marriage felt like one long honeymoon. We traveled together, laughed together non-stop, and truly enjoyed each other’s company.

A man holding a bouquet of roses | Source: Midjourney

A man holding a bouquet of roses | Source: Midjourney

It seemed that we just belonged together.

Gregor was successful in his career, working as an executive at a well-known firm, while I was also doing well in my own career. I worked for a marketing company and I really loved my job.

Life was good, and I felt like I had it all.

A smiling couple in their forties | Source: Midjourney

A smiling couple in their forties | Source: Midjourney

“I told you, Abby,” my mother said one day when I went to visit her with ingredients to make dumplings.

“I know,” I chuckled. “I should have listened. But I’m happy now, and I think I finally got it right.”

“It’s all going to be fine,” my mother said. “As long as you’re happy.”

A plate of dumplings | Source: Midjourney

A plate of dumplings | Source: Midjourney

But then life threw a curveball.

The company I worked for went bankrupt, and just like that, I was out of a job.

It was a blow, not just financially, but also to my confidence. I was good at my job, but there was just something about being unable to do it that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough.

A close up of an upset woman | Source: Midjourney

A close up of an upset woman | Source: Midjourney

“It’s going to be okay,” I told myself as I sat at my desk for the last time. We had all been called in to pack up our belongings and just say goodbye.

But deep down, I knew that although I prided myself on my independence and hated the idea of being reliant on anyone, Gregor was still there.

When I broke the news to Gregor, he seemed supportive at first. But it didn’t take long for his true feelings to surface.

An upset woman sitting at a desk | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman sitting at a desk | Source: Midjourney

“What? Now, I’m going to be the breadwinner at home? The only breadwinner?” he asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“It’s just for now,” I said. “I’m going to start the job hunt as soon as possible. But until I get back onto my feet, it’s going to be you running the home. Okay?”

“Well, it’s not like I have a choice, right?” he said, rolling his eyes.

A grumpy man | Source: Midjourney

A grumpy man | Source: Midjourney

“It’s not for long,” I promised. “Just give me a few weeks and I’ll have another job ready to go.”

I had to admit, I was taken aback by his reaction, but understood his concern. I quickly started job hunting, determined to find something else.

I sat down at my laptop and stared at the screen until the words blurred.

A woman using her laptop | Source: Midjourney

A woman using her laptop | Source: Midjourney

“Come on, Abby,” I told myself. “You need to find something. You just need the world to give you a break, that’s all.”

While I was searching, I took a temporary job as a cleaner in a nearby restaurant. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest work, and it helped keep us afloat.

“At least your boss is happy to give us food,” Gregor said one evening as I unwrapped leftover steak and veggies from the restaurant.

A woman holding a mop | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding a mop | Source: Midjourney

“Yes, the manager would rather have food sent home for our families to enjoy rather than just throw it out,” I said, cutting my steak.

“It’s good food,” Gregor said. “But at the same time, it’s not a good job for you. Our family and friends are used to seeing you with your nails and hair done, wearing high heels and fancy outfits. Not black slacks and an apron, Abby.”

A plate of steak and veggies | Source: Midjourney

A plate of steak and veggies | Source: Midjourney

“I know that,” I said. “But it’s not like I’ve settled for the job. I’m still actively looking for another job. This is to keep us going until then.”

Gregor grunted and continued to eat.

For a moment, I had no idea who my husband was. But this man wasn’t the one that I had married.

A man eating | Source: Midjourney

A man eating | Source: Midjourney

Fast forward a few months to Gregor’s 45th birthday.

My husband decided to throw himself a big bash at an expensive restaurant and invited all his friends, family, and colleagues.

“So, he can complain about looking after his wife, but he’s fine with spoiling everyone else for his birthday?” my mother tutted on the phone.

An older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

An older woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“I don’t know what else to tell you, Mom,” I said. “It’s just how he is. But I’m looking forward to this. It’s my first weekend off in a while and I just want to unwind and have fun.”

“I know, darling,” she said.

Admittedly, I was excited for the night, thinking it would be a chance for us to relax and just spend time together outside of our home.

A smiling woman on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“Happy birthday, my love,” I said to Gregor when we got to the restaurant.

I had called ahead and asked for them to set up black and silver balloons around the table Gregor had reserved.

The night started off well, with good food, laughter, and drinks flowing freely. As the evening went on, tipsy people began to make toasts.

A table with food and drinks at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

A table with food and drinks at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

First, was Gregor’s sister, Natalia.

“You’re lucky to have Abby in your life, brother,” she said, holding two glasses of champagne. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

I felt touched by her words and smiled, feeling appreciated.

