After My Rebirth, I Discovered My Wife's Shocking Secrets

"Didn't you promise to spend Christmas at our house this year? How can a grown man like you go back on his word?" My wife's constant nagging pierced through my skull, a relentless migraine pounding at my temples.

I thought, "Was I not dead? Could this be a haunting echo of life after death?"

With a weary blink, I found myself staring into the furious visage of my wife, Cathy Bruce, whose face was contorted with the ferocity of her reprimand. Beside her, our son, Paul Manson, chimed in sporadically, his words adding fuel to the fire.

Was I reborn?

There wasn't time to ponder the mystery of my resurrection.

I vowed, "This time, I won't stand idly by as my parents meet their tragic end again."

"Why the quarrel? We agreed, long before we married, that we would rotate the holidays, spending each Christmas as a united family." My voice, tinged with irritation, cut through the din.

Cathy and I, both only children, had pledged before our wedding that we would alternate our Christmas celebrations, either hosting both sets of parents or visiting them in turn. Yet, year after year, Cathy found reasons to whisk our son and me back to her family, leaving my parents bereft for eight long years. Paul was now six, but I hadn't celebrated a single Christmas with my own parents since our marriage.

"Fine. Benjamin Manson, you dare raise your voice at me, do you?" Cathy's eyes widened in disbelief. Clearly, she hadn't expected resistance from me, or perhaps in her mind, I was too cowed to ever defy her.

"Dad, how could you? I love mom's parents, but I despise yours." Paul's words struck like a dagger.

Seeing his callousness, I found my anger surged.

Cathy had always harbored a deepseated disdain for my parents despite their former careers as teachers. She deemed them inferior to her own parents, who were retired civil servants. Since the birth of our son, Paul, Cathy had forbidden my parents from so much as laying eyes on their grandson. Fearful of upsetting her, my parents swallowed their grievances, showering her and Paul with gifts instead.

Worse still, in my previous life, my parents died shielding Paul, yet here he was, brazenly declaring his hatred for them.

"Paul, speak ill of your elders again, and you'll face the consequences!" I raised my hand, feigning a strike, though, in all his years, I had never laid a finger on him.

Even as he lamented the bad luck at my parents' funeral in my past life, I knew I had failed as a father.

"Benjamin, why are you berating the child? Are you trying to cause a scene?" Cathy shielded Paul fiercely, as if I, Paul's own father, posed a mortal threat.

I thought, "This mother and son duo were truly beyond reason."

I took a deep breath to handle Cathy with care. I couldn't afford to meet the same fate as my previous life.

"Honey, I need a moment in the bathroom. Please, tend to our son and wait for me." I made my way to the bathroom, a pretext to gather my thoughts. There, I retrieved my phone, switched on the video recorder, and tucked it discreetly into my shirt pocket.

"Cathy, let's discuss this rationally." I emerged, guiding Cathy to the sofa.

"Rationally?" Cathy scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"I was wrong to raise my voice earlier. I apologize. But, dear, before we married, we agreed to share the holidays. For eight years, we've honored your family. It's time my parents saw you and our son. They miss you so much." I softened my tone, striving for calm.

"Your parents miss me? Bullshit! Were it not for our son, I'd disown those two old fogeys." Cathy's confidence in my subservience emboldened her to speak ill of my parents without restraint.

"Cathy, that's going too far. You resented my parents for not attending to you during your postpartum period, yet they continued to shower you and our son with gifts and money. They were educators, yet you never hesitated to belittle them." I kept my cool, reasoning with her.

Perhaps having tasted death, I now found that as long as one was alive, the sting of insults paled in comparison to the gift of life.

"I've taken you into account. Your parents, two mere village teachers, dare to call themselves a 'soul engineers'? Aren't you afraid of the ridicule that follows?" Cathy cackled, her laughter shrill and mocking, and Paul beside her echoed her disdainful chuckle.

Though my heart seethed with rage, I forced it down. I yearned for Cathy to know the pain of being the target of online vitriol.

"Alright, let's visit your family this year, but next year, we'll return to mine, agreed?" I extended a hand to her, but she brushed me off with a sneer.

"We'll discuss it next year."

With that, Cathy whisked Paul to the door. As he left, he stuck his tongue out at me.

For the first time, my own son filled me with such revulsion.

We loaded the gifts for her parents into the car and set off.

Initially, I thought that if Cathy didn't push me to my limits, I might let her have her way.

But there were those who, unless they inflict harm, felt their day was incomplete.

As soon as I ignited the engine, Cathy began her petty tirade.

"People, the more they lack, the more they flaunt it." Cathy glanced at me as she scrolled through her phone.

I knew she aimed her barbs at me, but I remained silent, mindful that my phone was capturing every word.

I set the navigation, securing the phone on the dashboard so that its selfie camera was perfectly angled to capture the interior of the car.

Thankfully, the phone's navigation and camera functions were compatible; otherwise, I would have had to devise another plan.

