On My Mother's Funeral, My Wife Betrayed Me

The day before my mother’s funeral. My wife, Lucy Monroe, told me she was sending a colleague back home.

Honey, I already promised him that and it would be wrong to break my promise. Don’t worry, I’ll be back tomorrow for Mom’s funeral.

That night, I called her, but it was her childhood sweetheart who answered, “Lucy is tired from driving and is sleeping now. Is everything okay?”

I was silent for a moment, then said, “Nothing.”

The next day, I got a call from Lucy.

“Honey, today is Charlie’s mother’s 80th birthday. She’s my godmother and it wouldn’t be nice if I didn’t go. Please postpone Mom’s funeral for a few days until I get back.”

I said, “Okay.”

But it wasn’t about waiting for her to come back to hold Mom’s funeral, it was about a divorce.

——

My mother’s funeral went on as scheduled. I was busy all by myself. From unpacking the coffin, transporting the body, to the funeral, I personally handled every step. Today was Mom’s last day on earth and I couldn’t make any mistakes.

The guests offered their condolences and offered me their condolences. My uncles were furious knowing that Lucy didn’t attend the funeral. They dragged me to her parents’ home to ask how her parents raised their daughter.

But I stopped them immediately. Because there was no need to do so.

This morning, I saw Lucy’s Instagram post. She was busy with Charlie’s mother’s 80th birthday celebration and her mind clearly somewhere else. She was there in body, not in spirit. It would have been better not to come.

I could have completed my mother’s funeral alone. Looking at my mother’s photo on the tombstone, I knew that this world had lost someone who loved me so selflessly.

After my mother’s funeral, I immediately sent Lucy a message.

[Mom’s funeral is over, all is well.]

Lucy didn’t reply. Maybe she didn’t even see it. Or maybe she saw it and didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t know the answer either. But it didn’t matter anymore.

I found a law firm, asking about the divorce details and then entrusted the lawyer to handle it.

As soon as I got home, I received a video from Lucy. The video was packed with people, lively and cheerful, everyone’s face beaming with joy.

Her phone rang, her voice excited, “Honey, you saw that! It’s her 80th birthday, quite a long life.”

I hummed.

She added, “It’s a shame Mom’s gone. Otherwise, I’d have given her a grand celebration for her 80th birthday.”

My heart ached. Yes, mom had gone. So how could a funeral for the dead compare to an 80th birthday for a living person?

Romance at the proposal, sweetness after marriage. Lucy and I had been together for seven years. The seven-year itch, as expected.

Lucy began to become irritable and angry, losing her temper for no reason. Sometimes she’d skip meals for a whole day over trivial matters.

I always indulged her, coaxed her and gave in to her. No matter how harsh her words or how extreme her actions, I endured them.

One day, Charlie appeared beside her, becoming very close and intimate with her. My mother once asked her about this, but she flew into a rage, smashing many things around the house and yelling that she didn’t believe her. But my mother was just asking, not accusing her for cheating on me.

That night, she cried heartbrokenly. For the first time, I felt resentful of Lucy. She had forgotten how kind my mother had been to her when we first got married, treating her like her own daughter.

When my mother was sick and hospitalized, she didn’t even visit once. I figured if she didn’t want to go, then she didn’t have to; I could take care of my mother on my own.

I worked, cared for her and coaxed her all at the same time. Every day was exhausting. But I figured that once the seven-year itch was over, hoping we could get back together. I endured it all. I made it through.

But my mother didn’t. And I finally realized my initial assumptions were wrong. Lucy and I would never be the same again.

The day before my mother’s funeral, she left.

The next day, she called and asked me to postpone it. The reason was actually to attend Charlie’s mother’s 80th birthday.

How could the dead matter be less important the living?

How ridiculous.

She had completely forgotten the phrase “the dead deserved respect.”

Not to mention, she was my mother’s daughter-in-law.

I so hoped that after receiving my message, she would realize her mistake and rush back immediately. Instead, she didn’t reply at all and instead sent a picture of my junior’s mother’s 80th birthday.

At that moment, my heart completely sank.

I packed up my mother’s belongings. My mother had been frugal her entire life, so she didn’t leave much behind. I packed them up quickly. But I didn’t know what to do with a pair of blackened silver bracelets.

My mother had told me that these bracelets were passed down from my grandmother and would be passed down to Lucy after she died. I didn’t want to go against my mother’s wishes. After much hesitation, I finally called Lucy.

I called her over a dozen times before she finally answered. “Honey, what’s up? I’m waiting to take a family photo.”

I chuckled to myself, “Nothing, go ahead!”

She hung up immediately, refusing to ask another question.

