My Husband Insisted I Host His Friends While I Was Recovering in a Neck Brace, Until His Mother Walked Through the Door

January 25, 2026 by ucef

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I told myself to be grateful.

I did not feel like I had a choice.

The Birthday Conversation That Changed Everything

About a week later, Jake mentioned his upcoming birthday. I was sitting on the couch with an ice pack against my neck and a breast pump running when he walked in and said casually, “The guys are coming over Friday. Game night. I already told them.”

I stared at him, confused.

“I can’t host,” I said. “I can barely move my head.”

He shrugged. “It’s just snacks and some cleaning. You’re home anyway.”

Those words stung more than I expected.

“I’m not home for fun,” I said. “I’m injured. The doctor said I can’t bend or lift. I can’t even carry our daughter.”