"I'm not implying anything, Benjamin, but why do you radiate such a destitute aura? I advised you to save up for a MercedesBenz, yet you insisted it was merely a mode of transport. You settled for a dilapidated Ford Fiesta, and I'm too ashamed to claim it as mine when I visit my family. It's utterly humiliating."

"That's right, Dad. It's lame," Paul mocked from the backseat.

I thought to myself, "If you found it so disgraceful, then earn the money yourself and buy the car you desire."

Cathy had been a homemaker since our wedding. I never begrudged her decision to work or not; after all, my earnings were sufficient to support our family, and it was a relief for her to have the leisure to rest.

After Paul's birth, I encouraged her even more to stay at home. Childbirth took a profound toll on women, and I didn't want her to endure further strain, so I hired a nanny, ensuring she needed only to care for herself.

Yet, she still found fault, believing I hadn't provided her with a luxury car or a grand mansion.

Consequently, Paul had picked up her habit of comparison.

"Paul, if you think my car isn't up to par, then earn your own money and purchase one instead of comparing yourself to others."

Paul pouted, on the verge of tears.

"Benjamin, are you indirectly accusing me? I may not work, but didn't you promise to support me? You earn a pittance each month, yet you dare to berate your own son." Cathy slammed her phone down, her finger nearly jabbing my nose as she berated me.

"Sweetie, I didn't intend to imply anything about you. You know I make at least 20,000 dollars a month, plus performance bonuses, totaling over 40,000 dollars, all of which I hand over to you. Please, don't scold me." I knew that by lowering my stance, Cathy's retribution would only grow more severe.

"You seem proud to earn 40,000 dollars, right? My best friend's husband earns millions of dollars annually. How can you be so proud?"

"Tiffany's husband? But she's the mistress, and her actions drove the original wife to her grave. Her daughter despises her. She can't be as content as you."

"No money, no joy."

Cathy resumed her phone scrolling, and the car fell into an uncharacteristic silence.

I met Cathy in college, our love spanning five years before culminating in an eightyear marriage. I wouldn't profess the depth of my affection over these ten years, but I held her as precious as life itself.

Since our wedding day, she had never lifted a finger around the house. From wiping down tables to sweeping floors, she had remained aloof. She didn't even know where the cleaning cloths were stashed.

No matter the trials I faced at work, I always greeted Cathy with a smile upon returning home. I absorbed all her moods, showering her with every romantic whim any girl could desire. Even when it came to childbirth, I would diligently research at the hospital after work, ensuring she suffered no undue pain.

So, in my past life, even when she orchestrated online slander against me, I harbored no hatred until my parents' tragic demise.

On Christmas Eve, a dispute erupted over where to celebrate the holiday. On the way, she nagged incessantly, just as she did now, and Paul hurled insults at my parents. In a burst of fury, I abandoned them at a highway rest stop.

Yet, I later doubled back at the next exit to retrieve them.

Subsequently, her parents joined her in a furious online assault. Worried I might act rashly, my parents urged me to take a break and return home for a while.

Later, Cathy claimed Paul missed me and brought Paul to my house. My parents took Paul out to play, giving us space to reconcile and urging me to apologize and console her.

But I never anticipated that my parents' car would be trailed by a vengeful soul who followed them solely because of the provocative video Cathy had posted.

My parents perished in their valiant attempt to shield Paul.

Afterward, Paul still bemoaned bad luck at the funeral, and Cathy maintained a sullen demeanor, feeling clearly embarrassed.

From that moment, I loathed them both.

Yet, I still rationalized that her words were merely her honest feelings, not indicative of her character.

If I hadn't uncovered her secretive purchase of negative comments and her hiring of cyber bullies, I might have forever believed in her innocence.

When I stood on the rooftop, I felt an unprecedented lightness.

Soon, I would reunite with my parents, and I wouldn't have to face Cathy or endlessly justify my innocence.

As I fell from the building, I glimpsed Cathy. Her face was serene as if our lives were utterly disconnected.

As I plunged, it seemed I saw her exhale in relief.

Cathy continued her tirade, but I focused intently. Distraction on the highway could be lethal, and I had no desire to perish alongside her.

"Benjamin, did you hear me speaking to you?" Seeing my lack of response, Cathy grew irritated.

"I heard you, dear. I was merely concentrating on driving."

"Forget it. With your lousy skills and this decrepit car, does it matter if you focus or not? In my view, you should reside in the countryside with your parents. Country folk will always be country folk."

"But didn't you still marry me, a country boy?"

"I had no choice." Cathy snapped angrily.

Her words cut sharply in the confined space.

"What do you mean, 'no choice'?" I sensed something amiss.

Cathy and I had been together since college. Despite her constant troubles, we remained blissful. After graduation, we both secured jobs. I saved diligently and proposed, to which she consented. There was no coercion.

Cathy fell silent for a while, and we approached the service area where I had left them in my previous life.

That place marked the pivotal shift in my fate.

"Honey, would you like to take a break? The service area is just ahead," I inquired cautiously.

