My Wife Gave All My Gifts to Her Poor Student. So I Gave Her a Final Gift

Five years into my marriage with Clara, my company went public. And I bought her a million-dollar sports car for her birthday.

But she just tossed the car keys onto the table, eyes narrowed in accusation.

A million dollars? How could you be so reckless?

She linked her arm through Leo's, the financially struggling university student she sponsored.

"Leo survives on less than five hundred a month. Imagine the good that money could have done for him."

I frowned. "I earned every cent. You're my wife. I wanted to give you something spectacular."

"And what?" I added, my voice dropping. "Should I sponsor every struggling student in the city? Is that my job now?"

Seeing my lack of remorse, Clara lost it. She demanded I hand over all my bank cards.

"We've been married five years, and I've never questioned your spending. But from this moment on, you don't spend a single dollar without my approval."

Then, I turned and handed the car keys to Chloe, Clara's best friend.

"Your birthday's next month. Consider this an early gift."

Chloe froze, her eyes darting nervously toward Clara.

Clara stood with her arms crossed, a statue of cold disapproval. "Why are you looking at me? If he gave it to you, it's yours. Keep it."

Chloe hesitated, trying to gently dissuade Clara with a smile.

"Liam's just joking, Clara. You know him."

A chorus of nervous agreement rose around the table.

"Come on, Clara, it's your birthday! Let's not let anything ruin the mood."

"The cake! Liam special-ordered it from that place you love."

Clara cut through the chatter, her tone final. No cake. Leo has a crucial interview tomorrow. I'm taking him back to prepare."

A heavy silence fell. Every pair of eyes at the table shifted to me. They all knew how much I'd done for Clara.

Five years of marriage, I worked relentlessly, all to give her a better life.

So why was she still treating me like this?

Did she really value Leo, that struggling student, more than me?

"Clara, everyone's here for you," Chloe tried again. "Don't spoil the night. Liam planned this for a month. You're the guest of honor. You can't leave him like this."

Clara looked at me. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes.

She was actually hesitating.

A bitter laugh tore through me.

Leo smiled. "Clara, you should stay. My interview tomorrow is nothing."

""Nothing?" Clara's expression sharpened. It's your first interview. It shapes your entire future. How could I not make sure it's perfect?"

Seeing my face darken, Chloe laughed lightly. "When Clara sponsors someone, she sees it through."

See it through?

Watching Clara's undisguised worry for Leo felt like a fist squeezing my lungs. I couldn't breathe.

Leo was her charity case. Her "project." Of course she felt responsible for him.

And I? I was her husband. The man she'd vowed to build a life with.

Shouldn't she feel responsible for me?

She left anyway. Just as she reached the door, she turned back..

"Oh. Hand over the keys to that new sports car. Leo needs something to drive."

I laughed then. A short, hollow sound. I shoved the keys directly into Chloe's hand.

"Sorry, I already gave the car to Chloe." I said, my voice flat. "And if memory serves, the funds you've funneled to Leo over the years could have bought him a fleet of his own. He doesn't need mine."

Clara's face twisted. "Leo has no money. If you don't want to give him the car, just say so. Don't hide behind Chloe."

"Fine," I said. "I don't want to give it to him. And I don't believe he's broke."

"You've sent him $30,000 a month for four years. That's 1.44 million. You claim his rent and expenses are under $500. So, Leo...where did it all go?"

Leo's face paled.

"Where did it go?" Clara's voice was ice. Not everyone is like you, throwing money around while forgetting their family. Every dollar I gave Leo, he sent home. He used it to build a better life for his parents and his village. He understands responsibility. He thinks of others."

"You only ever think of yourself."

Only thinks of myself?

Clara's words hit me like a punch to the chest, knocking the air from my lungs.

So this was her verdict after all my years, all my sacrifices.?Selfish.

It was ridiculous!

It was ironic!

I took a deep breath, looking at the new Chanel clothes Leo was wearing, the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, a mocking curve forming on my lips.

"Is that so?"

"Of course, he-"

Leo quickly cut her off.

"Clara, it's your birthday today. We've already missed out on celebrating because of me. Please, don't fight with Liam because of me again."

Then he looked at me.

"Liam, every mistake is mine. Blame me, just please don't be angry with Clara because of me."

"What mistake have you made?"

Clara pulled Leo behind her, her gaze at me chillingly indifferent.

