The Christmas Gift

I met Chris on Christmas, we got married on Christmas, and today marks our seventh anniversary. But instead of celebrating us, he brought home his first love.

They walked in wearing matching outfits, like they were the couple, while I was in an apron looking like the hired help.

“Honey, it’s the holidays. The more, the merrier, right?”

Then, before I could even blink, he’d pulled his arm around Sarah, and was ushering her to the table like she belonged there.

Chris, who usually has a memory like an elephant, suddenly went blank when he saw the “Happy 7th Anniversary” cake.

I knew he’d forgotten. Ever since Sarah came back into the picture, I’ve been getting less and less of his attention.

I took off my wedding ring, placed it on Sarah’s finger, and looked at Chris.

I smiled.

“Happy anniversary. Let’s get a divorce.”

1

“What the hell was that, Hazel? You can't just end our marriage that easily!”

Chris dropped Sarah off and came back yelling at me.

I didn’t say a word. Just looking at him now made me sick, and I was too exhausted to argue. He took my silence as guilt and kept going.

“We were supposed to be having a nice Christmas, and you had to go and be petty and dramatic. Now look, the whole day’s ruined and we’re all pissed off!”

He was really something. Like he hadn't brought Sarah here, like he hadn't forgotten about our anniversary, and like he hadn't decided to spend Christmas day with another woman.

“I’m being dramatic? You’re not even hearing yourself right now.”

My voice was cold and I couldn’t help it. Chris, sensing that, got even angrier.

“You’re being a drama queen! As if divorce is something you just casually throw out there. If you hadn’t done that, Sarah wouldn’t have stormed out. Let me tell you, Hazel, I had to apologize to her for like an hour, and you better apologize to her too when you see her again.”

I scoffed. Why should I apologize? I’d spent the whole day cooking, cleaning, and even baking a cake. Why was I the one who needed to say sorry?

Chris pulled out the ring I’d given Sarah, the one that was meant for me, looking furious. “You better take care of this, you don't just go around giving your wedding ring away!”

I didn’t take it. I looked down at the ring, examining it. The ring that was always a bit tight on me, fit Sarah perfectly.

Chris frowned, seeing me make no move.

“Hazel! Stop it already!”

“Stop what, Chris? Are you even considering my feelings here? What was the point of bringing her over here on our anniversary?!”

I stood up and glared at Chris, and his face flickered with a moment of guilt, but then he went right back to acting tough.

"It's Christmas, Hazel. Sarah's all alone, no family and all. What’s wrong with inviting a friend over to celebrate. I didn't overthink it, okay?"

I looked at him and just felt numb.

It had been a week since he’d brushed me off.

He probably didn’t even realize it, but it was clear to me that he didn't love me anymore.

Sarah was his priority. He eve...