The man I thought was perfect left his wife for me, but I never dreamed how it would all unfold.
Id fancied him since unicall it blind, daft love. When he finally noticed me, I was over the moon. It happened a few years after graduationwe wound up at the same firm. Not surprising, given we shared the same field. But to me, it felt like fate.
He seemed like everything Id ever wanted. Back then, I didnt care that he was married. Id never been wed myself, so I had no clue what tearing a marriage apart felt like. When Oliver decided to leave his wife for me, I didnt feel an ounce of guilt. Who knew itd bring such heartache? Theyre rightyou cant build happiness on someone elses ruins.
When he picked me, I was chuffed to bits, ready to forgive anything. Truth be told, he wasnt the prince he played in public. His things were always strewn about the flat, and hed flat-out refuse to wash up. The housework all fell on me, but at the time, I didnt mind.
He moved on fast from his first marriage. No kids, as it turned outher parents had pushed them into it. With me, he swore it was different.
That happiness didnt last. Once I got pregnant, things changed. At first, Oliver was thrilled. We even threw a big do to celebrate. Family toasted us, wishing love and health for the baby. That nights one of my fondest memoriesno regrets there. But after that, my blind love started to crack.
The further along I got, the less I saw of him. Id gone on leave, so hed come home late, always staying after hours or off to some work bash. At first, I brushed it off, but soon it wore me down. Even simple chores became a slogbending down to pick up his socks was a struggle.
I wonderedhad we rushed into this?
I knew passion fades, but not this fast. He still brought flowers and chocolates, but all I wanted was his time.
Then the truth came out. His work events werent just work. A colleague let slip over tea that a new girl had joined our team. Short-staffed since Id left, theyd hired fresh blood. The irony.
I wasnt sure if it was her, but Oliver was definitely seeing someonehis calendar was packed. Work, meetings, parties he couldnt miss. One day, I found a note in his coat pocket, signed with initials I didnt know. Dont ask why, but I put it back and played dumb.
Terrified at seven months pregnant, I bit my tongue whenever he sighed about me being hormonal. Arguing only made him more distant. Deep down, I knew if I pressed him, Id be alone. Fear of losing him consumed me. Funny how the things you dread most come to pass.
For all his charm, Oliver was no gentleman. The worst words Ive ever heard? Im not ready for kids. And, Theres someone else. Dont recall the exact phrasingjust remember feeling like my head might explode.
Never thought Id have the spine to file for divorce. Bet he didnt either. Or that Id chuck his stuff out the next day. Small mercy we were rentingno messy split over the flat.
What about the baby? How will you manage?
Ill sort it. Remote work, maybe. Mum and Dad have offered to help. Mum always said he was a cadshouldve listened.
Maybe it was the thought of my son that steeled me. Alone, I mightve stayed. But I refused to raise a child with a man like that.
His betrayal was so foul, I wanted him gone. Like scales falling from my eyes.
Those first months post-divorcebirth includedwere brutal. Moved back with my parents, who doted on their grandson. Cant say I never missed Oliver, but I shoved those thoughts aside. Knew Id done right by my boy.
Once Id healed, I hunted for work. Did freelance legal translations beforeturned it into a proper remote gig. Tight months? Parents helped. Soon, I had steady clients and didnt need handouts.
My son grew fast. Blink and he was five, needing his own room. Mum and Dad begged us to stay, but I wanted our own place. Needed a proper office; he needed space to learn. By then, I could afford rent.
From there, life settled. Nursery led to school, year one to year fiveand for the first time in ages, I felt free. Then, out of nowhere, he reappeared.
Our towns not huge, and in law, everyone knows everyone. Oliver tracked down my office easy. Wish Id moved away. Turns out hed grown up, full of regret. Said hed been young and stupid. Wanted to meet his son.
Heres the rub: the law lets him. If he pushes, hell find a way. The thought terrifies me. Weeks since we spoke, Ive told him Id think on itbut truthfully, Im stalling. I dont want them to meet.
Now I wonderis this my comeuppance? For taking him from his first wife? Maybe I really should move.
