The man I thought was perfect left his wife for me, but I never saw the mess it would become.
Id fancied him since uniproper head-over-heels, the sort of love that makes you blind. When he finally noticed me years later, I was over the moon. We ended up at the same firmsame field, so not that surprising, but I swore it was fate.
Back then, he seemed like everything I wanted. I was young, didnt care he was married. Never been wed myself, had no clue what breaking a marriage felt like. So when James left his wife for me, I wasnt the least bit ashamed. Who knew itd bring so much grief? Theyre rightyou cant build happiness on someone elses pain.
When he picked me, I was floating. Couldve forgiven him anything. Truth is, at home, he wasnt the charmer everyone saw. His stuff was always everywhere, hed never lift a finger with the dishes. All the chores landed on me. But back then? Didnt matter.
He moved on fast from his first wife. No kids, and turns out her parents pushed them into it. With me, it was differentor so he said.
Didnt last, though. Not once I got pregnant. At first, James was thrilled. We even threw a big do to celebratefamily, friends, all wishing us luck. That nights one of my happiest memories. No regrets there. But after that? My blind love started crumbling.
The bigger my bump got, the less I saw of him. I was on maternity leave, so evenings were all we had. But hed stay late at work, always off to some office party. At first, I brushed it off. Soon, it wore me down. Even picking up his socks got hard.
Started wonderingdid we rush into this?
I knew love fades, but not this fast. James still brought flowers, chocolates, but all I wanted was him there.
Then I found out why he was always working. Colleagues let slipnew girl in the department. Staff was short anyway, and with me gone? Perfect timing.
Not sure if it was her, but he was definitely seeing someone. Always busywork, meetings, parties. One day, I found a note in his jacket. Initials I didnt know. Dont know why, but I put it back, pretended Id seen nothing.
Terrifying, being seven months pregnant and alone, while he moaned about me being hormonal. Every row ended with him sighing like I was mad. Knew if I brought it up, Id be on my own. Scared of losing himcouldnt think straight. They say fear makes things happen.
Turns out, James wasnt the gentleman I thought. Worst words I ever heard? Im not ready for kids. And: Theres someone else. Dont even remember how he said itjust remember feeling like my head would explode.
Never thought Id have the guts to file for divorce. Bet he didnt either. Or that Id chuck his stuff out the next day. Thank god we were rentingno messy split over the flat.
What about the baby? Howll you manage?
Ill sort it. Work from home. Mum and Dadve offered to help. Mum always said he was a cadshouldve listened.
Maybe knowing I had my son gave me strength. Alone, I mightve stayed.
But I couldnt raise a kid with a man like him.
His betrayal was so foul, I wanted nothing to do with him. Like Id woken up from a dream.
First months after? Brutal. Birth, recoveryall of it. Moved back with my parents, who doted on their grandson. Did I miss James? A bit. But I buried it. Knew Id done rightknew Id give my boy everything.
Once I was back on my feet, I hunted for work. Used to do legal translations freelanceturned it full-time remote. Some months were tight, but my parents helped. Soon, I had steady clients. Didnt need handouts anymore.
My son grew fast. Blink and he was starting school. First year, then fifthsuddenly, I felt happy again. Free.
Then James turned up.
Our towns not huge, and in law, everyone knows everyone. Wasnt hard for him to find my office. Wish Id moved away. Turns out, hed settled down, full of regrets. Said hed been young and stupid. Wanted to meet his son.
Thing islegally, he can. And if he pushes, hell find a way. But the thought terrifies me. Its been weeks
