My Boyfriend Humiliated Me for Years, but the Gender Reveal Party Was the Last Straw and He Got What He Deserved — Story of the Day

I thought having a baby would finally change the way he treated me. I planned a gender reveal party, hoping it would bring us closer. But when the day came, one unexpected guest turned it into something else entirely—and forced me to make the hardest decision of my life.

They say that when someone feels miserable, they will look for a way out. But when love was involved, walking away was not that simple.

Love made people ignore so many things, hoping that someday something would change.

I knew this not from someone else’s story, but from my own. I loved my boyfriend Bob — deeply and completely. So much so that I often overlooked all the flaws he carried.

Bob never hit me, never drank, and he did a lot around the house. But he was far from perfect, and I never asked for perfection.

Bob and I had been together for over five years, and I was certain I loved him. I believed we would spend the rest of our lives together.

However, Bob kept postponing any talk of marriage. He always had some excuse, always said it was not the right time.

But then I took a pregnancy test — and saw two lines. I thought, now this was finally the perfect time. There could be no better moment.

I was overjoyed. We were going to have a baby. It felt like a miracle.

I placed the test inside a pretty box, cooked dinner, and waited for Bob to come home.

I wasn't working — Bob insisted on that. He said it was better that way. He believed a woman should stay home and take care of the house.

And I never really argued when the topic came up, even though I loved my job. I had been a music teacher. It was my calling, my passion — but no longer.

Sometimes I would play instruments at home, as long as it did not bother Bob.

But then, at one point, Bob lost his job. While he was looking for a new one, he sold my piano — the piano my grandmother had given me.

He never even asked. But I didn't get angry. We had to live on something, after all. Besides, I still had my guitar, and I could play that.

When Bob finally came home from work that evening, I sat at the dinner table, beaming with excitement.

I had set everything nicely and lit candles. The box with the pregnancy test was on my lap, ready for the surprise.

Bob walked into the kitchen and frowned. “What is all this for?” Bob muttered.

“Sit down,” I said gently, and Bob obeyed. As he sat down beside me, I noticed a strange scent on him. “Why do you smell like women’s perfume?” I asked.

“What are you talking about?” Bob snapped. “You probably sprayed it on yourself and now blame me. You always need to pick a fight.”

I knew he was lying. The scent was on him. And it wasn't the first time he came home like this — with the smell of perfume clinging to his clothes or lipstick stains on his collar. Still, I hoped that the news about the baby would change everything.

I picked up the box and handed it to him. “This is a surprise for you.”

“Hope it’s something for fishing,” Bob replied cheerfully. But when he opened the box, his face darkened. “What is this?” he asked, holding the test in his hand.

“It’s a pregnancy test! We’re having a baby!” I shouted happily.

Bob immediately dropped the test from his hand. “Ugh! You peed on that thing!” he shouted in disgust.

“What does that matter… We’re having a baby!” I repeated. “Are you not happy?”

“Yeah, sure, happy,” Bob mumbled. “I was wondering why you’ve been looking so fat lately.”

That hurt. It was not the reaction I had imagined, not the joy I had hoped for. But at least he had not run away. That counted for something… right?

All my hopes that Bob would stop fooling around were in vain. He kept coming home late, always reeking of women’s perfume.

But people said that a woman became a mother the moment she got pregnant, while a man became a father only after holding the baby in his arms. So I kept believing things would change.

One day, I heard the doorbell ring. I hoped it was Bob — maybe he had come home early, especially since I had an ultrasound appointment that day.

But when I opened the door, I saw Michael, Bob’s brother, standing there. He held large grocery bags in his hands.

“Hey,” Michael greeted me warmly as he stepped inside. “I heard the good news and thought I’d come visit.”

He walked to the kitchen, placing the bags on the counter. “I read that pregnant women need a lot of vitamins, so I brought you healthy food. And some not-so-healthy stuff too, just in case you have any cravings.”

I laughed. “Thank you, but you really did not have to,” I said. “How did you even find out? Bob and I agreed not to tell anyone yet.”

“Oh, he told me,” Michael replied. “He’s been bragging about it. Keeps saying he’s going to get Grandma’s entire inheritance now. He even said he hopes she does not have long left.”

“I don't understand,” I murmured.

“Well, Grandma wrote in her will that everything goes to the first grandchild,” Michael explained. “That would be your baby.”

“I see,” I said quietly.

“How are you doing? Is Bob treating you right? Do you need help?” Michael asked with concern.

“Bob has never hurt me,” I answered. For some reason, Michael looked at me with pity. “But I do have my first ultrasound today, and I'm scared to go alone. Bob—”

“I’ll go with you.” Michael interrupted.

“Really? I cannot ask that of you. You must be busy,” I replied.

“For you, I always have time,” Michael assured me with a kind smile.

We went to the appointment together. It was magical. I saw my baby for the first time, I heard that tiny heartbeat, and it was so emotional I started to cry.

But I was not the only one wiping tears — I noticed Michael quickly brushing his eyes with his sleeve.

It warmed my heart that he had come with me. Michael had always been there, unlike Bob.

Michael was a good person, and I was grateful he treated me like family, even though Bob and I weren't married.

After the appointment, Michael took me out for dinner and then drove me home.

When I showed Bob the ultrasound photos, he barely glanced at them. “Yeah, cool,” Bob muttered. Then he added, “You cannot even see anything in those pictures anyway.”

