USELESS HUSBAND?, TRY ULTIMATE GOD FATHER

“Is this really what you want me to wear?”

Chris stood in front of the mirror, fingers tugging at the stiff collar of the shirt Charlotte had laid out on the bed.

The fabric felt foreign against his skin, like a costume he hadn’t auditioned for.

Charlotte didn’t look up from her phone. “Yes. It’s fine.”

“It’s just… not really my style.”

She sighed, finally lifting her eyes to him.

“Chris, it’s a year-end celebration. Every name that matters will be there. Can we not do this today?”

“I’m not trying to do anything,” he said quietly. “I just thought…”

“You thought wrong,” she cut in, already tapping her screen again.

“Wear it. We’re running late.”

That was the end of the conversation. Like most of them lately.

Chris sighed deeply

He wore it anyway.

They drove without speaking, the silence stretching between them until it felt heavier than words.

Chris watched the city blur past the window, knowing conversation would only make things worse.

When the car finally pulled up, he looked ahead and saw the Grand Meridian Hotel glowed like it existed in a different world. Several men stood at the entrance, dressed better than hotel security, their hands folded neatly in front of them. Crystal chandeliers, soft instrumental music, laughter that sounded practiced.

Chris followed Charlotte inside, one step behind her, his hand brushing the small of her back out of habit. She didn’t acknowledge the gesture.

“Charlotte!” a voice called.

Veronica Woods emerged from a group of elegantly dressed guests, champagne flute in hand, her smile wide and calculating.

“Star of the night,” Veronica said, kissing Charlotte’s cheek. “Look at you. Absolutely glowing.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte replied, smiling easily.

Veronica’s eyes slid to Chris.

“Oh,” she said. “You came too.”

“Yes,” Chris said.

“And Happy anniversary to us. It's three years today.” Chris said happily

There was a brief pause.

Veronica tilted her head. “Right. That was today, wasn’t it?”

Charlotte chuckled lightly. “It slipped my mind too.”

Bianca stood nearby, scrolling through her phone.

Chris looked down at his shoes and smiled weakly.

His wife forgot about their anniversary?

Ridiculous!

But he decided to shrug it off. Tonight was for Charlotte and he is so proud of her achievements.

“Hi, Bianca,” Chris said.

She glanced at him. “Hey.”

Lucas Wood, Charlotte’s step-brother heard his voice and approached, drink in hand, scanning Chris from head to toe.

“Interesting shirt choice. Charlotte dress you again?”

“It’s called coordination,” Veronica added sweetly. “Some men need help.”

Camilla, Charlotte’s closest friend leaned toward Bianca. “Imagine needing permission to dress yourself.”

They all burst into laughter.

Chris forced a smile.

“I badly need a drink.” He said to himself

“Excuse me for a moment.” He said sweetly to Charlotte but as he turned, whispers and quiet gasps spread through the crowd.

He looked back, curious to see what had caused the reaction.

“Fabio!” Veronica’s voice rose with excitement.

Fabio DeLuca entered like the room belonged to him. A loose circle formed around him without instruction.

“Fabio, darling,” Veronica said, moving quickly. “You made it.”

“I said I would.” He replied calmly.

Charlotte turned.

“Fabio,” she said, her face lighting up. “You made it.”

Fabio hugged her close, placing a gentle kiss on her right cheek.

“For you?” he replied. “Always.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Fabio said again, his eyes lingering on her a second too long.

His gaze landed on Chris briefly. Just long enough. But he said nothing to him.

“Chris,” Veronica called suddenly. “Be useful, will you? Get Fabio a glass of red wine.”

Chris hesitated. “There are servers…”

Charlotte’s gaze cut to him. Sharp. Warning.

“I prefer red wine.” Fabio said to Chris sharply.

He returned moments later with the glass.

“Here you go.”

When he returned, Fabio accepted the glass, studied it, then with a sinister smile on his face, he tilted his wrist just enough.

Red spilled across his shirt.

The room went silent

“Careless,” Fabio said mildly, inspecting the stain. “Do you know how expensive this fabric is?”

“I…no…I didn’t…” Chris tried to say something

Charlotte rushed forward. “Chris, what is wrong with you!?”

Chris searched for words, but they slipped away from him.

He faced Charlotte and tried to explain, but Camilla cut in.

“Do you know what you’ve done, Chris!?” Camilla said loudly.

Lucas stepped forward and grabbed his collar. “Apologize to him right now!”

Chris turned and looked at Charlotte.

“You know I wouldn’t…”

Smack!

Veronica slapped him.

The sound echoed.

“Enough! Apologize to Fabio right now, Chris” she said.

“What?

His voice broke. “I’m sorry.”

“Louder.” Veronica pressed.

“I’m sorry, Fabio.”

Fabio adjusted his jacket. “Good.”

Chris chuckled dryly.

He looked at Charlotte again.

She just stood there and watched them ridicule him in front of all these people?

This night couldn’t get any worse.

But he was wrong.

At dinner, Chris sat among people who spoke around him, not to him.

Fabio led most of the conversation, subtly humiliating him.

“So, Chris,” Fabio said, swirling his wine, “what do you do again?”

“I’m developing an app…”

“Oh,” Bianca laughed. “That thing.”

Lucas leaned back. “How’s that going? Any profits yet?”

Chris swallowed. “It’s still in development.”

Fabio chuckled. “Ah. Ambition is admirable” he said, cutting his steak slowly.

“But without backing, it becomes dangerous.”

Laughter followed.

Charlotte flushed with embarrassment.

“Must be nice,” Fabio continued, “having a wife who actually pays the bills.”

The table erupted in laughter again.

Chris was overwhelmed.

His head spun from the alcohol, a desperate haze to dull the sting of the ridicule he’d endured.

Unable to breathe, he stepped onto the balcony.

Charlotte sighed deeply.

“Please excuse me.” She said as she followed him.

Charlotte walked briskly to catch up with him.

When Chris saw her coming, he took in deep breaths.

“I just need a moment to clear my head, Charlotte.” Chris said in a low tone.

“You must be mistaken that I came here to comfort you, Chris.” Charlotte replied coldly.

Why the hell did you leave the party like that?” she asked fiercely.

“For God’s sake, Charlotte! I was being laughed at! Ridiculed!” Chris said with pain visible in his voice.

“You’re too sensitive.” Charlotte said with disdain

“They laughed at me.” Chris said as he looked at her in disbelief.

“Then grow thicker skin.” She replied coldly.

He looked at her. “Do you even care?”

“Three years today. Three years since I’ve decided to live with you. Did you even remember?” Chris spoke, his eyes heavy with pain.

“Why are you bringing that up again? It’s just an anniversary. It skipped my mind!” she said haughtily.

Chris stared at her in disbelief

Where had the sweet girl he once fell for, gone?

Before he could say something else, a voice broke out.

“Charlotte,” Fabio said, stepping out.

“Can you walk me to the restroom?”

She gave Fabio a bright, easy smile, one Chris hadn’t seen in months and said, “Of course.”

Chris couldn’t believe his eyes.

He moved before he could stop himself, catching her hand as she turned to follow Fabio.

“Are you really leaving, Charlotte?” Chris asked, the question trembling on his lips.