The man I once dreamed of left his wife for me, but little did I know the sorrow it would bring.
I had adored him since my days at Oxford. It was a love both foolish and blind, and when he finally noticed me, I lost all sense. It happened years after graduationwe found ourselves working at the same firm. With the same profession, such things were bound to occur. Yet I believed it was destiny.
He seemed everything I had ever wanted. In my youth, I scarcely minded that he was already wed. I had never been married myself and knew nothing of a broken home. So when Thomas chose to leave his wife for me, I felt no guilt. How could I have known it would lead to such heartache? They say happiness built on anothers pain is fleeting at best.
When he chose me, I was elated, willing to overlook his flaws. In truth, he was no knight in shining armour. His clothes were always strewn about our flat, and he refused to lift a finger in the kitchen. The burden of housework fell to me alonebut back then, I didnt care.
He put his first marriage behind him quickly. They had no children, and as it turned out, the wedding had been his in-laws doing. With me, he claimed, it was differentlove, not obligation.
My joy lasted only until I was with child. At first, Thomas was overjoyed. We even hosted a grand gathering to announce it, surrounded by well-wishes and toasts. That evening remains one of my fondest memories, and I regret none of it. But from that moment, my blind devotion began to wane.
The further along I grew, the less I saw of him. On maternity leave, I waited late into the night for his return. He stayed longer at the office, attended more company dinners. At first, I brushed it asidebut soon, it wore on me. Household tasks became a trial; bending to gather his discarded socks was no longer simple.
I wondered thenhad we been too hasty in starting a family?
I knew passion dulled with time, but not this swiftly. Thomas still brought flowers, chocolatesbut what I truly wanted was his presence.
In time, it became clear his late nights were no accident. Colleagues mentioned, in passing, a new hire in our department. With my leave, the team had been stretched thin. The irony was bitter.
I couldnt say for certain it was her, but my husband was undeniably occupied. Work, meetings, parties he couldnt miss. Once, I found a note in his coat pocket, signed with unfamiliar initials. I slipped it back, choosing silence.
Terrifying, to be alone in my seventh month, yet Thomas dismissed me as irrational. Every quarrel ended with his weary sigh. I knewif I pressed the matter, I might lose him entirely. Fear consumed me. They say what you dread most is what comes to pass.
For all his earlier charm, Thomas was no gentleman. The cruelest words I ever heard: Im not ready to be a father. And: Theres someone else. The details blur, but I remember the shattering of my heart.
I never thought Id have the strength to file for divorce. He certainly didnt. Nor did he expect me to toss his belongings onto the pavement the very next day. A small mercywed only rented the flat, so there was no property to divide.
What of the child? he demanded. How will you manage?
Ill find a way. Remote work, perhaps. And my parents have offered help. My mother always said you were a cadI should have listened.
Perhaps the thought of my son steeled my resolve. Alone, I might have stayed.
But I refused to raise a child with such a man.
His betrayal was so vile, I wanted nothing more to do with him. The scales had fallen from my eyes.
The months after the divorcebirth includedwere gruelling. I returned to my parents home, where my sons grandparents doted on him. I wont claim I never missed Thomas, but I pushed the thoughts aside. Deep down, I knew Id done right by my boy.
Once recovered, I sought work. Freelance legal translation, once sporadic, became my livelihood. Lean months came, but my parents steadied me. In time, I built a steady clientele and stood on my own.
My son grew swiftlythe years slipped by. Only when he needed his own room did I take notice. My parents begged us to stay, but I longed for our own space. An office for me, a proper study for him. By then, I could afford a flat of our own.
Life settled. Nursery became primary school, Year One became Year Five. For the first time in ages, I felt free. Then, suddenly, he reappeared.
Our town is small, and in legal circles, everyone knows everyone. Thomas had little trouble tracking down my office. I wished then that Id moved away. He claimed hed changedregretted his actions, mourned missing his sons life. He begged to meet him.
The law grants him that right. And if hes determined, hell find a way. But the thought terrifies me. Weeks have passed since our talk. I told him Id consider itbut truthfully, Im at a loss. I want to shield my son from him.
Now I wonderis this my punishment? For taking Thomas from his first wife? Perhaps I ought to leave this town behind entirely.
