Oneshot: My Beloved Wife Has Been Treated Poorly

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Translator: Soafp

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I'm Kenji Shishido, 29 years old.

For the first time in my life, I met a woman I truly love, and now I'm married.

I'm at the peak of happiness—but I wonder how she feels.

Akari Suda, 28 years old, works at the same company as I do.

I think it was love at first sight. She had undyed black hair tied into a single bundle, her bangs slightly hanging to the side. Her straight posture gave her a dignified presence, and the way she listened intently, gazing straight at me with a serious expression, left a strong impression.

All we exchanged were introductions and a few obligatory work-related words, yet I thought, “Ah… I like her.”

The way she smiled modestly, like a small flower, was beautiful. Her gentle tone and calm presence made her feel so comforting.

From then on, I kept watching her. I spoke to her whenever I had the chance, greeted her, invited her out for drinks if we left work at the same time, then asked her out for meals. We gradually grew closer and eventually started dating.

After two years of dating, I proposed. She accepted. We held a ceremony and registered our marriage.

My family warmly welcomed Akari, but we've had no contact with hers.

Akari had long been estranged from her family. She told me she was treated poorly because of a severe favoritism toward her younger sister.

Apparently, all the money and attention went to her sister, who was born later. Akari, as the older sibling, was given only the bare minimum. She said she stopped receiving birthday and Christmas presents once she was old enough to be aware of it.

Her parents paid for her to attend high school, but when it came to college, they said they wouldn't pay. So she had no choice but to go straight into the workforce. Even after she started working, they kept finding reasons to take money from her to support her sister. That's why she left home and distanced herself from them.

When she called her family to inform them of our marriage and to say she'd like me to meet them, her parents flatly rejected the idea. I saw it all, and I was furious—because I saw the look of hurt on her face.

They dismissed the idea of even a simple greeting. They rejected their own daughter.

I wanted to speak up, to say something—but all I could do was hold her tightly as she apologized with a tearful, sorrowful look.

From now on, my family and I will be Akari's family. She doesn't need people who would hurt her like that—not as family. We don't need them either. So from here on out, they're irrelevant.

That's what I believed… until—

One day.

We were eating lunch together at work when a call came in on Akari's phone. It was from her younger sister.

“My sister…”

“You don't have to answer.”

“It might be something important…”

I was afraid she'd be hurt again, so I told her not to answer. Akari looked sad but still answered, as if expecting something bad.

“Hello? It's been a while, Rika. What's up?”

To her estranged sister, Akari still responded gently.

“What? You're getting married? Congratulations.”

Her sister was getting married, apparently. So that was what the call was for? I was momentarily relieved that at least she'd reached out.

But then—

“Eh…?”

Akari looked like she had lost the ability to speak.

I knew something was wrong. She looked pale and shocked. I put my hand on her shoulder and gently rubbed it, and she placed her trembling hand on mine. I gripped it tightly.

“…Okay,” she said quietly, and then ended the call.

“What did she say?”

I gently brushed her hair back and tucked it behind her ear as I asked.

“Rika… my sister… she's getting married…”

“And?”

I urged her gently, sensing there was more.

“…She said… she's not going to tell her fiancé about me…”

“What?”

“She said… having a sister who only graduated high school is embarrassing… so she's going to hide it…”

“…What?”

It felt like a blood vessel had snapped in my head.

Embarrassed because she only graduated high school? You people are the ones who refused to pay for college and leeched off her earnings!

Now you want to erase her existence just because she's “only” a high school grad!?

“She told me… not to show up…”

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her voice trembled. It was unbearable to see her like that, so I held her close.

That she'd go out of her way to say something like that—to deliberately hurt Akari—it made me feel murderous rage. Truly. It boiled inside me.

“Forget that kind of family. You have me—and my family. We're your family now. We'll treasure you.”

“…Yeah.”

“I'll love you with everything I have. Always.”

“Ugh… I know that already, Kenji! We're at work!”

Blushing furiously, Akari squirmed in my arms, not wanting other coworkers to see. She might've fainted from embarrassment if she realized people were watching—but I didn't let go until the moment passed.

