From the moment Brandon mentioned wanting a PS5, I started saving every penny to be able to get him one for Christmas. I even took longer hours at the hair saloon, hoping I’d be able to purchase the console just ahead of the holiday. It would be the perfect gift.

It wasn’t that Brandon couldn’t afford one. After all, he worked as a pediatrician and made lots of money, but was more the lack of time that prevented him from getting the PS5 he wanted so badly.

When I was finally able to get it with the help of my cousin, who got it from a reseller since it was hard to get, I was overjoyed. Whenever I passed by the closet where I had stored it, I imagined my fiancé’s face when he would unwrap it.

Brandon led a lavish lifestyle. He gave his family early Christmas gifts and it felt like he was on a spree. His mom and dad got his old apartment, but equipped with new appliances. His sister, Nina, received a bracelet and a high-tech art tablet, while his brother was given Brandon’s old Mercedes.

I was eager to see what he had for me, although I was never a receiver, but a giver.

I once mentioned that I needed new hair-styling scissors, so maybe Brandon got me a pair, who knew.

When the time came Brandon to open the gift I got him, his reaction was exactly like I imagined it would be. He was so excited he wouldn’t stop hugging me.

And then, he handed me a tiny present. My heart raced when I tried to open it while Nina was filming my reaction.

I unwrapped the box and to my surprise, it was a box of toothpicks.

“What’s this?” I thought to myself, unable to utter a word.

I looked at Brandon, who was laughing hysterically. His family did the same.

“This has to be a joke,” I murmured.

Nina filmed the entire thing, unable to control her laughter. “You should see your face,” she said, “this video is so going viral.”

I was about to cry. Everyone in the room got very expensive gifts from my fiancé, and I ended up with toothpicks.

“Cheer up, Vanessa,” Brandon said, “you don’t like big gifts anyways.”

I was both hurt and confused, unable to understand what was happening.

Heading towards the bathroom, I let the tears roll down my face. I simply couldn’t contain them any longer.

The laughter was killing me, and hearing Brandon’s family saying I needed to lighten up made my stomach churn.

“Come out, honey,” Brandon said as he knocked on the bathroom’s door. “It was Nina’s idea, getting you a random gift. Isn’t she hilarious?” he continued, not realizing how humiliated I felt.

I did get out of the bathroom, but I didn’t stay where I wasn’t appreciated. Instead, I grabbed my coat and wished everyone a happy holiday.

Brandon’s mom turned to me and said, “You are ruining Christmas over a joke and you are making everyone feel uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable?” I asked with an icy tone. “That’s how I’ve felt all night.”

I went to my mom’s place, crying my heart out the entire night.

“Vanessa, this isn’t the first time Brandon sides with his family over you, maybe you should reconsider marrying him,” my mom said.

While I was having a cup of tea to calm me down, I saw Nina posted the video on her social media. Random strangers laughed and commented under it, and I felt humiliated and defeated.

Brandon came to my mom’s house the following day, carrying what he convinced me was the “real” gift, an exclusive pair of hair-styling scissors.

But I didn’t accept the gift. I knew I didn’t belong with him or his family.

This Christmas taught me that I should love myself more and not let anyone make fun of me the way Brandon and his family did.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace