Im now 52 and have nothing leftno wife, no family, no children, no job… nothing.
My name is Pedro. María and I were married for thirty years. I was always the breadwinner while María took care of the home. I never wanted her to work; I liked having her at home. Over time, though, she began to irritate me.
We lived together respectfully, but the love faded. I thought that was normal and was okay with it, until everything changed. One night in a bar I met Elena, a woman twenty years my junior. She was beautiful, kind and funnya dream come true.
We started seeing each other, and soon she became my lover. After two months I realized I didnt want to keep deceiving María. I stopped wanting to go home after work. I understood that I loved Elena and wanted her to be my wife.
A few days later I told María the truth. She didnt make a scene; she stayed calm. I assumed she didnt love me either, which is why she accepted it so serenely. Now I see how much I hurt her.
We divorced and sold the apartment where we had spent many years together. Elena insisted that I not leave the flat for my exwife, and thats what I did. María bought a tiny studio. Using my savings, I purchased a twobedroom apartment for Elena.
I gave María no help, not even a single cent. I knew she had no money and wouldnt find work right away, but at that moment I didnt care. Our sons, Miguel and Santiago, refused to speak to me; they felt I had betrayed their mother and couldnt forgive me.
I didnt mind much then. Elena was pregnant, and we were eagerly awaiting the babys arrival. The child was born, but he didnt resemble either of us. My friends doubted he was my son, and I didnt want to hear them.
Life with Elena deteriorated. I had to work a lot, tend to the house, and look after the child. Elena only asked for money and constantly left the home. The house was a mess, there was never any food prepared, and she would return at three or four in the morning smelling of alcohol, causing fights over anything.
Eventually I lost my job. I was exhausted, angry, and performed poorly. That was my reality for three years. Then my brotherwho had never approved of Elena and also doubted the childs paternityconvinced me to take a DNA test. It turned out the boy wasnt mine.
We divorced immediately after the truth came out. By then I had had no contact with María or my children. After the split with Elena, I decided to go back to my first wife. I bought flowers, wine, a cake, and went to see her. It turned out María no longer lived there; the new owner gave me her new address.
When I arrived, a man opened the door. María had landed a good job and married a coworker. She was happy and doing well.
Later I ran into her at a café and asked her to return to me. She looked at me as if I were foolish and walked away. Now I understand the mistake I made. What was I looking for? What did I achieve? Why did I leave my wife for a younger woman?
Now Im 52, with nothing. No wife, no job, and even my children wont talk to me. Ive lost everything that mattered most, all because of my own choices. Unfortunately, Ill never be able to fix this error
