Although he had previously hit me once or twice, it became more frequent as the children came.
My personality was bold and confident. But with my husband, it was like a scared cat. He would get angry at me and come after me with all his might. To avoid pissing him off, I would walk on eggshells whenever I was near him. This put me on edge. I took my anger out on my children, not on my oppressor.
I was beaten so badly by him that the security guards at the gate had to come to my aid. That day, I decided to move out and stay with a relative. He refused to allow me to leave the children. I reported him to Alausa’s Lagos state family unit. They intervened.
Because I was a full-time mother, I did not have a job. My husband provided a comfortable lifestyle for me and my children. I’m highly qualified. So I resigned my certificate and started working full-time. I found a safe and decent apartment to rent and filed for divorce. It was a difficult, painful, frustrating, and depressing battle. My husband and I divorced. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right thing.
My children now live with me in a secure and safe home. My job, therapy, and living intentionally are helping me heal. I’m glad that I decided to leave. I now live my life on my terms and not the terms of someone who doesn’t value my life.