The man I had always longed for left his wife for me, but I never anticipated how it would all unfold.
I had adored him since my university daysa love so blind and foolish, it defied reason. When he finally noticed me, I was utterly swept away. It happened years after graduation, when we coincidentally ended up at the same firm. We shared the same profession, so it wasnt unusual, but to me, it felt like destiny.
He seemed perfectmy ideal man. In my naivety, I didnt care that he was married. Id never been wed myself and didnt understand the pain of a broken marriage. So when Edward chose to leave his wife for me, I felt no guilt. Little did I know the sorrow it would bring. Theyre rightyou cant build joy on anothers heartache.
At first, I was euphoric, willing to overlook anything. But the truth was, Edward was no prince at home. His clothes were always strewn about, and he refused to lift a finger around the house. The chores fell entirely on me, yet I didnt mindnot then.
He moved on swiftly from his first marriage. Theyd had no children, and it turned out her parents had pushed for the wedding. With me, he swore, it was different.
My happiness lasted only until I became pregnant. Edward was thrilled at firstwe even threw a grand celebration with family, who showered us with well-wishes. That evening remains one of my fondest memories, and I dont regret it. But from then on, my blind devotion began to wither.
The further along I was, the less I saw of him. With me on maternity leave, he arrived home late, citing work or office parties. At first, I brushed it off, but soon, it wore me down. Household tasks grew unbearableI could barely bend to pick up his discarded socks.
I wonderedhad we rushed into parenthood?
Love fades, they say, but I never expected it to happen so fast. Edward still brought flowers and chocolates, but all I truly wanted was his presence.
Then came the truth. My colleagues casually mentioned a new hirea young woman in our department. With my leave, staffing was tight. The irony wasnt lost on me.
I wasnt certain it was her, but Edward was clearly occupiedalways at work, meetings, or parties. One day, I found a note in his coat pocket, signed with unfamiliar initials. I slipped it back, pretending I hadnt seen it.
By my seventh month, I was terrified and alone, yet Edward dismissed me as irrational. Every disagreement ended with his exasperated sigh. I knew confronting him would cost me everything, so I stayed silent. They say fear invites what you dread most.
However charming Edward had been, he was no gentleman. The cruelest words Id ever heard: *»Im not ready for children.»* And: *»Theres someone else.»* I barely recall the restonly the shattering of my world.
Somehow, I found the strength to file for divorce. He never expected me to refuse his behaviour, nor that Id toss his belongings out the next day. At least wed rentedno property to divide.
*»What about the child?»* he demanded. *»How will you manage?»*
*»Ill manage,»* I replied. *»Ill work from home. My parents have offered to help. My mother always said you were a cadI shouldve listened.»*
Perhaps it was my unborn son who steeled me. Alone, I might have stayed. But I refused to raise a child with a man like him.
His betrayal was so vile, I wanted nothing more to do with him. The scales had fallen from my eyes.
The months afterbirth includedwere gruelling. I moved back in with my parents, who doted on their grandson. I missed Edward at times, but I buried those thoughts. Deep down, I knew Id done right by my son.
Once recovered, I sought work. Legal translations, once a side gig, became my full-time remote job. Some months were lean, but my parents helped. Soon, I had steady clients and independence.
Years flew by. My son grew, and before I knew it, he needed his own room. My parents begged us to stay, but I longed for our own spacea home office for me, a proper study for him. By then, I could afford it.
Life settled. Nursery led to school, and for the first time in years, I felt free. Then, out of nowhere, Edward reappeared.
Our city was small, and in legal circles, everyone knew everyone. He found my office easily. I wished then that Id moved away.
He claimed hed changedgrown remorseful, regretted abandoning his son. He demanded to meet him.
The law grants him that right. If he pushes, hell find a way. The thought terrifies me. Weeks have passed since our talk. I said Id consider it, but truthfully, Im paralysed. I want to shield my son from him.
Now, I wonderis this my punishment for taking Edward from his first wife? Perhaps I really ought to leave this city behind.
**Sometimes, the price of love isnt paid by you aloneit echoes through lives you never meant to hurt. I packed our things slowly, quietly, giving myself time to reconsider. But every time I looked at my sons laughing face, I knew I couldnt risk it. Edward had mastered the art of charm, and I wouldnt let him rewrite his past into my childs future. We left in the early hours of a grey morning, the city still asleep. No note, no tracejust a new address sealed in an envelope with my parents names. When he comes looking, theyll tell him only what they must. My son deserves a childhood untouched by ghosts. And I, at last, deserve peace.
