When the Wife Strikes Back

I recently discovered that Marlon Collins, my husband, had changed, and I realized I didn't know him well.

In the past, he didn't care about his appearance or clothes. He just wore whatever was comfortable.

Recently, he started going to the gym every week and bought many clothes that he never wore before.

I found that he even took off the ring on his ring finger.

One night, I got home from work. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Marlon changing clothes with his back to me.

I was stunned. I didn't know when he became so strong.

His baggy T-shirts and sweatpants he used to wear were gone. They were replaced by a tight black T-shirt that highlighted his muscular arms and a pair of slim-fitting jeans he had never worn before.

Marlon turned around and saw me. "What's wrong? What are you doing standing at the door? "

His tone was no different from usual.

"Nothing." I came to my senses, feeling uneasy.

"I have to work overtime at the company recently, so I won't be back for dinner." With that, he changed his shoes and walked out.

I wonder why he needed to work overtime when his company was not doing well.

Marlon and I had been married for three years. I thought that I would have simple and ordinary happiness after marrying him.

Unexpectedly, three years later, my life became a mess.

Before I got married, many men pursued me. Marlon had business dealings with our company, so I became familiar with him after a few interactions.

His home was in the countryside. He was admitted to university and stayed in the city through hard work.

His kindness and honesty made me decide that he was the honest man I would marry to.

After we got married, I gradually discovered that his honesty and kindness were due to the long-term high-pressure control of Linda Collins, his mother.

Over time, he developed a weak character. Because he was indecisive, he did everything according to Linda's instructions and had no sense of responsibility.

He gave half of his monthly salary to Linda, and Linda said she would keep it for him.

When we bought a house, I suggested using his savings to pay for the down payment, but he hesitated and said, "My mother keeps my savings, so it's hard to use it."

Finally, I realized that Marlon's money could be saved easily but be drawn hard.

As usual, we watched TV on the sofa after dinner.

Linda called and asked us for 200 thousand dollars, saying that the house of Vera, her sister, hadn't been repaired for years and leaked when it rained. They wanted to renovate it but didn't have money.

Marlon looked at me hesitantly while Linda was trying to persuade him on the other end of the line.

"Marlon, can we give Vera a hand?"

"Life is hard for her. The house will shelter her. Don't you think so?"

I told Marlon to tell Linda that we were under pressure and had to pay off the mortgage and car loan. If we had to do that, we could only lend 50 thousand dollars to Vera.

Linda was not satisfied and continued, "I know you are under pressure, but we are family and should help each other."

When Linda finished her words, Marlon had no choice but to agree hastily.

After hanging up the phone, I looked at him in disbelief. He remained silent and dared not look at me.

He only met Vera no more than twice a year, but she asked him for 200 thousand dollars. Did she think we were picking gold in the downtown area?

I suppressed my anger and silently took a sip of the cold coffee.