A biased wife

Chapter 1

My seven-year-old son, Mikey, had one eye blinded by a bully, and the school was doing nothing. Only Mr. Davis, the young, new teacher, stuck up for him. My wife, Jenny, felt incredibly grateful and invited him to dinner. He showed up looking sharp, all dressed up.

Mikey, though, was trembling at the table. He was terrified. He knocked over a bowl of soup, splashing it all over Mr. Davis.

“Slap!” Jenny backhanded Mikey so hard I almost lost it. But Mr. Davis didn’t even flinch. He just smoothed things over.

I was starting to really like the guy, until I saw him kissing my wife.

I heard him say, “Jenny, my daughter, Chloe, blinded your son with a marble and bullies him at school. Aren’t you furious? And your husband seems to be in the dark. If he found out…”

“He won’t,” Jenny said firmly. “And even if he did, I’d file for divorce! I’ll get custody.”

I was stunned. In the corner, I saw Mikey.

1

He was sitting there, lips pursed, his good eye welling up with tears. He clutched a worn, dirty teddy bear—the only gift Jenny had ever given him. He opened his mouth like he was about to call out, “Dad…”

Without thinking, I rushed over and covered his mouth.

The kissing got more intense. I could hear clothes rustling.

Mr. Davis’ breath hitched. “Jenny, if your parents hadn’t interfered, we would’ve gotten married years ago. Now there’s nothing stopping us. When…when are you going to divorce him?”

“I’m not divorcing him!”

“But you hate Mikey being blind, it’s embarrassing for you. And you’ve never liked me, you said I wasn’t romantic enough.”

“I’m not leaving. They’re my husband and my son. They’re my family!”

The kissing stopped.

I held Mikey close as Jenny saw Mr. Davis out. They were so polite, so perfectly normal, except for a few lingering glances.

As soon as the door closed, Jenny stamped her foot, tears streaming down her face. I saw the blocked contact on her phone – Mr. Davis had blocked her.

She seemed genuinely upset. Mikey brought her a glass of water, his face full of concern. “Mommy, water!”

“CLANG!” She knocked it out of his hand. The glass shattered, water splashing everywhere.

“What the hell?” I rushed to Mikey. A shard of glass had cut his face.

Jenny cried, “It’s all your fault! Mikey got bullied at school, and Mr. Davis helped him. I just asked you to serve the soup, to make a good impression, and you…you messed it up! Mr. Davis is mad, you understand? He won’t come over anymore! Can you handle that?!”

Her anger was misplaced. Mr. Davis had blocked her.

Mikey felt instantly guilty.

“Waaah, Mommy, I’m sorry! Don’t be mad! I’ll apologize to Mr. Davis.”

“Too late!” Jenny stormed into the bedroom.

That night, I lay beside her, unable to sleep. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

I always thought Jenny was a driven career woman, too focused on her work to care much about the home. Because I loved her, I handled everything else.

Until a year ago, when Mikey was blinded. Jenny became obsessed with him, taking charge of everything – finding the culprit, the lawsuit, everything. Night after night, she stayed by his side.

I thought she loved him, she just didn’t show it. Now I see…her constant vigilance, keeping me out of it, was all to protect the real culprit.

2

But why? Mikey was her son, the child she’d nurtured, loved, and poured her heart into!

I was exhausted after a sleepless night. Jenny brought me honey water. She rarely did that.

“Breakfast is ready,” she said. “If you’re not feeling well, you don’t have to iron my shirt. I can do it myself.”

She dressed and washed Mikey, then served him breakfast.

“Mommy’s the best! Thank you, Mommy,” Mikey said sweetly.

Jenny leaned down and kissed his forehead.

It was all so idyllic, until we left for work.

I heard Jenny say, “Mikey, remember to apologize to Mr. Davis. And I packed you a mango for Chloe.”

A chill ran down my spine. Mikey was allergic to mangoes. And Chloe…Chloe was the girl who’d blinded him! The one who’d been bullying him at school!

“I don’t want to,” Mikey mumbled.

“You have to. It’ll make her stop bullying you.” Jenny was already rushing off to work, not seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

I took the mango and threw it in the trash.

“Wow, Dad, you’re awesome!”

I smiled and took Mikey to school.

I felt uneasy all morning. I went to the school and saw Mikey being treated like a dog by Chloe and her friends. They were riding him like a pony, yelling, “Giddy up, giddy up!”

My blood ran cold. My son…

I climbed over the fence, pulled Chloe off him, and hugged him tight.

“Waaah, Dad, you’re here, waaah…”

My heart felt like it was breaking.

The other kids scattered when I arrived, leaving only Chloe, hands on her hips. “Mikey, get down on your knees! You were supposed to bring me a mango! I’m not done playing!”

