Benched My Husband During the World Cup Finals

During the World Cup finals, I brought soup to my husband at his office as he was working overtime.

When I arrived outside the screening room of his office, I heard his new assistant, Jodie Lenford, asking with a laugh, "Mr. Hayes, don't you always tell us that Mrs. Hayes watches every World Cup match with you? Why did you leave her alone at home tonight?"

My husband, Tristan, was silent for a while before replying, "Every time she watches the match with me, she'll just lecture me about drinking less and going to bed early. It takes the joy out of everything."

Jodie laughed again. "Let me accompany you tonight instead. I'll replace Mrs. Hayes for this duty."

"You're just like her back when she was young and fiery."

Tristan once told me that I would be the only one by his side during every finals match, but I watched as he gently placed the sports jersey I had carefully picked for him years ago over the shoulders of another woman.

Jodie asked, "Won't Mrs. Hayes be mad if she finds out about this?"

Tristan laughed. "She's learned her lesson. She won't make a huge fuss like she did before."

That was when loud cheering erupted from the screen.

I stood in the dark as I suddenly realized that some matches would end with me being benched before the starting whistle was even blown.

I heard another round of applause from the screening room as I placed the thermal bag next to my feet while slowly opening the door. Jodie Lenford's voice could be heard coming through the creak of the door. "Look at how detailed the sewing is on the ankle brace on your sleeve, Mr. Hayes. Your wife must love you a lot to still be keeping such an old item of yours."

Tristan gave a low laugh as his fingers brushed across the ankle brace. "She used to understand soccer and me, but not anymore. She doesn't even bother to watch any soccer game, even if there's an offside."

Someone started saying, "You need to thank Miss Lenford tonight for bringing you back to your youthful days, Mr. Hayes."

Jodie let out a soft cough. "Stop it. I just didn't want Mr. Hayes to feel lonely watching the game alone. It'd be better if Mrs. Hayes was here with you."

Tristan was silent for a second before replying nonchalantly, "She doesn't like staying up through the night. It's better for everyone if she stays home."

Better for everyone?

I stood outside the door with my head lowered, staring at the thermal bag containing the hot soup I had made for him.

Eight years ago, during the World Cup Finals, Tristan suffered from gastritis, but he insisted on accompanying me until 5 AM. I had removed the old ankle brace from my college team and sewn it to the sleeve of his jersey. I told him that someone would always be watching over him every time he