Honestly, I never could have pictured myself in a situation like thisit just seemed totally impossible. And now, looking back, I cant believe I was blind to who Id really been living with all these years.
So, I met Richard when I was 15 and he was 17. We ended up getting married five years later, and less than a year after that, I was pregnant. He was over the moon when our daughter was bornshe was his little princess, and he was always fussing over her, taking her to nursery and every activity under the sun. We bought a lovely two-bedroom flat, and my family felt like something out of a fairy tale for a while. He worked even harder, always trying to provide. Hed take our girl for walks, watch cartoons with her, absolutely doted on her. I honestly thought life couldnt get any better.
And then, everything flipped upside down practically overnight.
I was pregnant with our second child when someone knocked on our front door. I opened it to find a young woman standing there, about 20 or so, holding a baby in her arms. I hesitated, but let her inside. Turns out, her name was Sadieshe was 19and she was involved with Richard.
Shed just had a baby boy two weeks before and came to lay everything out, no more secrets. She told me shed been with Richard for two years, and she made it clear that she wasnt going to quietly fade away. I called Richard and told him to get home, and his response honestly floored me:
Girls, we used to get along so well. Why not just leave things as they are? Im not changing anything. I dont want to break up with you, but Im not leaving Sadie either.
I couldnt handle it. Through tears, I packed his bags myself. When I finally threw him out, he stopped me in the hallway and said,
Love, youll regret this. The flats in my name, so you and the kids will have to move back to your old place on the edge of Birmingham. And dont expect child supportthe wage on paper is barely anything. Think about how youll manage now.
I honestly didnt recognise the man Id spent my whole life with.
That moment, I knew I couldnt let my kids be raised around him. He left for Sadie, and I bundled up what was left of our lives and moved back into my small flat.
There wasnt really time to cry or wallow. Richard filed for divorce almost immediately, and I spent every last pound I had hiring a good solicitor. Luckily, the solicitor did a sterling jobthe flat stayed with me and the kids. I didnt even bother asking for child support.
Seven years later, I remarried. My husband is nothing like Richardhes truly wonderful. Oh, and turns out Sadie only wanted Richard for his cash. When he lost the flat, she booted him out. He tried crawling back to me, but if you cant commit, you cant sit on the fence. Especially after everything he said.
Would you ever take Richard back?
