I cut ties with my parents because of my wife.
Im 44 now, and I grew up in a family most people would envy. My parentsboth doctors with their own clinics in a little village near Manchesterwere loving and supportive, and my brother was my best mate from childhood right through our teens. It was a picture-perfect life, full of warmth and care. But everything changed when she came into my worldthe woman who turned it upside down and eventually tore it apart.
I met Emily during my first year at uni. She was my complete opposite, like chalk and cheese. Shed spent her childhood in foster care before being adopted at 11, but happiness didnt lasther adoptive parents split up, and Emily stayed with her mum, who spiralled into alcoholism. Her relationship with her dad fizzled out. Life had been a constant battle, but she pushed throughtough as nails, determined to leave her past behind. After school, she put herself through uni, working two jobs, studying late into the night, and graduated with honours. That grit amazed me.
Our relationship started like a fairy tale, until I brought her home. Emily, whod grown up with next to nothing, looked at our cosy house with barely hidden scorn. She didnt say anything then, but later, mid-argument, she snapped that we were just posh snobs living in a fantasy world. Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, but I swallowed my pride, blaming it on her rough upbringing. We got past it, though the cracks were starting to show.
Before the wedding, I mentioned that my parents wanted to pay for the ceremony. Emily blew up like a firework: I dont want to owe them a thing! Her voice shook with rage, and I didnt know how to calm her. So, behind her back, I talked to my parents, and to keep the peace, they quietly gave me the money. I never told Emily. The wedding was beautiful, and she was chuffed, thinking wed done it all ourselvesproof of our independence. I stayed quiet, too scared to shatter the illusion.
When we found out we were having a daughter, my parents were over the moon. One day, they brought round baby clothestiny dresses and booties. I braced for a storm, but Emily surprised me by smiling and thanking them. The second they left, though, her voice turned icy: No more gifts from your parents. I couldnt bring myself to tell Mum and Dadtheir joy for their granddaughter was so pure, I didnt want to crush it. When they asked what we needed, I lied, saying wed already bought everything.
But the storm hit before the birth. My parents turned up unannounced with a brand-new pramthe expensive one wed seen in the shop. Emily went white: This is just flashy rubbishtake it back! Words flew, and a full-blown row erupted. She screamed insults while I stood there, shell-shocked. The visit ended in chaos, and later that night, she went into early labour. And who did she blame? My parents! Said the stress they caused triggered it. For the first time, I snapped back: Thats not fairthey didnt do this!
Then she gave me an ultimatumbrutal, like a death sentence. Stay with her and our daughter but cut off my parents and brother completelyno contact, no moneyor divorce and never see my little girl again. My heart shattered. What could I do? I chose my wife and child, turning my back on the family whod loved me unconditionally. I gave up my parents affection, the inheritance that couldve set us up for life. We moved to another town, leaving the past behind.
For twelve years, I havent heard my mums voice, hugged my dad, or laughed with my brother. I teach at a school now, and every months a struggle to make ends meet. We live frugally, almost in poverty, because Emily refuses help. When I look at her, I dont recognise the woman who once inspired me with her strength. Now all I see is angershe hates the world, blames everyone for her life not being like theirs. The thing I loved in her has turned toxic, eating me up inside.
Im thinking about divorce. The kids are older, and I hope theyll understand why I cant live like this anymore. I was wrong about Emilyso wrong it hurts. Her pride, which I mistook for strength, turned out to be poison, ruining everything. Now Im standing in the wreckage of my life, wondering: How could I have been so blind? How could I throw away my family for a woman who cant even stand the shadow of happiness?
