It took me five years of marriage to realize the gold bracelet my husband gave me was fake.

When I confronted him, he just scoffed.

“So what if it’s fake? Can’t you wear a fake bracelet? What else was I supposed to do? You were so damn hung up on me giving you a few grand before the wedding! I had to come up with something, so I told you I’d swap it out for a gold bracelet instead!”

“What I didn’t expect was that you’d actually buy it. Not just that—you got so emotional about it, you even put my name on the villa.”

But what he didn’t know was that he had cancer.

And the only reason I brought out the bracelet was because I planned to sell it to help pay for his surgery.

But now, I just coldly pulled out my phone and called the doctor. “Cancel the surgery. We’re not doing it.”

——

The moment I realized the bracelet was fake, I couldn’t believe it.

I couldn’t wrap my head around how the man I’d been sleeping next to for five years could lie to me like that.

So I went straight to him with the bracelet, demanding answers. But he only glanced at it and crushed whatever hope I had left.

“Yeah, it’s fake.”

“So what? Can’t you wear a fake one? And don’t forget, this is on you. If you hadn’t insisted on me giving you a couple thousand dollars as a wedding gift, I wouldn’t have come up with the idea of a gold bracelet in the first place.”

“And what I didn’t expect was that dang, you’d actually fall for it! Not just that—you even put my name on the villa because you were so touched. Thanks to that, I got a free villa out of the deal. Honestly, you should’ve seen yourself, bawling your eyes out like I was some kind of saint.”

A cruel, mocking grin then spread across my husband’s face.

“What now? After all these years of marriage, are you seriously thinking of divorcing me over some stupid bracelet?”

“And if you do, well, who’s gonna like you? You’re just some washed-up old hag now.”

When we got married, I knew his family wasn’t well-off.

So I didn’t ask for gold jewelry, a house, or a car. I only asked for 1,000 dollars to prove his love.

I never thought he wouldn’t even be willing to give me that. Instead, he gave me a fake bracelet and lied to me!

And the worst part? It took me this long to find out.

I swallowed my anger and said, “That villa? I would’ve given it to you as a wedding gift no matter what. It had nothing to do with the bracelet. If you couldn’t afford the 1,000 dollars, you could’ve just told me. Why did you have to lie?”

He snorted.

“Who said I couldn’t afford it? Of course, I could. I just didn’t want to spend it on you.”

“Look at you. You really think someone like you deserves someone like me? Honestly, my biggest mistake was being too damn charming. I gave you a little attention, and you went all-in, throwing everything at me.”

“If you weren’t an orphan—if I didn’t know all your assets would be mine once we got married—do you think I’d have bothered with you?”

“And besides that villa, you don’t have anything else to your name. Honestly, I’m the one who got screwed here!”

He even had the nerve to sigh like he’d made some huge sacrifice.

I was furious, and for the first time, I felt like a complete idiot.

I’d been an orphan since I was a kid, raised by my uncle.

That villa was the only thing my parents left me.

I’d always been starved for love.

So when Fred Brondgeest showed me even the smallest bit of care—asking if I was cold or hungry—I fell for him hard.

And when he gave me that bracelet, I was so moved, I added his name to the villa without a second thought.

But now, I finally saw the truth.

Now, regret hit me like a punch to the gut.

He didn’t know that the only reason I even took out the bracelet today was because the doctor had told me he had cancer.

The funny thing is, the doctor had messed up. During a recent health check, they’d mixed up his results with another patient… who had the same name.

Since it was my contact number that Fred left, the doctor called me.

He didn’t sugarcoat it.

It was late-stage cancer.

We had two options: either go through surgery, which might give Fred a few more years, or skip it and let him live out the remaining six months as comfortably as possible.

I didn’t even hesitate—I chose surgery.

But the problem? The surgery would cost 300,000 dollars, and we didn’t have a penny in savings.

That’s when I remembered the gold bracelet my husband gave me.

It weighed 400 grams—a solid, expensive piece.

Why not sell it?

At 800 dollars per gram, I could get 320,000 dollars for it.

That would cover the surgery costs almost perfectly.

The moment that idea hit me, I rushed to find the bracelet.

Since it was so pricey, I’d never even worn it—not once since we got married.

But when I found it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It was fake.

I looked at my husband, and at that moment, I decided not to tell him he had cancer.

Right then, he gave me a little kick and said, “What are you standing around for? Hurry up, let’s go home!”

Every month, we drove back to the town. Not for anything special—just to have dinner with the whole family.

Since my parents passed away, I really treasured those gatherings.

I especially loved spending time with Marcia, my mother-in-law. Being around her gave me this feeling like I had a mom again.

And honestly, she was the kindest one to me in the whole family.

If anyone would understand what I was going through, it’d be her.

When we got to the house, I told her everything.

I knew she couldn’t help, but I just wanted a little comfort.

Something to remind me I wasn’t completely alone in this family.

But instead, she looked at me and said, “So what? My son managed to marry you with a fake bracelet. That just shows how smart he is. Not everyone’s got that kind of talent, you know.”