…Now then.

I'll keep loving Akari with all my heart. That won't change.

But I won't forgive those who hurt my wife.

Erase her existence? Ha! Like hell I'll comply. After all they've done to mistreat her—now they want to bury her existence at their convenience? I'll make them regret it.

First, I hired a private investigator to look into Akari's family. Then I found out the name of her sister's fiancé.

And when I saw the name—I laughed.

It's a small world, after all.

I immediately contacted him and invited him to dinner.

“Shishido-san, thank you for inviting me today.”

“No need to thank me. I just heard through the grapevine that you're getting married. I wanted to celebrate.”

“That's very kind of you. The thought alone means a lot.”

A good-natured young man—that's Akari's sister's fiancé.

He's the heir to a company we do business with. I've worked with him professionally.

“So? What kind of woman is Kano-san, your fiancée?”

I asked with a smile, without revealing that she's my wife's sister.

“She's adorable, charming, and honestly too good for me.”

Cute, huh? Just a fake persona. That's how I see her.

“Well, if she's that lovely, I bet her parents are nice too.”

I said, not meaning a word of it.

“Yes, they're wonderful people.”

Unlike me, he's already met them. I kept smiling as I listened, though inwardly I felt cold. Of course they welcomed him with open arms—he's their golden ticket.

“What about your wife, Shishido-san? What kind of person is she?”

“My wife? She's quiet and beautiful, like a delicate flower… but she didn't have the best upbringing. Her parents played favorites and treated her coldly. I think that's why she's so reserved. It's heartbreaking.”

“That's… really sad to hear.”

He sounded genuinely sympathetic. And I didn't forget to plant the seed.

“They told her they wouldn't pay for college, so she had no choice but to work. Then they took her salary for her younger sister's sake. She said she never even got birthday or Christmas presents growing up. Can you believe it?”

“I have a younger sister too. If my parents did that to me, I don't think I'd be able to trust them again.”

“Exactly. But my wife is kind. She got a call from her sister the other day and answered it with a soft voice.”

“Oh? So they're close?”

“No, not at all.”

I shook my head. You'd think they were on good terms, but they're not.

“That call was to inform her about her sister's wedding.”

“I see…”

He tilted his head, wondering why they'd be on bad terms then.

“And her sister told her—don't show up to the wedding.”

“What!?”

“She said… she's embarrassed that her sister is just a high school graduate. So she wants to keep her hidden.”

“What the hell… that's awful…”

As I spoke, I felt a wave of relief. Judging by his pale expression, this man is a decent human being.

“Of course, my wife was hurt. I can't forgive them… but those people are no longer her family. I am. I'll be the one to love her with all I have.”

“That's for the best. With you by her side, and a new family to call her own, I'm sure your wife feels truly happy.”

“Yeah. I'll make her happy—no matter what.”

Making her happy is the foundation of everything. But I won't forget the revenge I owe.

The family that hurt my beloved Akari—they won't get to live happily in their new “family.” I won't let her sister marry into happiness after what they've done.

“Hiding your own family is a foolish thing to do. It only takes a little digging for the truth to come out.”

“Well, if no one tells you, you'd never know… Honestly, it's kind of scary. I feel bad for whoever's marrying someone like that.”

That “whoever” is you, though.

“Yeah. I mean, I've got Akari, so it's fine. But if I were in your position, I'd call off the engagement immediately.”

“Same here. Given my position, I couldn't be related to people who hide their family.”

Hearing that reassured me. I held back my smile and simply nodded.

“Sorry for dumping all this on you. I ruined your celebratory dinner, didn't I?”

“No, not at all.”

He laughed, but the seed had been planted. Now, I just had to wait for it to sprout.

I forced myself to laugh along, but I doubt my eyes were smiling.

Not that he noticed.

We finished our meal and went our separate ways.

I returned to the high-rise apartment with solid security—my home, where my beloved wife was waiting.

“I'm home, Akari.”

“Welcome back, Kenji.”

