A Week After We Moved in Together, He Handed Me a ‘House Uniform’—He Wasn’t Ready for What Came Next

“It’s your house uniform,” Derek announced with undisguised pride. “My mom wore one every day. It makes things feel more orderly.”

I ran my fingers over the cotton apron and eyed the black dress warily. Was “house uniform” another word for Puritan dress? All it was missing was a broad collar and a bonnet.

“You’re serious?” I asked, my voice carefully flat.

Derek doubled down with a wink. “Totally. No pressure, though — it’s just tradition. Helps keep the homemaker mindset, y’know?”

I stared at him, searching his face for any sign he was joking. There wasn’t one.

“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” he added, his tone suggesting I should be thanking him.

“It’s definitely a surprise,” I replied, focusing on keeping my expression neutral.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. This wasn’t what I’d signed up for — but part of me wondered if I should’ve seen it coming.

I met Derek when I was working as a successful analyst. Over our year of dating, he had convinced me I’d love being a homemaker, especially since we both dreamed of having two or three kids in the future.

He assured me his job could support us entirely, that we’d have more than enough.

When I suggested finding remote work, he insisted I’d be happier as a trad wife, that I could rediscover myself, take up new hobbies, and eventually focus on the baby.