My husband gave me money for breast implants and a nasty birthday note – I taught him a harsh lesson Before receiving a terrible birthday present from husband Jack that destroyed her self-esteem, Nikki thought she had the perfect marriage.
Jack’s preoccupation with perfection forces Nikki to devise a devious scheme to prove her worth and teach her a lesson he won’t soon forget. Although Jack and I have been together for six years, we’ve been married for over a year. At first, everything was like a fairy tale. Jack was the love of my life, my confidant and my greatest friend.
We had an unbreakable bond, lots of laughs and late night conversations. A year ago, I would have laughed at the thought of my Prince Charming becoming just another superficial stranger.
Yet here I am, about to tell the story that completely ruined me. Jack’s innocuous trip to the gym six months ago set off a chain of events that shattered my self-esteem and brought our once perfect life to an abrupt end. It started quietly. Jack was showing me pictures of fitness models with the ‘perfect’ 90-60-90 figure scrolling through Instagram. He exclaimed,
‘Look at her, Nikki,’ his admiring gaze flickered. ‘Isn’t she beautiful? What would you do if you had a body like that? At first I brushed it off with a laugh, thinking it was just harmless admiration. But the remarks didn’t stop. One night, as we were getting ready for bed, Jack said: ‘You know, you’d look amazing if you had a little more boobage.’
‘Have you ever thought about getting breast implants?’ Each comment was like a little knife. When I started looking at myself through Jack’s eyes, it wasn’t very pleasant. I could see all the flaws and imperfections. My self-confidence that I once prided myself on had completely evaporated. But a month ago, on my birthday, that was the last straw.
The day started as usual, but with a sense of excitement that often happens on birthdays. Jack woke me up with a bright bouquet of flowers, their scent filling the room with an almost saccharine sweetness. Jack said: ‘Happy birthday, Nikki,’ and leaned over to kiss my forehead. With a proud and wide smile, he held out an envelope to me. ‘Open it.’ My interest piqued, and I sat down. On my birthday, an envelope? This must be a unique event. I opened it, hoping to find tickets to a dream holiday, a romantic gesture or a meaningful message. Instead, what I discovered was a pile of money.
Not with enthusiasm, but with a rapid heartbeat. ‘That’s very generous, Jack,’ I forced myself to smile. Among the notes lay a folded piece of paper that my fingers lightly touched. I opened it and read the words that seemed to scream at me, ‘Time to renew your mosquito bites.’ My mouth dropped open. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks and the rage and terror boiling in my stomach. Jack smirked, clearly expecting gratitude, and asked in an enthusiastic but uninformed tone: ‘Do you like it?’
I tried to catch the impertinence by looking at him. ‘You want me to get…breast implants?’ He nodded, ignoring the storm that was brewing inside me. ‘Nicky, I’ve been considering that option for a while. You’d look fantastic if you changed your breasts a little. Imagine how people would look at you.’ I suppressed the bile that was on the verge of rising.
I managed to say, ‘Thanks, Jack,’ I said in an even voice. ‘It’s…unexpected.’ ‘Only the best for my girl,’ he replied, kissing the top of my head. ‘I knew you’d be thrilled.’ Delighted? I was furious. Many ways I could have retaliated flashed through my mind, but I realised I had to act more sensibly. I had a lesson for Jack that he would never forget. Over the next few days, I was very good at playing the role of the grateful wife. At dinner I would jokingly tell him, ‘I called the clinic today.’
‘They said the results would be fantastic.’ Each time, Jack came over excited and didn’t notice the hardening of my words. ‘Nicky, that’s fantastic. I’m excited.’ Meanwhile, I was working out my strategy. With the money, I booked a full medical examination instead of making an appointment with a plastic surgeon. Despite Jack’s superficial expectations, I needed to know that I was fine inside and out. With the money I had left over, I made an investment in myself. Defying Jack’s expectations, I joined a gym. I wanted to regain my strength and confidence. I kept my new habit a secret from Jack.
Or rather, I would get up early, go to the gym and get home before he discovered my absence. I got a new haircut and bought amazing new clothes. Every day my confidence grew and I began to see the old Nikki, the one who valued herself, emerge from the shadows. One night I was getting ready for bed when Jack surprised me. ‘You seem different lately,’ he said, wrapping me in a hug. ‘I can’t wait to see the final result.’ I knew he had no idea what was about to happen, so I grinned to myself.
