She loves you so much.

She loves you so much. That’s why she bears with you.

You come home at night to find her awake, waiting for you, deluded by sleep. She has made food for you, left it on the table, and waits for you to eat. She loves you; that’s why she bears with you.

You don’t beat her, but you say things that hurt her every day, things that make her cry when you’re not around, when she is alone. She loves you so much. That’s why she bears with you.

You think she doesn’t know about all those women in your phone? She knows them by name. She has read your texts. She has seen the images. It’s hurtful; it breaks her heart. But she bears with you because she loves you so, so much.

It has been ages since you last complimented her, her hair, her makeup, her clothes, her personality, yet she bears it. You no longer tell her, “I love you.” It has been years, but she bears with you. Because she loves you so, so much.

You hurt her every day with your words, your attitude, your thoughts. You don’t appreciate her efforts anymore, and you make sure she understands that. You no longer hide your cruelty from her. You challenge her.

The last time you bought her anything that made her heart blossom was… she doesn’t even remember. A rose? Taking her out? That was many, many years ago, before the money, before the promotion, before all those friends you now have.

But she bears with you because she loves you so, so very much.

She could, if she wanted, have poisoned your food or worse. You think she stays for the money? You think she doesn’t meet others who say things like, “Hey babe, how are you?” How many times has she told them, “I am married, happily married, so please, I don’t like this childishness. Leave me alone.”

She bears with you because she loves you so, so very much.

Yet, she is dying inside every day. But she bears with you.

Because she loves you… so, so very much.