“Don’t you know whose mother I am? And now you’re running to me to tattle on my son? You know what? I think he’s been way too nice to you. He should’ve beaten some sense into you by now.”

“You’re always running to someone else’s mom to cry about your problems. No wonder you ended up with no parents of your own.”

Her words knocked the wind out of me. My parents’ death was always a raw wound.

Even my closest friends wouldn’t touch that subject.

But here she was—someone I thought of as kind and gentle—throwing it in my face just because I complained about her son.

By the time dinner rolled around, I was pale and out of it.

Not that anyone seemed to care.

Marcia had made grilled steak for dinner. There were four of us, but she only grilled three.

And when it came time to serve, she gave me this pointed look and said, “Anyone who badmouths my son won’t get to eat the dish I make.”

My husband figured out what was going on pretty quick.

He looked at me and said, annoyed, “Are you seriously still upset about that bracelet? Are you really that materialistic? You think you’re gonna die without it?”

Then he let out this cold laugh.

“You don’t actually think my mom didn’t know, do you? That fake bracelet? It was her idea.”

I stared at Marcia, stunned. Of everyone in this family, she was the one I trusted most.

I couldn’t believe she was behind it!

“Why?”

But before I could get an answer, the door opened, and in walked an uninvited guest.

It was my husband’s childhood friend, Blossom Hoffs, with her son.

The kid ran in, all cheerful, and said, “Uncle Fred!”

Right away, my husband pulled a check from his wallet and handed it to the kid.

Fred always did this—every time Blossom brought her son over, he’d give the boy a check.

But this time, I didn’t even think. I reached out and snatched it right out of the kid’s hand.

I just want to know—if I’m not even worth a 1,000 dollars wedding gift, then how much is Blossom’s son worth to him?

No one saw my move coming.

I grabbed that check with no hesitation.

Well, well. I didn’t know how much it was, but when I looked at the figures, I was in for a shock.

It was… 1,000 dollars.

The injustice of it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Blossom’s kid says one little thing, and it’s worth 1,000 dollars. But for Fred, I’m not even worthy of a wedding gift?!

No wonder every time my husband comes home, Blossom and her son are right there with him.

It’s 1,000 dollars every time. That’s 12,000 dollars a year!

It all makes sense now. I make over 1,000 dollars a month, and he makes 500. How could we never have any money saved up? Turns out, all of it’s been going to Blossom’s son!

My husband realized what I’d done and grabbed the check back from me.

Then, in front of everyone, he… slapped me.

“You shameless bitch! How could you steal a gift for a kid? Are you even human?”

“I’m warning you—don’t act crazy. If you do this again, I swear I’ll beat you to death!”

He bent down and handed the check back to Blossom’s son.

“Good boy, hold on to it. Don’t let that evil woman take it again.”

I scoffed. “Blossom’s kid must mean a lot to you, huh? You wouldn’t even give me 1,000 dollars for a wedding gift, you tried to pass off a fake bracelet, but the minute he calls you ‘uncle,’ you hand over 1,000 dollars. What if he calls you ‘dad’? Are you gonna give him all our property?”

Back then, Blossom didn’t even consider my husband because she thought he was useless. She picked the town mayor’s son instead.

But not long after their wedding, the mayor got sent to jail.

The mayor’s son couldn’t handle the shame, got sick from the stress, and eventually died.

Since then, every time my husband comes back, he’s been giving Blossom these flirty looks.

But I was blind, totally blinded by love. I didn’t even notice.

Now, this fake bracelet opened my eyes.

My words set my husband off. He actually grabbed a plate and smashed it on my head!

But I didn’t even try to dodge. I let the blood pour down my forehead.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” he yelled. “If you’re tired of living, just say it!”

“I just feel sorry for her—her and her poor kid. What’s wrong with having a little compassion?”

Then, Blossom played the saint, apologizing to me.

“I’m sorry, I never thought Freddie would hit you.”

She teared up and looked at Fred.

“Freddie, don’t be mad at Desiree. She just loves you too much.”

Then, she changed the subject.

“Desiree, you wouldn’t understand how hard it is to raise a child until you’ve been a mother. Once you have kids, you’ll get it.”

“And actually, I came today to tell you about a method I just found out about that can help you have a boy. But now it seems like my visit wasn’t even needed.”

The moment she mentioned children, not just my husband but even my in-laws looked uncomfortable.

It’s been five years since I married Fred, and we still don’t have a kid. My in-laws have been on my case about it non-stop.

As soon as Marcia heard “baby boy,” she grabbed Blossom’s hand with excitement.

“Really? What method? I knew you were so kind, you’d share it with us. My daughter-in-law doesn’t know what’s good for her. Don’t let her get to you.”

Blossom smiled sweetly. “Oh, how could I? Freddie has been so good to me, so no matter what Desiree thinks of me, of course, I’d still tell you.”

I just let out a cold laugh—no matter what they suggest, none of it’s gonna work now.