My husband Bobby did the unthinkable on my birthday: he gambled away my grandmother’s cherished gold watch. But as karma would have it, his reckless bet set off a chain of events that neither of us could have predicted…
I’m Fia, and for the most part, I love my life. I have a small antique shop downtown that I run with all the passion and care my grandmother instilled in me. My grandmother was the one who taught me everything about the beauty of old things, and I inherited her love for history, stories, and precious keepsakes.
A grandmother kissing her granddaughter on the forehead | Source: Unsplash
One such keepsake was her gold watch, a stunning piece she wore every day until the day she passed.
My husband, Bobby, is a different story. We’ve been married for five years, and while he has a heart of gold, his vices sometimes overshadow his good qualities. We don’t have any kids, which is probably for the best given the current state of our lives.
Bobby loves to drink and play poker with his friends, especially his best friend, Elliot. It’s a habit I’ve grown to despise, but I try to pick my battles.
A man playing poker | Source: Pexels
“Fia, come on, it’s just a game. We’re having fun,” Bobby would often say, brushing off my concerns.
“I know, Bobby, but it worries me. You’re always losing money, and it’s not just about the money,” I’d reply, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “I miss spending time with you.”
Tonight was supposed to be different. It was my birthday, and Bobby had promised to make it special. We had a few friends over, including Elliot and his wife, Carol. The evening was lovely: good food, laughter, and genuine happiness. But things can change in a heartbeat…
A woman holding a cake and wearing a party hat | Source: Pexels
After dinner, Carol and I retreated to the kitchen to clean up a bit. “So, how’s everything with you and Bobby?” Carol asked, drying a plate.
“It’s okay, I guess,” I said, scrubbing a stubborn stain off a pan. “He’s been better lately, but his poker nights still get to me.”
Carol nodded sympathetically. “I get it. Elliot’s the same way. But at least tonight, they’re just having fun, right?”
I smiled, hoping she was right. “Yeah, maybe I worry too much.”
Women washing dishes in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
We spent about fifteen minutes in the kitchen, chatting and cleaning. When we returned, the guys were still around the poker table, but the atmosphere had shifted slightly. There was an edge to Bobby’s smile that made me uneasy, but I brushed it off, wanting to enjoy the rest of the night.
As the guests left and Bobby and I headed to bed, I noticed he seemed unusually quiet. “Bobby, is something wrong?” I asked, slipping into my pajamas.
He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “Fia, I… I did something really stupid tonight.”
A man looks down while standing in his living room | Source: Midjourney
My heart sank. “What do you mean?”
He took a deep breath, avoiding my eyes. “While you were in the kitchen, I… I bet your grandmother’s watch in a game with Elliot. And I lost.”
I felt like the floor had dropped out from under me. “You what?!” My voice came out louder than I intended, filled with shock and anger.
“I’m so sorry, Fia. I didn’t think I’d lose. It was supposed to be just a bit of fun,” he said, looking genuinely distressed.
Two men laughing at home after a game of poker | Source: Midjourney
“Fun?” I echoed, tears welling up in my eyes. “That watch is irreplaceable! It’s the only thing I have left of her.”
“I understand that you’re hurt, but there’s no need to be so melodramatic. It was just a watch,” replied Bobby, sounding anything but sorry.
I felt a surge of anger and disbelief. That watch had been passed down to me by my grandmother, a cherished family heirloom. Without a word, I rushed to the drawer where I kept it. To my dismay, it was empty.
An empty drawer in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney
“How could you, Bobby?” I demanded, my voice shaking. “That watch meant everything to me!”
“I’m sorry, Fia. I didn’t think I’d lose,” he stammered. “But I did, and I can’t get it back.”
“What do you mean you can’t get it back? Go to Elliot’s place right now and bring back my watch!” I insisted, tears streaming down my face.
An angry woman on the verge of tears | Source: Midjourney
“I can’t, Fia. I just can’t.”
His refusal hit me like a punch to the gut. I couldn’t believe the man I loved would gamble away something so precious to me and then refuse to fix his mistake. The night ended with us on opposite sides of the bed, a chasm of hurt and betrayal between us.