Gregor’s friend, Tim, went next, talking about the joys of having Gregor in the office next door.

A woman holding two glasses of champagne | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding two glasses of champagne | Source: Midjourney

Finally, it was Gregor’s turn to speak.

He stood up, his glass of champagne in hand, and began laughing before he even said a word.

“Oh, I know I’m lucky, Nat,” he said. “But let’s be real, Abby is lucky too! She’s basically my dependent now. I’d have kicked her out a long time ago if she wasn’t so obedient. It’s just a pity I invested all that money in her over the years.”

A man standing and giving a speech | Source: Midjourney

A man standing and giving a speech | Source: Midjourney

Gregor hiccupped and reached for a piece of shrimp from his plate.

The table fell silent, and my insides twisted more than they ever had. Embarrassed wasn’t enough to describe how I felt.

He was laughing, expecting everyone else to join in. Some people chuckled awkwardly, not knowing what to do, but most people looked around uncomfortably.

A plate of fried shrimp | Source: Midjourney

A plate of fried shrimp | Source: Midjourney

Gregor took another piece of shrimp before he dissolved into laughter for a while.

“Come on guys, that was a killer joke!” he bellowed in between laughing.

But then, as I sat there, something clicked inside me.

I decided I wasn’t going to let him get away with this behavior. This was toxic behavior.

A man laughing | Source: Midjourney

A man laughing | Source: Midjourney

I wasn’t going to allow that back into my life.

Calmly, I stood up and took a deep breath.

“Well, Gregor,” I said. “It seems like you’re forgetting a few things. But let me remind you and everyone else about some investments I’ve made.”

All eyes were on me as I spoke, and Gregor’s smug smile slowly faded away.

An expressionless woman | Source: Midjourney

An expressionless woman | Source: Midjourney

“You see,” I started. “While you’ve been investing in me, you’ve also been busy investing. The money you used to fund this luxurious celebration didn’t come from your account.”

Gasps erupted around the room.

“I saw the notification,” I said. “You took it from my savings fund. You don’t believe me? I can pull up the statement on my phone right now…”

A woman holding her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding her phone | Source: Midjourney

“No…” Gregor said.

“I was willing to overlook this because we were a team, but it seems that we’re not. I know that you only took out the money to reserve this place, and that the rest of the bill needs to be paid when we leave here. Correct?”

Gregor nodded slowly.

“Correct,” he muttered.

A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a man | Source: Midjourney

“And I have the money with me, right in my purse,” I said. “I wanted you to have a good birthday, and I didn’t want you to pay for your own birthday dinner.”

I looked around the table, seeing the realization dawn on everyone’s faces.

“But do you know what? I think I’ll just keep it, along with my dignity.”

With that, I calmly walked off the stage and out of the restaurant.

A woman walking away on the pavement | Source: Midjourney

A woman walking away on the pavement | Source: Midjourney

I don’t know how Gregor paid for the dinner, but I didn’t care. Instead, I went home and packed as much of my clothes as my car would allow, and I drove to my mother’s place.

I wasn’t going to stay in a toxic relationship again.

A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

My Downstairs Neighbor Asked Me to Be Quieter at Night, but I Have Not Been Home for the past Week

When Piper returns from a trip with her friends, she cannot wait to get home to her husband. But as she unpacks her car, a neighbor approaches her, complaining about the noise from her apartment. If Piper wasn’t home, who was Matthew entertaining in her absence?

I had just returned from a blissful week-long camping trip with my friends. It was all about us taking time away from our lives and enjoying being away from the city.

My husband, Matthew, had stayed behind, claiming that he needed to stay at home.

A woman sitting outside and looking at the view | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting outside and looking at the view | Source: Midjourney

“I have to be home, Piper,” he said when I was packing my bags. “It’s just work responsibilities. There are meetings and presentations coming up.”

“Are you sure?” I asked him. “Why don’t you come along, and then we can find you a place to work in between it all?”

Matthew smiled at me and sat down on the bed.

A woman sitting on a suitcase | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting on a suitcase | Source: Midjourney

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said. “You go and join the others and have fun. You need some time away from this place.”

He continued to persuade me to go on the trip, and eventually, I gave in.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

I Set up a Hidden Camera in My Living Room to Catch My Husband Cheating — What I Found Out Instead Shattered Me

When my husband started acting strange, I suspected the worst. I decided to get actual proof of his betrayal, but what I discovered broke me down in tears! Luckily, the truth brought us closer than ever.