As soon as I opened the door, she came to greet me. I pulled her into a hug and inhaled her scent, filling my lungs.

“Did you enjoy the meal?”

“Yeah. Did you eat properly?”

“I did.”

I nodded in response and kissed her on the cheek.

But that wasn't enough—I kissed her lips, too. Deeply, tasting her as our tongues entwined, swallowing her soft sighs with every breath.

“Shall we take a bath together?”

I whispered sweetly, inviting her.

Akari's cheeks flushed, and she nodded. I kicked off my shoes and led her to the bathroom.

There and in the bedroom, we made love.

---

The next morning, I woke up with the woman I love in my arms.

I felt truly happy. I hoped I could feel this way every morning—and I believed I would.

I gently stroked her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered, and she opened her eyes.

With a soft, sleepy face, she looked at me and murmured in a raspy voice, “Morning…”

“Good morning, Akari.”

I kissed her forehead with a light smack.

Holding my sweet wife, who looked so blissful, I drifted back into a second sleep.

It was the perfect holiday.

Then came Monday morning.

I got a call from Kano.

I stared at the phone for a few seconds, then answered.

“Good morning, Kano. What's the matter?”

“Good morning… I'm sorry to bother you so early. But I had to tell you something…”

His voice was dark. I didn't say anything—just waited for him to continue.

“My fiancée… she's your wife's sister.”

“…What?”

“My fiancée… was Rika Suda—Akari Suda-san's younger sister.”

“…No way.”

I let the words fall from my lips like I was shocked—but inside, I couldn't stop the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“After our dinner, just in case, I asked an agency to look into her background… I told my father what you'd said, and he agreed it was necessary. That's when I found out—she said she was an only child, but she has a sister. And that sister is your wife, Akari Suda-san.”

“So… the Suda family, huh?”

“Yes… my fiancée was Rika Suda.”

A dry laugh came through the speaker.

“She was the worst… She snapped at me with zero remorse, saying, ‘It doesn't matter—my sister's as good as nonexistent anyway.' Seeing someone who could treat her own family that way… honestly, it terrified me.”

“She really said that? Unbelievable…”

“I asked her if what you said was true. She didn't answer—but she couldn't deny it either. So it must be. I couldn't take it anymore. I called off the engagement on the spot. I'm having my lawyer finalize it today.”

“I don't even know what to say…”

“No, I'm grateful. If I hadn't heard what you told me, I might've ended up marrying someone awful. And it would've come out eventually—when I finally met your wife. I'm glad this happened before the wedding. Thank you.”

He's right. He should be thanking me—after all, I saved him from getting tangled up with a cruel woman and her family.

“Guess it's a blessing in disguise.”

“Yeah… but can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“You didn't know my fiancée was your wife's sister when we had that dinner… right?”

So he's finally figured it out. That it wasn't just coincidence.

I let out a small “Eh?”—and that seemed to be enough for him to interpret it as denial.

“Right… Sorry. It's fine, either way. I'm just glad I was able to call off the engagement.”

He thanked me again. I don't know how much he actually realized—but it seemed like he had no intention of digging deeper.

We ended the call there.

I smiled with deep satisfaction.

Serves them right.

“Kenji? Breakfast is getting cold.”

I turned toward the voice—Akari was peeking into the room, worried that I hadn't come out yet.

I looked at her with a soft smile.

“I'm coming now.”

I need to tell Akari.

Her sister's engagement has been called off. The fiancé was Kano, and it all came to light because I told him about Akari's family. She'll probably get contacted again—so to protect her from being hurt any further, I need her to block them completely.

I won't let anyone hurt the woman I love ever again.

“…Shall we take the day off together?”

After explaining everything and making sure she blocked the number and rejected future calls, Akari sat there in silence, staring at her phone. I gently made the suggestion.

“It’s not okay for the next president to take a day off. I’m fine. Let’s get ready.”

“…Alright. Just don't push yourself, okay, my wife?”

“I won't, darling.”

Seeing her smile without forcing it put me at ease, and I pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

I'll make sure she stays happy—from now on, always.

I love you, Akari.