"You're such a failure. Complaining of fatigue after such a short drive. No wonder you can't earn a penny."

"I'm merely concerned about your and our son's comfort."

"Fine, let's stop for a breather." Cathy seemed somewhat reluctant. After all, she yearned to reach her parents' home swiftly and feared I might waver in my decision.

Upon reaching the service area, I stepped out to fetch food for Paul and also procured an array of beverages for Cathy, allowing her to select her preference.

"Benjamin, are you out of your mind? Buying so many drinks. What if I need to use the restroom on the journey?" Cathy pointed and berated me, drawing amused glances from onlookers.

"My oversight. I apologize, dear."

"You're from a destitute background, devoid of intellect, just like your worthless parents!"

"Cathy, have you vented enough? It's one thing if you lash out at me, but why persist in insulting my parents? What do you seek?"

The stark contrast between my deference on the way and my sudden outburst left Cathy momentarily stunned.

"Why are you so harsh to my mother? Your parents are good for nothing!" Paul approached and shoved me.

"Paul, I've made it clear that you can no longer speak ill of your elders!" I glared at Paul, my anger palpable.

The truth was, I was genuinely enraged.

"Benjamin, are you insane?"

"You're insane, too!"

Cathy slapped me.

I climbed back into the car and locked the doors, having no intention of waiting for them.

Cathy called out to me several times, but I remained unresponsive. It wasn't until I had passed two highway junctions that I turned around to retrieve them.

"I'm sorry, dear. I shouldn't have abandoned you. Are you cold?" I removed my coat and draped it over Cathy.

"Well, what disputes between a couple can't resolve? It's inconsiderate to leave someone behind during the festive season. Don't repeat this next time."

The policeman lectured me and turned to Cathy. "Can't you temper your outbursts? It's Christmas. Why not discuss matters amicably?"

It was only after Cathy reentered the car that I learned she had called the police. Upon their arrival, the police questioned those nearby and almost pieced together the entire story. Just as they were about to contact me, they spotted me turning around from the surveillance camera.

"I'm sorry."

"Just drive." Cathy was likely wary that I might abandon her and Paul again, so she was unusually subdued for the remainder of the journey.

By the time we reached Cathy's parents' house, dusk had fallen.

"Why are you so late?" Cathy's mother, Judy Bruce, took the items from my hands with displeasure.

"Ask him, and you'll find out." Cathy retorted sarcastically as she changed her shoes.

"It's alright. We encountered a minor issue on the way."

Cathy shot me a glare and retreated to the bedroom.

Judy followed her in.

Half an hour later, Cathy emerged with teary eyes, trailed by Judy, whose face was a mask of anger.

"Benjamin, we entrusted Cathy to you, seeing how well you treated her. How could you commit such an act?" Judy served water to Cathy and Paul, launching into a lecture before even allowing us to dine.

"What's wrong?" Jack Bruce, Cathy's father, handed Cathy a peeled apple. Though unaware of the specifics, he cast a hostile gaze at me.

Cathy recounted the events on the road, omitting the insults she had hurled at my parents.

"Benjamin, you are going too far!" Jack slammed the cup heavily onto the table.

"I concede my actions were wrong, but Cathy has relentlessly insulted my parents throughout the journey. I confess that I am somewhat incensed."

"But you can't simply abandon her and the child at the service area. What if something befalls them? Moreover, what harm is there in her uttering a few words? Your parents won't wither away from it." Jack's anger escalated with each word, his intent clear to rise and strike me.

No wonder Cathy had turned out this way; her parents were equally disdainful.

I looked down as my fury was simmering.

"Are you displeased after I've spoken my piece? We are your elders; what fault is there in offering a few words?" Upon glimpsing my expression, Judy joined in the scolding.

I thought, "A clan of scoundrels."

"I apologize. Cathy, it won't happen again." I lifted my head, meeting their gaze with eyes reddened by rage.

They likely presumed I had acknowledged my error so much that I was on the verge of weeping in remorse, so they regarded me with contempt before arranging for our Christmas Eve feast.

This would be my final meal with them, so I consumed it as if nothing untoward had transpired.

After the feast, I shut off the video recording; I had secured all I needed.

While Jack and I watched television, Judy mysteriously ushered Cathy into the bedroom.

It was a given; Judy was discreetly handing Cathy more money once again.

Jack proceeded to the bathroom, and Paul was engrossed in his cell phone. For some reason, I trailed Cathy and Judy there.

"Cathy, do you wish to teach that lad a lesson?"

As I approached the door, I caught Judy's voice.

The old house boasted average soundproofing, so I pressed my ear against the door and activated the recording.

"Mom, what do you mean?" Cathy's voice betrayed confusion.

"He dared to desert you and Paul this time; next, he might dare to cheat on you. You must take action to frighten him."

I was confused.

I could not figure out the logic between my abandoning Cathy and betrayal.

"I've already reprimanded him. Besides, he wouldn't dare. Otherwise, how could he have remained oblivious until now..."

I thought, "Oblivious of what?"