I had always considered myself a reasonable person, someone who approached situations with a level head. But when it came to my marriage, all that seemed to fly out the window! For weeks, maybe even months, a heavy cloud of doubt hung over my head. I believed my husband was cheating, but when I discovered the actual truth, I was shattered.

An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney

An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney

My husband, Damien, who once filled our home with laughter and light, had changed. He’d become distant, lied about spending our money, and became quiet, almost as if he was retreating into a shell I couldn’t penetrate.

It started small, with missing dinner a couple of times, staying late at work more often than usual, and hiding his phone, which was constantly buzzing with messages he wouldn’t explain.

A man looking at his phone | Source: Freepik

A man looking at his phone | Source: Freepik

At first, I tried brushing it off. People go through phases, I told myself. Maybe he was just stressed. But as the days turned into weeks, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. My mind spiraled into the darkest corners, whispering things I didn’t want to believe.

Was he seeing someone else? Was I losing him? Every time I confronted him, he would look at me with those tired eyes and offer some half-hearted excuse. “It’s just work, Lacy,” he’d say, forcing a smile. “Nothing to worry about.”

But his words felt hollow, and I couldn’t convince myself they were true.

A doubtful woman | Source: Midjourney

A doubtful woman | Source: Midjourney

The breaking point came one night when he came home long after midnight, reeking of whiskey. He slumped into bed without a word, leaving me wide awake and seething with anger and fear. I needed to know the truth, no matter how ugly it might be.

I’m not proud of what I’ve done, but if you were in my place, you might have done the same thing. I needed to see for myself what was really going on.

I hated the thought of spying on Damien, but the need to know the truth was stronger than the guilt gnawing at my conscience.

A woman deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

A woman deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

The next day, I dusted off my old nanny camera and, with trembling hands, set it up in our living room. I angled it just right so it would capture the entire room without being obvious. I wanted to see what he got up to when I wasn’t around.

I was prepared for the worst-case scenario, catching my husband with some other woman, someone probably younger. But, for the first few days, I couldn’t bring myself to check the footage. I was too afraid of having my greatest fears realized.

A woman setting up a nanny camera | Source: Midjourney

A woman setting up a nanny camera | Source: Midjourney

But the tension in our home continued to grow, with Damien becoming more and more withdrawn. I couldn’t take it any longer! One evening, after my husband once again retreated into his silent shell, I sat down with my laptop and pulled up the footage.

My heart pounded as I watched the screen. I saw Damien come home, looking as weary as ever. He didn’t even bother to turn on the lights, just collapsed onto the couch and buried his face in his hands. For a moment, I felt a pang of sympathy, but it was quickly overshadowed by my need for answers.

A woman watching footage on her laptop | Source: Pexels

A woman watching footage on her laptop | Source: Pexels

I fast-forwarded through the footage, watching him sit there, motionless, for what felt like an eternity. And then, he reached into his coat pocket. My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t believe my eyes as he pulled out an envelope and withdrew a letter, unfolding it with trembling hands.

My dear husband of ten years began to read, and that’s when I saw it… the tears. They started slowly, just a few drops sliding down his cheeks. But soon, his shoulders began to shake, and he crumpled into himself, sobbing quietly in the darkness. I had never seen him cry. Never.

A man crying | Source: Freepik

A man crying | Source: Freepik

I stared at the screen, unable to process what I was seeing. There was no other woman, no secret phone calls or messages. Just Damien, alone in the dark, breaking down in a way I had never seen before.

I watched the scene over and over, my mind racing with possibilities. What was in that letter? Why was he hiding this from me? I couldn’t make sense of it, but one thing was clear: I needed to read that letter.

A shocked woman looking at something on her laptop | Source: Pexels

A shocked woman looking at something on her laptop | Source: Pexels

I noted which coat the envelope was in and made it a point to get a hold of it. I woke up in the middle of the night amid my fitful sleep. I couldn’t sleep because I was desperate to see what tragedy had gotten him so torn.

I rushed to where he’d put the letter and grabbed it as he slept. As I read the first lines, MY HEART SANK. There, right next to his name, it said that my husband was dying. Dying… that’s all my eyes could focus on. I couldn’t read anything else…

A shocked woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

Confused, I put the envelope back and stayed up, waiting for Damien to wake up, my heart racing with anticipation. By the time he came into the kitchen, he looked even more exhausted than the night before.

His eyes were bloodshot, and there were dark circles under them as if he hadn’t slept in days. “Morning,” he mumbled, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He didn’t look at me, just stared into his cup like it held all the answers in the world.

A tired man holding a cup of coffee in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A tired man holding a cup of coffee in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“Damien, we need to talk,” I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay calm.

