I could feel my cheeks burning, and my parents were visibly uncomfortable. My dad looked at Henry with disapproval, asking, “Henry, you invited us for Nora’s birthday—are you really going to let her pay?”
Henry laughed it off, but the atmosphere felt off. “Oh, come on, it’s just a birthday meal. Nora’s got that great pediatrician salary; she can handle it.”
I was speechless, trying to process what was happening. I felt embarrassed and frustrated. After I paid, I confronted Henry about it. “Why did you put me in that situation?” I asked.
His response was casual, “I don’t understand why this is such a big deal. We share finances, so what’s the difference?”
But for me, it wasn’t about money—it was about respect and the value of special moments. I told him, “It’s about feeling appreciated, especially on a night that’s supposed to be about celebrating me.”
Henry didn’t seem to understand my feelings, brushing it off as no big deal. “You’re overreacting,” he said.
That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had happened. Sometimes, it’s the small things that reveal the most about a relationship, and I’m now left wondering what I should do next. If you have any advice, I’d really appreciate it.