The Gift That Wasn't

As I watched them walk off laughing to grab breakfast, I took a deep breath, put on my mask and cap, and quietly got out of the car.

Kevin’s place was an old walk-up building with almost no sound insulation. I slipped into the building and hid in the corner between the first and second floors. The place was piled with clutter, just enough to hide me while still letting me clearly hear what was going on upstairs.

I could hear Mrs. Wall’s voice clearly. It was full of envy. “Your daughter-in-law is really something. I saw all those things she brought up last night—cigarettes, liquor… That must’ve cost a fortune, right?”

I held my breath and listened closely.

“Of course!” My mother-in-law’s voice immediately rose an octave, overflowing with pride she could not hide.

“That’s premium whisky! It costs two to three thousand dollars a bottle! Alina bought two whole cases and said she wouldn’t shortchange us old folks. And those cigarettes are Marlboro Premium Black!”

I let out a cold laugh when I heard that.

Those things had been bought with my money! They were bought from my blood, sweat, and sleepless nights!

Mrs. Walls clicked her tongue in admiration. “Such generosity! She’s not like mine, always so stingy. By the way, what happened to your son's previous wife?”

My heart instantly jumped to my throat.

My mother-in-law gave a dismissive snort, like she was talking about something filthy. “Zeena? That useless thing? Already divorced! She’s stingy and good for nothing!”

It felt like I had been struck by lightning. Kevin had actually told others that we were divorced? No wonder he never allowed me to come during the holidays. He always said I should stay with my parents instead.

Just then, footsteps echoed in the stairwell. Kevin and Alina were back. I quickly shrank deeper into the pile of clutter.

Their conversation drifted into my ears.

“Breakfast cost over 50 dollars. That’s so expensive.” Alina’s voice was filled with a teasing, coquettish tone.

“What’s there to worry about? Anyway, that fool is the one paying.” Kevin’s voice was full of contempt and satisfaction.

Alina then asked, “By the way, how much did your ex-wife give this year?”

“Same as always, 10,000 dollars.” Kevin let out a soft chuckle. His tone was dripping with mockery.

Alina hugged him and gave him a quick kiss with a soft smack, then said, “My hubby is amazing. She’s being fooled completely. But you still need to be careful. Don’t let her find out.”

“Find out what?!” Kevin’s voice turned sharp and sarcastic. “She's only focused on work, work, work. She doesn’t even care about the family. Besides, even if she figures it out, so what? The money’s already mine. What’s she gonna do about it?

“Once I drain her completely, I’ll dump her and make her leave with nothing!”

Their laughter faded as they walked away, ending with a door slam.

The stairwell fell back into dead silence. I crouched in the dark corner, grinding my teeth so hard they hurt. I thought of how I had toasted clients across all those nights just to secure that 10,000 dollars, only to end up in an ambulance with a bleeding stomach. I thought of my parents’ guilty, humble expressions in front of those fake bottles of liquor.

A wave of even more violent hatred surged through me.