He looked up at me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of fear in his eyes. “What’s going on, Lacy?” he asked, his voice wary.

“I saw you last night,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I know about the letter, Damien. I saw you crying. Please, just tell me what’s going on.”

The color drained from his face, and for a moment, I thought he might faint. He set down his coffee cup, his hands shaking, and stared at the table.

“Lacy, I didn’t want you to find out this way,” he whispered.

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

“What’s in the letter?” I pressed, leaning forward. “Please, just tell me the truth.”

He took a deep breath. “I’ve been diagnosed with something,” he finally said, his voice so quiet I almost didn’t hear him. “It’s… it’s not good, Lacy.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? What’s wrong?”

Damien looked up at me, his eyes filled with tears. “It’s cancer,” he said, his voice cracking. “Terminal. The doctors gave me six months, maybe less.”

A sad man sharing heartbreaking news | Source: Midjourney

A sad man sharing heartbreaking news | Source: Midjourney

I felt like the floor had just fallen out from under me. The room spun, and I had to grab the edge of the table to steady myself.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Why did you try to hide this from me?”

He reached out, taking my hand in his, his grip weak and trembling. “Because I didn’t want you to go through this,” he said, tears streaming down his face. “I didn’t want you to have to watch me die. I thought… I thought if I could just keep it to myself, maybe it would be easier for you.”

An emotional husband hands with his wife | Source: Midjourney

An emotional husband hands with his wife | Source: Midjourney

“Easier?” I repeated, my voice rising in disbelief. “How could you think that shutting me out would make this easier? We’re supposed to be a team, Damien. We’re supposed to face things together. You can’t just decide to go through this alone.”

“I know,” he whispered, his voice filled with regret. “I know, and I’m so sorry, my love. I was scared. I didn’t want you to see me like this, weak and broken. I thought I could protect you, but all I did was hurt you.”

A husband explaining himself to his wife | Source: Midjourney

A husband explaining himself to his wife | Source: Midjourney

I grabbed him and pulled him in for a tight hug, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.

“You don’t have to protect me from this, babe. I’m your wife. I want to be there for you, no matter what. We’ll face this together, okay? No more secrets.”

He nodded, hugging me back, his eyes filled with gratitude and sorrow. “I don’t deserve you, Lacy,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “But I’m so glad I have you.”

An emotional couple hugging | Source: Midjourney

An emotional couple hugging | Source: Midjourney

We held each other like that for a long time, crying for everything we were about to lose. I knew the road ahead would be unbearably hard, but I also knew that we would face it together.

Afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the time we had lost, all the moments we could have spent together if he had just told me the truth. But I knew dwelling on it wouldn’t change anything. What mattered now was that we were in this together.

A woman deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

A woman deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

As the weeks passed, I noticed changes in Damien, both physically and emotionally. He began to open up more, sharing his fears and worries with me! We spent our days trying to make the most of the time we had left, finding small joys in everyday moments!

We went on walks in the park, had movie nights at home, and even started working on a bucket list of things we wanted to do together before it was too late! One day, as we sat on the porch, watching the sunset, my husband turned to me with a sad smile.

A happy couple sitting on the porch | Source: Midjourney

A happy couple sitting on the porch | Source: Midjourney

“I wish I had told you sooner, Lacy,” he said quietly. “I’ve wasted so much time hiding from you, from us.”

I shook my head, squeezing his hand. “Don’t think about that now, baby. We’re here together, and that’s what matters. We can’t change the past, but we can make the most of the time we have left.”

He nodded, his eyes glistening with tears. “I don’t want to leave you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “But I’m so grateful for the time we’ve had. You’ve made these last few months bearable, my bunny. I don’t know how I would have done it without you.”

A happy couple bonding | Source: Midjourney

A happy couple bonding | Source: Midjourney

Tears welled up in my eyes as I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder.

“You don’t have to do anything alone anymore, my angel. I’m here with you, every step of the way.”

We sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the sun dipped below the horizon. At that moment, I realized something important. I had set out to catch Damien in a betrayal, convinced that he was hiding something terrible from me.

And while I had uncovered a truth far more devastating, it had also brought us closer together than we had been in years. For however long we had left, we would face it together, side by side, just as we always should have.

A couple sharing a happy moment | Source: Midjourney

A couple sharing a happy moment | Source: Midjourney

While Damien wasn’t cheating, in the following story, Ryan’s wife thinks he’s cheating when she finds incriminating evidence in their bedroom. The evidence led her down a rabbit hole when she discovered that she couldn’t trust him anymore. Her fears were finally confirmed when she found proof of his cheating in his car. Her revenge was sweet and swift!

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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