Once an Invisible wife, Now a Star

I woke up on our 30th wedding anniversary to find a beautifully wrapped gift box in the kitchen.

Alongside the gift box, there laid a letter, beautifully written by my husband which read [To the woman I love the most]

My heart swelled, a fragile, trembling hope blossoming in my chest. After three decades of pouring my life into this family, sacrificing my own dreams, had they finally truly seen me? Did they finally appreciate me?

With trembling fingers, I unwrapped the gift box. There laid two tickets for Alps and a beautiful diamond ring along with a pair of sturdy, stylish snow boots.

I reached my hands for the ring first. It was exquisite, a single, brilliant stone set in a delicate band.

I recalled the day of our wedding when David had proposed to me with a silver ring, promising to give me a diamond ring later. Though the day never came during the past thirty years.

“I’m struggling in business for now. But, I promise you babes, I’ll take you to the mountains of Alps and show you the first snow fall of the season.”

“I know you love cold places.” he had said the first time he went hiking with his friends after our wedding, without me.

Finally, he fulfilled his promise!

I slipped the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly, catching the light as if reflecting the sudden warmth flooding my entire being. A happy tear escaped my eye. This wasn't just a ring; it felt like a symbol, a promise that I was cherished, that I mattered.

Next, I unwrapped the packing of the boots' box, my hands still trembling from the emotion.

I put the shoes on to see if they fit. That's when I heard David barking at me from behind.

“Keep your dirty legs away from that!”

David charged at me. Before I could even react, he pulled the boots out of my hands, the one I hadn't put on yet.

“I-I thought that's for me.” I stuttered. “Isn't it our wedding anniversary gift?”

“At this age, you want me to celebrate our anniversary? Are you kidding?” His words cut deep through my heart.

“This gift… I had specially prepared for Kate. She has been announced as the richest business woman of the city. But, you have ruined everything.” He spat, his voice laced with fury.

He quickly came forward. Snatching the ring from my fingers, he added. “That's for Kate!”

“But, it's our last wedding anniversary together. The next year I might not…” Words were dead before I could complete the sentence, my lips shivered in remorse.

I had been diagnosed with cancer. Last night, Doctors told my family I had only six months left.

I thought maybe just maybe they would appreciate my presence now that I was dying. This was why I dared to think the gift actually meant for me. But, I was wrong.

I was still invisible in their eyes!

“What's all this fuss about?” Ethan, my son walked into the kitchen, throwing his dirty cup in the sink to have me wash them.

“Your Mom assumed these boots were for her. She unwrapped the gift box and dirtied it.” David barked, busy in checking if I had stained the boots he bought for his beloved, Kate.

“Are you serious, Mom?” Ethan laughed, “Do you really think Dad will take you to the Alps to see the snow fall?”

“Have you seen your body thoroughly? You are so weak and sick. You will only humiliate yourself and Dad.” Rosemary, my son's wife, joined him in mocking me.

“Aunt Kate is the same age as you. But, she looks so young and active unlike you, always sickly. It's obvious that Dad would prefer taking her out over you.” She had added.

“And why am I like this?” I rebelled. “Isn't it because I have been doing all the household chores for all of you?”

“Now, you are putting the blame on me?” David yelled, throwing the boots on my face. He didn't even flicker when the boots hit my head.

“Isn't it because you lacked education and were only good at doing household work? Unlike Kate, who is handling her husband’s whole business after his death and is still so beautiful and refreshing.”

David’s words had sent shivers down my spine. Out of all the people, he had the audacity to call me over my education when I had used my college fees to send him abroad to complete his studies.

“David… How can you-” Before I could confront David, he walked closer to me, showing the company name written on the other boot as he barked near my earlobes.

“It was a limited edition boots, the one Kate likes the most. But, you have stained them with your dirty feet.”

“Now go find similar boots for her, and if you can't find them, don't return home.”

After throwing out these words, David left the kitchen.

Rosemary scoffed, “You have brought this to yourself, Mom. How did you even think of comparing yourself to Aunt Kate?”

“Anyways, before leaving to find these boots, please clean Max’s room. He has spilled the soup all over. It smells so bad that I can't step in.” She commanded, before throwing herself on the couch.

I dragged myself towards her and said. “I’m not your maid, Rosemary. If Max has dirtied his room, then clean it yourself. He is your son. It's your responsibility to take care of him.”

Rosemary’s relaxed pupil fluttered and she got up from the couch. “If you aren't a maid, then hire one! Do you have money for that?”

“Everyone here does some job. It's you who doesn't earn a penny and is a free loader for the family.” She yelled.

Seeing the arguments heating up between us, Ethan chimed in. “Why are you taking your anger on Rose, Mom?”

“She has a meeting in the evening. You won't die by cleaning a room, will you? After all, you have been doing these things since decades.”

“Rosemary is different. She hasn't done this type of work before.”

This was my life. A domestic servant, a wife and mother who was nothing but a punchline.

Cooking, cleaning, mending—every single household chore—even balancing the family budget and paying the bills—fell to me.

My shoulders constantly ached from the burden of it all. But despite everything… I was still just a joke to them.

***

After everyone went to their respective rooms, leaving their work for me to do, I was left alone.

I did not go to look for the boots. Neither did I go to clean Max's room. I walked straight to the store room where unwanted things were kept, just like me.

After a long search, I finally found the wooden box that I had kept for years. As soon as I opened them, my eyes were filled with the old pictures- All mine!

I looked happiest in them, singing on stage while people going crazy on me, a dream that I had left behind to look after this family.

Not anymore!

I dialed a number. As soon as the call was picked up, I said, my voice firm.

“I want divorce from my husband of thirty years.”