“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” he added, his tone suggesting I should be thanking him.
“It’s definitely a surprise,” I replied, focusing on keeping my expression neutral.
I couldn’t believe what was happening. This wasn’t what I’d signed up for — but part of me wondered if I should’ve seen it coming.
I met Derek when I was working as a successful analyst. Over our year of dating, he had convinced me I’d love being a homemaker, especially since we both dreamed of having two or three kids in the future.
He assured me his job could support us entirely, that we’d have more than enough.
When I suggested finding remote work, he insisted I’d be happier as a trad wife, that I could rediscover myself, take up new hobbies, and eventually focus on the baby.
I had agreed to give it a try.
But this?
This was next level.
“So? What do you think?” Derek prompted.
I took a long, hard look at him. There was a sparkle in his eyes and his smile was as joyful as a child watching fireworks on July 4th.
He wasn’t being malicious, just impossibly naive.
“It’s… traditional, you say?” I managed.
His face lit up. “Yeah!
This is just like what my mom used to wear.”