I looked at the blackened silver bracelets in my hand and carefully wrapped them. I would keep these silver bracelets. Lucy wasn’t worthy of wearing them.

That night, Lucy posted a photo on her Instagram. With a simple caption, [A Happy Family!]

She was smiling brightly in the photo. I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I’d seen her smile so happily. My eyes vacant for a moment, then I calmly clicked “like.”

I saw Lucy again three days later. She asked me to pick her up at the high-speed rail station. I was puzzled; she’d clearly driven there, so why did she need me to pick her up?

Only when I arrived did I realize she hadn’t come back alone.

Lucy explained to me, “Honey, Charlie, his godmother and some of Charlie’s elders are coming to town for a visit, so I came back with them.”

She was standing next to Charlie and his mother and behind her were seven or eight elderly men and women looking around. I just glanced at them, not saying anything.

Charlie extended his hand to me, smiling, “Please come and pick him up.”

I frowned, but didn’t extend my hand.

Lucy complained, “Honey, Charlie is thanking you.”

Before I could say anything, Charlie’s mother took Lucy’s hand and said, “Lucy, he only has one car and there’s not enough room for all of us.”

“I can call a taxi.” Lucy pulled out her phone.

Charlie’s mother tried to stop her, “Let him call. We’ll just take the car and Charlie will drive.”

Lucy looked at me with embarrassment. I smiled nonchalantly and handed the car keys to Charlie, “It’s okay. You and the others can go first.”

Lucy felt relieved. “Honey, thank you!”

I glanced at Charlie and his mother. They looked smug. But they had no idea. I didn’t care. I called two cars and arranged for Charlie’s seven or eight relatives to go to the hotel.

Lucy was waiting for me downstairs.

“Honey, Charlie and his mother are going to pay their respects to Mother and are getting changed. Let’s wait a while.”

I refused without hesitation, “No, mom doesn’t like being disturbed.”

“But I already promised them. If you don’t let them go, I’m breaking my promise. You have to consider me,” Lucy accused me.

“Besides, they came all the way here and it’s a gesture of kindness. How can I not let them see Mother?”

I didn’t need such a gesture. Just as I was about to firmly refuse, Charlie and his mother walked out of the hotel. Charlie was wearing a black suit, while his mother was wearing a bright red, festive funeral shroud. My face immediately darkened. Wearing a festive red dress on funeral—was it to pay respects to my mother, or was it to show off to her?

Charlie’s mother, completely unaware of her outfit, smiled and waved at Lucy, “Lucy, look, how does this dress look on me?”

Lucy smiled and said, “This dress suits you perfectly. It makes you look younger.”

I stared at Lucy in disbelief. She actually said it suited her.

Lucy didn’t even glance at me. With a docile expression, she helped Charlie’s mother into the car.

When I didn’t move, she came over and said, “Don’t be angry. Godmother just celebrated her 80th birthday. It totally fine for her to wear a bright red funeral attire.”

I looked at her calmly for a moment, then smiled, “You’re right. It’s just a dress!”

Lucy frowned. I didn’t give her a chance to continue and took the driver’s seat. I should have thought of this earlier. How could the dead matter be less important the living?

I shouldn’t have held out any hope for Lucy. Lucy tried to talk to me several times in the back of the car. I ruthlessly interrupted her each time, “Don’t talk to me during rush hour. It distracts me.”

I saw Lucy purse her lips in the rearview mirror.

Charlie’s mother was upset, “Lucy, what’s wrong with your husband? He keeps interrupting you. Godmother doesn’t like him.”

I laughed. What was our relationship anyway? Did I need her affection?

Lucy said, “Godmother, he’s just the way he is. Don’t mind it.”

Charlie’s mother sighed, “It’s a pity you and Charlie didn’t get together back then. Otherwise, marrying Charlie would have been so wonderful. I really want you to be my daughter-in-law.”

Charlie also said, “Lucy, my mother is right. It’s a pity we’re not meant to be together. But the three days I spent with you on my mom’s birthday were the happiest days I’ve ever had.”

Lucy glanced at me anxiously and said to Charlie, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Charlie smiled and glanced at me with disdain. Lucy explained to me, “Honey, Charlie was talking about the three days of my godmother’s 80th birthday. There’s nothing else to it. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“I understand.” I replied calmly.

Lucy didn’t need any explanation. I used to be worried and angry. But now it didn’t matter. Soon, she and I would have nothing to do with each other.

I drove to the cemetery. Lucy was surprised.

“Honey, did you drive to the wrong place?”

“No, this is it.”

Lucy’s face paled.

I turned and looked at her, my tone expressionless, “Mom has already been buried, on the same day you attended Charlie’s mother’s 80th birthday.”