The Unwanted Perfect Husband

“Is this new lingerie from your husband again, Babe?”

Eden’s voice was low, almost a whisper. His eyes moved slowly over the mauve lace that clung to Yilna’s body, tracing the delicate cups, the thin straps, the way the fabric sat against her skin as if it had been chosen with care.

In the quiet hotel room, her breathing came short and uneven. She lay on the rumpled white sheets with Eden above her, the city lights faint behind the half-drawn curtains.

Yilna laughed softly. “Uh–Ah…Yes, Babe. This time his taste is a bit better. He bought one with cups on the bra.”

“Yes. Your boobs look plumper.” Eden murmured as he pushed deeper. “Credit to him for getting the right one this time,”

Yilna’s husband—Thaddeus, had left the box on her dressing table before he went to the market, a small note tucked inside: Happy Birthday, My Wife.

Then, she hurried to the office, taking the lingerie with her, intending to wear it for the man she was having an affair with.

“Lucky me,” Eden said against her neck. “I get to be the first one to see it on you.”

“Ughh—fuck—”

They came together. Soft moans filled the room, then faded into heavy breathing.

Afterward they lay side by side.

Yilna pulled the sheet up to her chest.

Eden reached for a cigarette, the tip glowing briefly in the dim light.

“Today’s your birthday,” he said, exhaling smoke. “They’re probably already waiting for you at home.”

Yilna sighed, staring at the ceiling. “I know. Thaddeus has been cooking since noon. He always does.”

She sat up, slipped the mauve lingerie off, and folded it carefully into a small bag.

Then she reached for her neat work suit and began putting it back on.

*****

At the Kincaid family home, the rich smell of chicken curry, roasted potatoes, and warm chocolate cake filled the kitchen. Thaddeus stood in front of the stove, the back of his black T-shirt dark with sweat. His sleeves were rolled to the elbows.

He turned to his children. Xalia, five years old, sat on the carpet hugging a worn teddy bear. Beside her, three-year-old Raxy at the baby chair.

"Xalia, help Daddy watch your brother, okay? Don’t let him climb the chair.”

Xalia nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”

He ruffled her hair once before returning to the stove.

Today was his wife’s birthday. He had been cooking since noon—her favorite curry with the exact heat she liked, the salad she always said was perfect, and a chocolate cake he had baked himself. Across the top, in careful white icing, he had written the words he still meant: Happy Birthday, My Queen.

In the family room, laughter rose and fell. The entire Kincaid family had gathered—parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, distant relatives who only appeared when there was free food and wine.

They sat on the expensive sofas, glasses in hand, talking about business and upcoming trips. Not one of them looked toward the kitchen.

Raxy began to cry. The sound cut briefly through the noise.

Thaddeus picked him up at once, rocking him gently. “Shh. Daddy’s here.”

From the other room, his mother-in-law’s voice carried clearly.

“Children are such a hassle. Thaddeus, don’t let them ruin the party!"

No one stood up. No one offered to help.

“Sorry about the crying, everyone,” Noura said, glancing around at the relatives with an apologetic smile. “Thaddeus has never been capable of doing much. He can barely handle the children, and the only thing he knows how to do is wash dirty dishes in the kitchen.”

Thaddeus clenched his jaw. For six years, he had been hearing bad comments from his mother-in-law.

Thaddeus had worked as a chef for years, long before he married Yilna. He had never been a man with a prestigious title or an impressive career, but he had done more for the Kincaid family than any of them cared to remember.

Before their marriage six years ago, he had paid off the family’s debts. He had covered Yilna’s younger sister's college tuition.

He had even helped pay the rent for uncles and aunts who had once depended on the family for support.

He had given them everything he could, yet none of it seemed to matter anymore. Every favor he had done, every sacrifice he had made, and every time he had stood by the Kincaid family was forgotten the moment Yilna became a successful CEO.

Since then, Thaddeus had been nothing more than “the unwanted son-in-law.”

Noura appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips.

“Thad, what’s taking so long? Everyone’s been here. Yilna will be home any minute. Hurry up.”

He didn’t turn. “Just a little longer, Mother.”

“Hurry up! Don’t make me look like a fool in front of the whole family. Everyone is waiting, and the party is about to start!”

Noura then walked back into the family room and rejoined the relatives.

Thaddeus turned off the stove and carried the trays to the dining room one by one. No one helped. Xalia and Raxy watched from the corner in silence as their father moved back and forth alone, sweat still on his temples, breathing a little too hard.

Then a relative near the window called out, “Yilna’s home!”

The room came alive. Lights dimmed. People stood, smiling, ready for the surprise.

The front door opened.

Yilna walked in wearing her bright public smile. Beside her, Eden entered in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Everyone knew that Eden had been Thaddeus’s best friend since childhood. They had grown up together in the same orphanage.

However, because Eden worked as an office employee, the Kincaid family valued him more.

“Welcome home!”

“Happy birthday, Yilna Kinclaid!”

“You look wonderful!”

The relatives surrounded them. They greeted Eden with genuine warmth—patting his shoulder, praising his position as a manager, admiring the suit.

Thaddeus waited at the back, the chocolate cake in his hands. Xalia stood close to his leg. Raxy sat quietly in the stroller. Only after every greeting had been given did he step forward.

“Happy birthday, my lovely wife,” he said softly, holding out the cake.

Yilna’s smile was polite, almost distant. “It looks delicious. Thank you, Thad.”

Someone leaned in to read the icing. “It says My Queen.”

“Yeah, that’s only fitting. Yilna really is his queen, and Thad himself is nothing more than her slave, right, Thad?” one of the aunts joked.

The room filled with laughter.

Shein, Yilna’s younger sister, grinned. “What the gift you gave her this year, Thad? Don’t tell me it’s lingerie again.”

More laughter. Louder this time.

“Every year the same thing.”

“A husband who only thinks about one kind of gift.”

“Where’s the jewelry? The real present?”

“Oh my God, so it’s true? He really gives his wife lingerie every her birthday?” one of the relatives asked.

Eden joined in, smiling as if it were all harmless fun. “Yeah, it’s true. My best friend just gave Yilna lingerie again for this time.” He looked at Thaddeus. “Right, Thad?”

The laughter peaked.

Thaddeus slowly turned toward Eden. His expression remained calm, but his eyes locked onto him. “How do you know that I just gave my wife lingerie, Eden?”