The Princess Golden Cage

My husband showed up at Christmas Eve dinner with his first love.

I finished the meal with smiles and composure.

Once we got home, I immediately threw the divorce papers in his face.

Without a moment's hesitation, he signed them and said harshly in anger, "I'll be better off without you."

The corner of my mouth raised to reveal a mocking smile.

What a joke. As a man who lived off me, how could he be better off on his own?

1

At the Christmas Eve dinner of the Holden family, I stood up to serve Kayla Holden, the mother of my husband, food. "Kayla, try this roast turkey."

Kayla glanced at it and tossed it back onto the table.

She deliberately embarrassed me under the watchful eyes of a dozen family members

I pretended not to mind it, smiling, "Kayla, it's Christmas Eve. Please don't be upset."

Kayla slammed her fork down. "Easy for you to say. My son doesn't even come home for Christmas Eve dinner. How can I not be upset?"

She then blamed it on me, "If you had children, my son wouldn't make himself so busy with work and even refuse to come home for Christmas Eve."

Her harsh words were like a dagger piercing through my facade of having a perfect family in front of everyone.

Cecil and I had been married for three years.

During the last three years, I juggled work and managing the household.

I considered myself a good wife.

The only fly in the ointment was that after three years, despite not using any precautions, we still didn't have a child.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I quickly got up, escaping the tense atmosphere at the dining table.

When I opened the door, I saw Cecil standing outside.

I was a bit surprised, "Shouldn't you be working overtime now?"

Before Cecil could answer, someone slipped out from behind him, smiling, "I called Cecil back. It's so lonely for him to work overtime alone at the office."

She added, almost accusingly, "As Cecil's wife, you should care more about him."

I frowned at Zoe, wondering why she was here.

2

The first time I saw Zoe was through a picture of hers in Cecil's wallet.

She was in a school uniform, smiling heartily.

Cecil carefully tucked this photo into his wallet interlayer.

Once, while I was doing Cecil's laundry, the photo fell out.

That day, I confronted him with the photo, and we had a huge fight.

We didn't speak for half a month before he finally told me she was his first love.

They grew up together, and he had liked her since they were kids.

Unfortunately, young love didn't last long.

Zoe went abroad for further studies after high school, and they lost contact with each other.

It was at that time that I learned her name was Zoe Burgess.

Since then, I never saw her photo again.

When I asked about it later, he said he threw it away.

Since he claimed so, I didn't press further.

Before I snapped back to reality, Zoe pushed past me and entered the house.

I asked Cecil in a low voice, "Why is she here?"

Cecil's tone carried a hint of concern, "Zoe came back to the country recently. It's lonely for a girl to spend Christmas Eve alone, so I invited her to join us."

Suppressing my displeasure, I returned to the dining table with Cecil.

By then, Zoe had already taken my seat.

She chatted with Kayla, making her laugh, even bringing a rare smile to Erick's usually stern face.

The atmosphere at the table was a stark contrast to when I was there.

I stood aside, watching them.

It dawned on me that Zoe seemed more like part of the family, while I was an outsider.

I always knew Kayla didn't like me.

I wasn't her ideal daughter-in-law.

I was neither obedient nor endearing. I couldn't cook or do housework.

In Kayla's words, I was the type who could never make a dutiful wife.

Perhaps, in her eyes, my only advantage was my good family background, which could provide her son with resources and connections.

Zoe turned around, looking at me with unease and surprise, "Oh dear, did I take your seat?"

With that, she tried to stand up and return my seat.

Cecil stopped her, "It's Christmas Eve. And you're our guest. Just take this seat. It doesn't matter she has no seat."

Upon hearing these words, Zoe smiled sweetly at Cecil.

She then turned to me, looking at me earnestly and waiting for me to express my agreement.

Her demeanor clearly put me under moral blackmail in front of everyone.

I felt a pang of sadness. It was Christmas Eve. Why should I stand while she could take a seat?

I had prepared all the dishes on the table on my own.

I had been tirelessly standing all day, my back aching and legs sore, yet I couldn't even get a seat.

I learned to cook after marrying Cecil.

Kayla complained about my lack of cooking skills and said takeout was unhealthy, so I enrolled in a cooking class and studied earnestly for six months.

While I was not a master chef, my cooking was good.

Despite my discomfort, I agreed, "It's fine. Just take the seat."

Zoe smiled sweetly, thanking me, "Thank you so much. You're so kind."

I saw a triumphant smile flashing across her face.

And so, I smiled through the Christmas Eve dinner.

3