Chapter 6 – Broken Sacrifices

Daisy had carried humiliation for many years. She thought maybe her patience would heal the wounds. She thought her sacrifices would one day open George’s eyes. But those sacrifices only broke her more.

She gave up her hobbies. She loved reading when she was young. Books were her friends. But George said, “Stop wasting time. Do something useful.” Daisy closed the book and never opened it again. She whispered to herself, “Maybe if I give up what I love, he will love me more.”

She gave up her friends. Once her neighbor invited her for tea. Daisy was happy. She wanted to go. But George said, “No. You don’t need to sit and gossip. Stay home.” Daisy looked down and nodded. She whispered in her heart, “If I stop meeting others, maybe he will feel closer to me.” But nothing changed. He still stayed cold.

She gave up her small wishes. She wanted to buy a scarf once. She loved the soft fabric. She told George, “I like this scarf.” George said sharply, “Don’t waste money on silly things.” Daisy smiled faintly and put it back. She thought, “If I give up small joys, maybe he will be happy with me.” But he never was.

The children grew up and left home. Daisy gave her whole life to them. She cooked for them, cared for them, stayed awake at night when they were sick. She thought, “At least George will see my worth as a mother.” But George never praised her. He never said, “You raised them well.” He only said, “You did what you had to do.” Daisy’s heart sank. She thought, “Even my motherhood is nothing to him.”

Anna once said, “Mom, you look tired. Please take care of yourself.” Daisy smiled and said, “I’m fine, dear.” Inside she was breaking. Michael once asked, “Mom, why don’t you travel? You need rest.” Daisy laughed softly and said, “Maybe one day.” She thought, “How can I tell them I gave up my dreams long ago?”

Sacrifice became her daily life. She sacrificed her voice. When George shouted, she stayed quiet. She sacrificed her feelings. When he hurt her, she forgave. She sacrificed her health. She worked even when she was weak. She sacrificed her joy. She stopped singing, she stopped laughing.

One evening Daisy sat quietly while George watched television. She said softly, “George, I always try to make you happy. But I feel like nothing I do is enough.” George did not look at her. He only said, “Then try harder.” Daisy’s heart cracked. She whispered to herself, “I gave him everything. What more is left in me to give?”

Her sacrifices were never seen. Instead, George acted as if it was his right to take. He said once, “You don’t work outside. You only live on my earnings. Don’t expect anything more.” Daisy’s eyes filled with tears. She thought, “I gave you my whole life. And still you count money as if that is the only thing that matters.”

The pain of sacrifice became heavy. Daisy thought, “I gave up my friends, my dreams, my voice, my joy. And still he is never happy. Maybe he never will be. Maybe my sacrifice is only feeding his pride.”

One night she sat alone in her room. She whispered, “I gave him my youth. I gave him my time. I gave him my love. I gave him my children. I gave him my health. What did I get in return? Only insults. Only silence. Only pain.” Her tears fell without end.

These broken sacrifices taught her a truth. Sacrifice without love is slavery. Sacrifice without respect is empty. She thought, “A wife should not lose herself just to keep a marriage alive. I have already lost too much.”

Her heart was getting stronger in silence. She knew she could not go on like this forever. She knew the day was coming when she would stop giving and start choosing herself.