My anger exploded. I kicked Chloe over.

“You little monster! How dare you treat my son like a dog?!”

Chloe burst into tears. “My mom was taken from me! Mikey’s a bad guy! He stole my mom!”

I was speechless. Children don’t hide secrets well.

In the office, Mr. Davis was gently coaxing apologies from Chloe. He was so calm and soothing, offering Mikey snacks.

Until Jenny arrived…

3

Without a word, she slapped Mikey twice.

“Slap! Slap!”

“How many times have I told you to be nice to Chloe? You’re a boy! You shouldn’t bully girls! Mikey, this is unforgivable. I don’t need a son like you.”

Before Mikey could fully cry, I held him, comforting him softly.

Mr. Davis said softly, “It’s just kids. Let’s forget about it. Chloe got a few bumps and bruises, a little nosebleed. It’s nothing.”

This was getting out of hand.

Before I could say anything, Chloe, with dried blood on her face and clothes, started screaming.

I was shocked. Where did that blood come from?

Jenny was frantic, completely ignoring the fact that her daughter had ridden Mikey like an animal. She was hugging and comforting Chloe.

In the end, we paid them ten thousand dollars.

On the way home, Mikey was quiet and withdrawn, shielding his eyes.

In the car, Jenny kept nagging him.

“Why does Chloe only bully you? Mikey, what’s wrong with you?”

“I specially bought you the most expensive mangoes, cut them up nicely, and you still ate them all and didn’t share. You’re so greedy!”

“You didn’t see how heartbroken Chloe was? Mikey, I don’t care if you have to be a dog or a cat, but make Chloe happy!”

Mikey broke down crying. “Waaah, Mommy, I don’t want to! Chloe’s a bad person! I don’t want to be her dog!”

“Stop crying!” I stopped Jenny from hitting him again and we had a huge fight.

Jenny stormed off.

I couldn’t sleep. My heart ached.

I always believed Jenny was a strong, independent woman, too ambitious to care for home life.

Until the incident with Mikey, and I always took pride on doing all the behind work and support.

Until now, where I finally realized her constant vigilance and keeping me at bay was a cover up to protect the real culprit.

I hired a private investigator to look into Jenny. I also accessed her computer and found a file called “My Love.”

It contained thousands of pictures of Mr. Davis and Chloe over the past eight years – from his marriage to his widowhood. Jenny had obscured the faces of the women in the photos.

Mr. Davis had lost his wife six months ago, and their relationship blossomed.

Jenny skipped Mikey’s birthday to take Chloe to a piano recital.

On our anniversary, I made a big dinner, Mikey and I waited until 11 PM. Jenny came home late, not from work, but from a movie with Mr. Davis.

On my grandmother’s death, I was devastated. Mikey comforted me, but Jenny was at a bar with Mr. Davis.

And so much more.

“Dad, you’re crying!”

I was sobbing. Mikey brought me tissues, covering his blinded eye and squinting with his good one.

“Dad, did you and Mommy hate me for being blind? Waaah…Dad, don’t hate me! My other eye sees well!”

Holding my son, seeing his vulnerability…I slapped myself.

“I’m sorry, Mikey. I failed to protect you.”

When Jenny returned with more mangoes, wanting Mikey to make desserts for Chloe and apologize…

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Jenny, if you keep siding with them, we’re getting a divorce!”

4

“What?” Jenny’s eyes widened. “You’re crazy! I haven’t even mentioned divorce, and you dare to leave me?”

My phone buzzed. It was the investigator. The picture showed Jenny and Mr. Davis kissing passionately in a hotel room.

She was pinned against the window. It looked like a scene from a movie. The picture was beautiful, but it tore my heart apart.

Jenny was still yelling at me.

“You asked me to marry you! You promised me forever, when I was taking care of Mikey! What are you doing?”

Jenny’s eyes were red. She rarely cried.

“Did you have an affair? Who is she?”

“Why are you doing this? Why?”

She stormed into the bedroom, dragging Mikey out.

“Tell me, has your father been with other women? Is he having an affair?”

I almost lost it.

“Jenny, what are you doing? Mikey is so young, how can you say that to him?”

We were shouting. Mikey was screaming.

“Mommy and Daddy, stop fighting! Waaah…” He tried to grab Jenny’s hand. “Mommy, I’ll apologize to Chloe tomorrow.”

“It’s too late!” Jenny pushed him away.

She glared at me, ready to fight.

After our wedding, it wasn’t exactly romantic, but we were happy. Since Mr. Davis’ wife died, things had been getting worse.

We’d fought more in the last six months than the previous seven and a half years.

The phone rang.