The months passed, and my belly grew. Michael was incredibly supportive throughout the pregnancy.

He gave me lots of gifts for the baby and constantly checked on my health.

Bob, on the other hand, still seemed clueless that he was going to be a father.

The only thing he ever said about my pregnancy was, “You really need to watch how much you’re eating. You’ve gained a lot of weight.”

When it was time to find out the baby’s gender, I asked the doctor not to tell me.

I wanted to have a special celebration, to invite family and friends and learn the baby’s gender surrounded by loved ones.

But when I told Bob about the idea, I did not get the reaction I had hoped for.

That evening, Michael came over to visit. Bob didn't even try to hide his irritation.

“Are you kidding me? A gender reveal party? Who the hell needs that?!” Bob yelled.

“I do. I want to celebrate,” I replied calmly.

“Celebrate? With what money?! You sit at home all day, don't work, and now you want to waste my money on some nonsense?!” he shouted.

“You’re the one who wanted me to quit my job,” I said quietly.

“Because you’re a woman. Women are not capable of working properly anyway!” Bob kept yelling. Tears welled up in my eyes. I placed my hand protectively over my belly.

“Bob, can I talk to you for a minute?” Michael asked firmly.

“Stay out of this! None of your business!” Bob barked.

“Just for a minute,” Michael repeated, still calm.

They went into the kitchen. I couldn't stop myself — I leaned closer to eavesdrop.

“She’s completely lost her mind! Doing whatever the hell she wants!” Bob shouted.

“She’s carrying your child. You should be grateful,” Michael said.

“I’m not spending money on that crap!” Bob roared.

“I’ll pay for everything. But you better act like a decent human being,” Michael replied.

“I don’t need your damn charity!” Bob snapped.

“I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for her,” Michael stated.

“Oh, I see. You want her for yourself! I can tell by the way you look at her. You’re trying to steal my woman!” Bob accused.

“She’ll leave you on her own if you don't change your behavior,” Michael said and stepped out of the kitchen.

I rushed back to the living room before they returned. Then Michael walked in, followed by Bob.

“Fine. You can have your stupid gender party,” Bob grumbled.

“Good night,” Michael said and walked to the front door.

I followed him and caught up just as he stepped outside. “I overheard your conversation. Thank you… for everything,” I said softly.

“You know he’s not worth it. You know he’s cheating on you, and yet you stay. I don't get it,” Michael said gently.

“Because I love him,” I answered.

“Do you? Or are you just afraid to leave?” Michael asked.

“I have nowhere to go,” I admitted.

“Yes, you do. You know exactly why I’m doing all of this. You have somewhere to go, Alison. Even if you never came to me, I would still do everything in my power to help you,” Michael said. Then, without giving me a chance to reply, he turned and walked to his car.

All the days leading up to the gender reveal party, I kept thinking about Michael’s words — that Bob didn't deserve me.

But I still hoped he would change. I still hoped the baby would change him. Yet with each passing day, that hope felt more and more fragile.

The day of the gender reveal arrived. Michael offered to host the party in his backyard because Bob refused to let me organize anything at our place.

My family came, Bob’s family came, a few of our friends too. Michael tried to smile at me, but I could see he was distant. Something weighed on his heart.

When it came time to reveal the baby’s gender, Bob and I stepped into the center, about to cut the cake.

But just as we reached for the knife, a woman I had never seen before shoved me aside and cut the cake with Bob — as if I were invisible.

I saw the filling. Pink. We were having a girl.

My heart swelled with joy, but confusion quickly followed. Who was that woman? And why did Bob look so calm?

“What is going on?!” I shouted.

“This is our surrogate, right, baby?” the woman cooed, turning to Bob.

“Yes, Stacey, that’s her,” Bob answered.

“What the hell?! What surrogate?! This is my baby!” I screamed. I felt Michael step in behind me.

“Stop it, Alison,” Bob said coldly. “You didn't really think I was going to raise this baby with you, did you? Look at yourself. You have let yourself go. You have gained weight. You are not attractive anymore. And after giving birth, you will look even worse. Not like Stacey. Stacey is beautiful. And she won’t actually give birth. We are just taking the baby.”

“You cannot just take my child!” I cried out as tears streamed down my face.

“Oh, I can. You have no job, no home. Who’s going to let you raise a child when you cannot even take care of yourself? You’re just our surrogate,” Bob sneered. “I’ll get the baby, and then the inheritance from Grandma.” I turned just in time to see Bob’s grandmother frown in outrage.

“Alison,” Michael said behind me. I looked at him. “Will you marry me? I’m ready to raise this baby as my own.”

My mouth fell open. In that moment, everything crashed over me — every memory of Michael being there when Bob wasn't.

All those times he helped me, all the small kindnesses, the support, the quiet strength. I realized I had chosen the wrong brother all along.

“Yes,” I whispered, then kissed Michael — surprising him, though only for a second.

“Are you both kidding me?!” Bob screamed. “That’s my baby! I still get the inheritance!”

“The real father is the one who raises and loves the child,” Bob’s grandmother said firmly. “So do not count on anything.”

“You all planned this! Just to take my money!” Bob roared.

“Unlike you, I love Alison. I don't care about any inheritance,” Michael responded. “Now get out, before I throw you out myself.”

“You’ll regret this!” Bob shouted. He grabbed Stacey’s hand, and they stormed off.

I pressed myself against Michael and wrapped my arms tightly around him.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Always,” Michael replied.

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