"Liam, you really should learn more from Leo."

With that, she pulled Leo and walked away.

Watching her leave, I almost lost my footing. I leaned heavily on the table to keep from falling.

Chloe rushed to support me, expressing her displeasure at Clara.

"Clara was out of line. How could she say such things?"

"I'm going to make her apologize to you."

I stopped Chloe, who was about to chase after her, and shook my head with a bitter smile. "Forget it."

At that moment, a thought came to mind.

Those who don't love you can't see your worth, and certainly not your efforts.

I looked at Chloe and the others.

"The guest of honor might be gone, but we'll still have fun. Let's just pretend nothing happened."

Even though I said that, the atmosphere had clearly shifted. After a strained while, everyone gradually dispersed.

Since I'd had quite a bit to drink, Chloe offered to drive me home.

I accepted.

On the way, she said, "Liam, Clara wasn't trying to hurt you. You've known her for years, you know what she's like."

I shook my head.

It was precisely because I knew Clara that my heart ached even more.

She wasn't like this before, but ever since she started sponsoring Leo, she changed.

Every time we had a gathering, she would bring Leo along. And every time, Leo would say something inappropriate.

"A plate of fruit costs fifty dollars? So expensive. You guys are really rich."

"This wine is too expensive. It pains me to drink it. I'll just stick to water."

"My family is poor, I can't afford such fancy places. Don't make fun of me."

He always played the victim, as if we were flaunting our wealth in front of him. And every time, Clara would step forward to defend him.

"Don't pick on Leo, he's shy."

"He said he's not drinking, why are you forcing him? If you want to drink, I'll drink with you."

"Leo, just be yourself. Let's see who dares to laugh at you."

Scene after scene flashed in my mind. I leaned back wearily against the seat, slowly closing my eyes.

"Sigh!"

Chloe's sigh filled the car.

Chloe dropped me off at my doorstep and handed me the car keys.

"Talk things out with Clara. You've been married for five years, it's not worth..."

I cut her off, pressing the car keys back into her hand.

"I already said it was a gift for you. How can I take it back now?"

"But..."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Clara walked out with a smiling Leo.

Chloe's unfinished words caught in her throat.

Clara saw my hand still clasped with Chloe's, and her smile instantly vanished. She demanded coldly,

"What are you two doing?"

Chloe hastily pulled her hand back.

"Clara, don't misunderstand, we..."

"I wasn't asking you. I was asking him."

Clara's gaze was fixed on me.

My attention, however, was entirely drawn to Leo beside her - specifically, the tie around his neck.

It was my tie!

The first gift Clara ever gave me after we started dating.

A sharp pain pierced my eyes. I spoke in a hoarse voice, "That tie looks familiar. I think it's mine."

Clara replied dismissively, "It is yours, but don't you think it suits Leo perfectly?"

I lowered my head, a self-deprecating laugh escaping me.

"It certainly does!"

If the tie suited him, did the person wearing it also suit her?

Chloe glanced at me, then anxiously turned to Clara. "Clara, how could you give Liam's tie to Leo? Don't you know you shouldn't just give away ties like that?"

"What's the big deal?"

Clara shrugged.

"It's just a tie. Liam doesn't wear it often anyway. And don't you think Leo looks really handsome in it?"

"Clara!"

Chloe was about to say more, but I stopped her. I smiled at Clara. "Yes, he looks very handsome. Your taste is as good as ever."

Polished. Borrowed. A carp might glitter in borrowed scales, but it would never be a dragon. The attempt was almost pathetic!

"Of course it is," Clara said, preening.

"Oh, and Liam," she added. "I'll be helping Leo with his final prep tonight. Don't wait up."

I went very still.

My wife, not coming home, for another man?

On her birthday.

The air grew thick. "You're serious," I said, my voice low and dangerously calm.

"When am I not?"

With a dismissive wave, she hooked her arm through Leo's.

"No time to waste. Let's go."

"See you later, Liam!"

Leo said over his shoulder.?The glance he threw me wasn't a smile but a trophy held aloft.

I held his gaze until they were gone, my own smile not wavering. Then I turned to Chloe.

"Find out which company he's interviewing with tomorrow."

Chloe studied my face. "What are you going to do?"

I smiled. "Just a quality check. Let's see what my wife's four-year investment has actually produced."