This lazy woman is hanging on my neck, I’d kick her out, but I feel sorry, she’ll perish without me..

How to pay it back later? Olivia, who by then had already prepared a gift for her husband, expensive watches, lost her speech for a moment. Then she recovered and said, «Nicholas, I’m very surprised.

You’ve talked so many times about my earnings as pitiful pennies. Now, it turns out, you think differently?» «No, dear, I meant something else. You see, I didn’t want you spending your personally earned money on family needs.

That’s my job as the man. My duty is to take care of you.» «Commendable,» Olivia approved.

«But what’s changed now? If before it was shameful for you to take money from me, is it okay to ask for it to pay for the restaurant?» «Are you offended at me?» Nicholas exclaimed. «I’ve realized everything.

Yes, I was wrong.» He looked at his wife attentively. «I’m guilty of unintentionally offending you with my words.

But understand, we men are like that. We feel awkward if the wife is more successful in her career and earns more money. Because of that, we often say stupid things, don’t take it to heart.»

Her husband’s words touched Olivia. Finally, she waited. Had her spouse really understood he was wrong and not offended his wife with his words and actions?

It’s good she didn’t act rashly and make hasty decisions. A woman feels calmer and more secure with a husband. Olivia fulfilled Nicholas’s request with great joy.

She paid for the restaurant and decided to also give him the watches. After all, she prepared this gift in advance. In addition to the watches for her beloved husband, she bought an expensive suit so Nicholas would look like man of the year at his birthday.

For herself, Olivia bought a beautiful evening dress, got makeup and hair done at a salon. The party promised to be grand. And all the guests gathered at the appointed time at the restaurant.

People approached Olivia and gave compliments. She looked so stunning. Nicholas saw and heard all this.

The displeased expression on his face eloquently said he was outraged to the core. After all, it’s his party. So nice words should be said only to him.

Why involve his wife at all. The celebration proceeded as planned. The banquet menu was beyond praise.

The emcee was exceptionally fun but also refined. Guests were feasting and joking fully. Many toasts were raised to the birthday boy’s health…

Nicholas downed one glass after another and must have gotten drunk quickly. It so happened he sat at the table between two ladies. His wife was the neighbor on his left, and a work colleague on his right.

It was quite noisy due to live music and guest chatter. Suddenly the musicians cut off the melody abruptly, and Olivia clearly heard the words Nicholas addressed to his colleague. — Irene, you’re such a beauty, of course.

I can’t take my eyes off you all evening. Not like my Olivia. It feels like she’s given up on herself long ago and stopped taking care of herself completely.

After all, we men love with our eyes. Eh, I rushed into marriage. Well, why after divorce did I marry someone my age?

Friends warned me. Choose a young one. What was I thinking.

Olivia listened to her husband and couldn’t believe her ears. Irene apparently replied something to Nicholas, but her words were hard to hear. She was sitting farther away.

But Olivia made out her husband’s speech very well. Meanwhile, he continued to charm young Irene. And here this hen sits on my neck.

The house isn’t cleaned. Food is just dumplings and sausages. And I, by the way, give her decent money for housekeeping.

What housekeeping? He waved his hand. Did you see her dress?

I paid for that. But it looks on Olivia like a saddle on a cow. I’d have left her long ago.

But somehow I feel sorry. Where would she go without me? But today I thought…