For the next couple of days, I tried to convince myself that Mark was mistaken. Maybe it was a surprise party, and Jenna didn’t want me to find out.
But deep down, I knew otherwise. She had intentionally left me out.
Why wouldn’t she want me there?
Was she ashamed? Upset? Or had I done something that made her feel I didn’t belong at her side?
The questions gnawed at me, but I couldn’t bring myself to confront Jenna about it directly.
Instead, I opted to discover the truth.
I told myself I would remain calm and just needed answers. I decided to attend the party to understand why she didn’t want me there.
On her birthday, Jenna appeared to be relaxed.
“I’m just going out with some friends for dinner tonight,” she said while sipping coffee at breakfast. “Nothing extravagant, just a small gathering.”
“Really?
I thought we’d share dinner at home,” I said. “I was going to bake your favorite cookies.”
“That’s sweet, Lucas,” she replied. “But Alex suggested we go out for dinner, and I didn’t want to refuse.
We’ll dine together tomorrow, okay? I promise.”
“Alright,” I said, masking my disappointment.
She didn’t mention Le Bijou or anything resembling the grand gathering Mark described. A low-key dinner with friends didn’t ignite suspicion—at least, not until I entered the restaurant.
Walking into Le Bijou felt like stepping into another realm.
The ambiance was filled with wealth—sparkling dresses, tailored suits, and an unmistakable aura of privilege.
At the center of it all stood Jenna. Her smile was as radiant as the chandelier above, but it faded the moment she spotted me.
Panic washed over her face as she made her way towards me.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered urgently.
“I came to celebrate your birthday,” I said. “But it seems you’re having quite the soirée with your friends.
You mentioned you didn’t want to celebrate, but…”
Her face drained of color as she glanced around. “Lucas, it’s not what it looks like. This is just a casual dinner.
I—”
“Mark called it a birthday party when I saw him a few days ago,” I replied. “This doesn’t feel like a casual dinner at all.”
Her shoulders dropped slightly, and she looked back at the table, where her friends scrutinized us.
“Look, it’s complicated,” she said, lowering her voice further.
“Complicated how?”
“It’s just that all my friends’ husbands shower them with extravagant gifts, and you… well, you don’t. I didn’t want them to compare.
I didn’t want them to realize I don’t receive any expensive gifts.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“So, you’re ashamed of me?” I asked. “You’re embarrassed that I can’t afford to spoil you with lavish presents?”
Her silence spoke volumes.
With a heavy heart, I retrieved a small box from my pocket and handed it to her.
“Open it,” I said.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she unwrapped the box, revealing the diamond earrings inside. For a heartbeat, I caught a glimpse of the Jenna I had fallen in love with—the one who cherished simple surprises and thoughtful gestures.
“Oh my God, Lucas,” she gasped, holding the earrings to show her friends.
“These are stunning!”
She summoned her friends over, enjoying their admiration as if the ambiance had suddenly shifted to a celebration of us.
“Lucas, you have to stay,” she said, taking my hand. “Come on, have a drink, let me get you some food.”
But I couldn’t. Something within me had shattered, and no amount of applause or attention from her friends could mend it.
“I can’t stay,” I said.
“The second part of your gift is waiting for you at home.”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What is it? Tell me!”
“You’ll see,” I replied, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before departing.
I didn’t look back.
When Jenna returned home that night, she found the house filled with darkness and an unsettling silence.
The only illumination came from the kitchen, where a single envelope sat on the table. I had left a letter for her.
Dear Jenna,
I spent a year saving for those earrings because I wanted you to feel loved, cherished, and appreciated. You’ve always expressed a desire for jewelry but never indulged yourself, so I hoped to give you something special to show how much you mean to me.
But tonight, I realized that no matter how much I give, it will never suffice.
Hearing you admit to being embarrassed by me, by us, broke something inside me. I’ve always believed that love transcends material possessions, but you’ve shown me that appearances and comparisons take precedence.
So, here’s the second part of your gift: FREEDOM—for both of us.
I am filing for divorce. I deserve someone who appreciates me for who I am, not what I can provide.
And you deserve someone who can meet the lifestyle you obviously desire.
Please do not try to contact me. This is goodbye.
—Lucas
In the days that followed, Jenna called me incessantly, leaving tearful voicemails pleading for forgiveness. She claimed she had made a mistake, that she hadn’t meant what she said, and that she wanted to work things out.
But I was resolute.
I sent her one last text.
Don’t reach out to me again. It’s over.
Then I blocked her number and moved forward with the divorce.
Now, months later, I feel unburdened, as though a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying has been lifted.
Losing Jenna was difficult, but knowing I will never again endure her relentless comparisons or unspoken disappointments?
That relief is indescribable.