The morning after that disastrous party, I woke up with a steely determination. I wasn’t going to let Bobby get away with this. I needed to get my grandmother’s watch back. So, after a quick breakfast, I headed straight to Elliot’s place.
A woman looking anxious | Source: Midjourney
When he opened the door, he looked genuinely surprised to see me.
“Fia, hey! What’s up?” Elliot greeted, though his eyes darted around nervously.
“We need to talk,” I said, stepping past him into the living room. “It’s about the watch.”
Elliot’s face fell. “Oh man, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know it was your watch. Bobby didn’t say anything.”
I crossed my arms, trying to stay calm. “Elliot, that watch means the world to me. It was my grandmother’s. Can I have it back, please?”
A closeup shot of a gold watch | Source: Flickr
He nodded quickly, disappearing into another room. Moments later, he returned with the watch. “Here, Fia. I’m really sorry. If I had known…”
“It’s okay,” I said, taking the watch from him and feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “Just… let’s keep this between us, alright?”
Elliot agreed, and I left his house feeling a little better. But I still had to deal with Bobby. As I walked back home, my mind raced with thoughts of how to teach him a lesson.
I was deep in thought when my phone rang. It was Bobby, and he sounded panicked.
A woman checking her phone | Source: Midjourney
“Babe! I’m in trouble! Some guy just showed up at the office…”
“Calm down, Bobby. What happened?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“There’s this new guy, Dylan. He’s gunning for my job. Mr. Lockwood loves him and made a bet that if Dylan has a great trial day today, I’ll be fired!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you see what the stakes are like now, Bobby? Do you see what betting can lead to?”
A woman smiles while talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“I get it, Fia, I do. But there’s more. Two cases with Mr. Lockwood’s documents and personal belongings were stolen from my car this morning. If they don’t turn up, I’m definitely getting fired.”
I sighed. “Bobby, this is serious. You need to focus and figure this out.”
“I know, I know. I’ll do my best,” he said, sounding defeated.
The day dragged on as I waited at home, my mind swirling with worry and anger. By the time evening rolled around, I was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster.
An exhausted woman resting on the sofa | Source: Pexels
Just as I was starting to doze off on the couch, I heard the front door open.
Bobby walked in, looking like he had aged ten years in a single day. “Fia, I got fired.”
I sat up, my heart sinking. “What happened?”
“Dylan had an amazing day. Mr. Lockwood was so impressed that he didn’t even hesitate. And those stolen cases sealed my fate.”
I stood up and walked over to him. “Bobby, I’m sorry. But you have to understand, this is what happens when you gamble with things that matter.”
A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
He nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. “I know. I’ve been such an idiot. I’m so sorry, Fia.”
I hugged him, feeling his body shake with sobs. “We’ll get through this. But you need to change, Bobby. No more bets. No more gambling.”
“I promise,” he whispered. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.”
The days that followed were tough. Bobby was devastated, and our financial situation took a hit without his income. But I could see he was trying to change. He attended meetings, looked for jobs, and even took up some household chores.
A closeup shot of a man cleaning the floor with a vacuum cleaner | Source: Pexels
One evening, as we sat together on the couch, he took my hand. “Fia, I’ve been thinking a lot. This whole mess has made me realize how much I’ve taken you for granted. I want to make things right, not just for me, but for us.”
I squeezed his hand. “I believe you, Bobby. And I’m here for you, as long as you’re committed to changing.”
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
Weeks passed, and Bobby landed a new job. It wasn’t as prestigious as his last one, but it was a fresh start. More importantly, he stuck to his promise. No more gambling, no more reckless behavior.
One night, after dinner, he pulled me close. “Thank you for standing by me, Fia. I know I messed up, but you’ve been amazing through it all.”
I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder. “We all make mistakes, Bobby. What matters is that you’re trying to fix them.”
A loving couple | Source: Midjourney
Life wasn’t perfect, but it was better. We learned to communicate more and to support each other in ways we hadn’t before. And as time went on, the memory of that awful night became a reminder of how far we had come.
In the end, karma did come back to bite Bobby, but it also gave him a chance to grow. And together, we faced the challenges, finding strength in our love and commitment to each other.
A woman lovingly looks at her husband kissing her on the cheek | Source: Midjourney
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