Jenny instantly calmed down, her mood swinging like a pendulum.

“What? Chloe has a fever? Okay, I’m coming.”

She left without another word, ignoring me.

“Mommy, Mommy, don’t go! Don’t go!” Mikey chased after her, tripping. Jenny didn’t even look back.

“BANG!” The door slammed shut.

That night, I held Mikey. He was restless, having nightmares. He mumbled about dogs, bad guys, and needing help.

I couldn’t believe what my son had endured.

5

The next morning, when I took Mikey to school, Chloe and her friends were waiting outside. They had sticks.

Mikey trembled. “Dad, can I stay home? I don’t feel well.”

I glared at Chloe. She mouthed, “You’re finished.”

“Okay, son, we’ll stay home.” I picked him up. “This school is bad. We’ll find a new one.”

In the office, Mr. Davis was still charming and kind.

He poured us tea. “Leaving school now? It’s almost the end of the semester. Changing schools will disrupt Mikey.” He glanced at Mikey.

Mikey was shaking. He hung his head, tears falling.

I spoke firmly. “It’s because of your negligence! Mr. Davis, I’m reporting you to the school board for allowing your daughter to bully and harass my son. They tore up his work, beat him up, and treated him like a dog. Do I need to get evidence and go to the principal, the school board, the newspapers, and the TV stations?”

Mr. Davis frowned. He was still very good at hiding his true feelings.

He said lots of nice-sounding things that meant nothing.

“Mr. Miller, you’re like this, no wonder Jenny doesn’t like you. She likes men who are reasonable and sophisticated.”

I slammed my fist on the table.

He smirked. “Leaving school is impossible. If you persist, I’ll have him expelled.”

Expulsion! It would go on his permanent record.

“You’re cruel, Mr. Davis! It’s elementary school, and bullying is still happening. You’re the real bully!”

I pulled out my phone. “Principal, did you hear that? This school is supposed to be one of the best in the city. You need to deal with this!”

Mr. Davis’ eyes widened in disbelief.

He tried to grab my phone. I dodged him and put it on speakerphone.

The principal’s furious voice boomed:

“Mr. Davis! Do you want to keep your job?! If you don’t handle this, I’ll fire you!”

Before I could hang up, someone burst in. My face went pale.

6

“You dare bully my dad? I’ll kill you!”

Chloe charged in with a knife. I kicked, and Mr. Davis threw a cup of hot tea at me.

I got hit in the forehead. I saw Chloe stab Mikey in the stomach.

“Mikey——”

Chloe pulled out the bloody knife and stabbed again.

“You stole my mom and bullied my dad, I’ll kill you!”

I pulled Mikey back, cutting my arm on the knife.

Mr. Davis finally subdued Chloe. I rushed Mikey to the hospital.

Jenny arrived while I was shouting at the principal and demanding Mr. Davis be fired.

…

“Fired? No!” Jenny stepped in front of me. “It’s just a scratch. It’s not a big deal. Mr. Miller, you want Chloe expelled and Mr. Davis fired? That’s too much!”

That was worse than Chloe’s knife.

I snarled, “Jenny, do you know what you’re saying? Say it again! Say it again!”

Behind her was Mr. Davis. He was wearing a different shirt, his hair was messy, but he looked even more pitiful.

“Jenny, it’s my fault. I didn’t raise Chloe properly! Mr. Miller, I’m sorry. I’ll pay all of Mikey’s medical bills.”

He shoved a thick envelope into my hand.

He leaned in, whispering, “Mr. Miller, Mikey’s already blind. If he becomes…well, you know…do you think Jenny will still want him?”

I froze. I saw the pure malice in Mr. Davis’ eyes.

It was deliberate! He’d done this on purpose!

“Mr. Davis, you monster!” I punched him.

I didn’t aim for his face. I went for his stomach and groin, and I really laid into him.

He pretended to take it at first, but soon he was screaming in pain.

“Mingko! Mingko!” Jenny screamed, “Mr. Miller, stop it! Stop it!”

“Slap! Slap!” She slapped me twice, outside Mikey’s operating room, defending his attackers.

“Ha! Hahaha! Jenny, you have no heart! You’re a terrible mother!” I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

The principal and others pulled us apart.

Mr. Davis was very good at acting. He was battered, but still looked at Jenny with tearful eyes.

“Jenny, don’t be like this. If I getting hit makes Mr. Miller feel better, if it helps make things up to Mikey, then I’ll take it.”

I watched Jenny soften. Mikey’s life hung in the balance, and yet she felt sorry for his attackers.

Then she said, “It’s okay, Mikey isn’t even my real son! Mingko, don’t worry, I won’t blame you!”

Silence fell. Everyone stared at me in shock.