I replied, ‘You’ll see soon enough.’ Jack continued in blissful ignorance, growing more and more excited as the day of my ‘operation’ approached. He didn’t know that his terrible gift had inflamed me and would soon shatter the illusion he had worked so hard to create. I kissed Jack and said: ‘Wish me luck.’
He hugged me tightly and said in a whisper, ‘Nikki, you’re going to look amazing. Everything will change because of this.’ ‘You’re right,’ I replied, with a harsh note in my voice that he let slip past his ears. ‘It will.’ Instead of going to the doctor, I went to a luxurious spa. I had a leisurely lunch, a massage and facial, reveling in the freedom and self-love that Jack’s ‘gift’ had inadvertently given me. In the meantime, I booked a locksmith service to replace the locks on our house. I felt a strange calmness when, upon returning home, I saw Jack’s car in the driveway. It was time.
Entering the house, he looked around for the noticeable change he expected to see. Instead, he found his belongings neatly arranged in boxes by the door and the locks changed. I stood there with a fresh note and an envelope containing the rest of the money. The expression on Jack’s face darkened. ‘Nikki, what’s going on?’ I held out the envelope to him. ‘This is your update,’ I said in a calm, collected tone. ‘It’s time to find someone who meets YOUR standards.’ ‘Nikki, please, let’s talk about this.’
He stammered, regret and confusion evident in his voice. I kept my resolve unwavering and crossed my arms. ‘Jack, there’s nothing to discuss. You’ve made your opinion of me clear enough.’ With a look of desperation on his face, he took a step closer. ‘Nicky, I apologise. I didn’t mean that at all. I just believed it would boost your self-esteem and happiness.’
‘Self-confidence?’ Unbelievable,’ I repeated. You really think I’d be happier with just a couple of implants? Self-confident? Jack, your actions have been callous and shallow.’ His eyes filled with tears. ‘I made a mistake. I can see that now. Nikki, I adore you just the way you are. I was a fool to suggest anything else.’ I shook my head, the unpleasant words he’d said flashing through my mind. ‘You loved a distorted version of me, not the real me.
I need to be loved for who I am, not an idealised version of myself.’ Jack fell to his knees in despair. ‘Please give me another chance, Nikki. I’ll take any action I can get. I’ll go through therapy and change for the better. Please don’t leave me.’ Although I experienced some pity, I realised it wasn’t enough. His actions and words had caused too much damage. ‘Jack, I’ve already offered you many opportunities. There is no turning back. Both you and I have to move on with our lives.’ He clutched desperately at my arm. ‘I can’t let you go. You’re everything to me.’ I slowly pulled my hand away, my heart still hard even though it hurt.
‘When you stopped accepting me for who I am, you already lost me. Jack, goodbye.’ As he gathered his things, an unusual calm descended on me. His expectations no longer weighed on me, and I felt a freedom I hadn’t experienced in months. And the best part? The gym became my sanctuary. I felt better, got fit and made new friends. Laughter and sweat replaced the silent anger that had been plaguing my mornings for months.
Jack’s life, on the other hand, went downhill dramatically. He sent me emotional messages and flowers trying to win me back, but I had had enough. I was unwavering in my resolve. The months of misery and fear he had caused could not be undone by any persuasion. Eventually Jack moved in with his mother for a while as he was overcome with loneliness and homesickness.
As far as I’ve heard, he’s still single and unhappy – a far cry from the self-righteous man who ridiculed me for not meeting his superficial standards. For me, it’s the best thing that ever happened in my life. The gym was originally a source of comfort for me, but now it has become my sanctuary. I get up every morning with the desire to challenge myself – not to meet other people’s expectations, but to meet my own. I feel more resilient now than I did while living with Jack, both physically and mentally. In addition, I have resumed dating.
This time I have found a man who accepts me for who I am, not an idealised image of perfection. He loves me for who I am, we laugh together, and most importantly, he accepts me for who I am. Being around someone who appreciates the real me is motivating and rejuvenating.
I realise my progress as I look back on my journey. Jack’s unpleasant gift was the impetus, the moment of truth that made me reassess my worth and take responsibility for my happiness. It wasn’t always easy, and there were times when the agony seemed unbearable. However, in the end it strengthened me and gave me more confidence in myself.
Remember, everyone reading this: you are enough, exactly as you are. No one has to convince you otherwise. You shouldn’t live a life dictated by other people’s expectations. Recognise your individuality, develop your skills and follow your passions. The right people will love you for what you are. Stay resilient, stay true to yourself and never let anyone make you less bright.
