Now Im 52 years old. And I have nothing. No wife, no family, no kids, no job nothing at all.
My names Peter. My wife and I were married for 30 years. I was always the one who provided for the family, while my wife Margaret took care of the home. I never wanted her to workI was happy she was there. But over time, it started to bother me.
We lived together, respecting each other, but the love faded. I thought that was just how things went. It seemed fine. But then everything changed. One night, at a pub, I met Emma. She was 20 years youngergorgeous, kind, and fun. Like a dream come true.
We started seeing each other, and soon she became my mistress. After two months, I realised I didnt want to keep cheating on my wife. I dreaded going home after work. I knew I loved Emma and wanted her to be my wife.
A few days later, I told Margaret the truth. She didnt make a scene. Stayed calm. I thought maybe she didnt love me either, so thats why she took it so well. But now I see how much I hurt her.
We divorced. Sold the flat where wed spent so many years together. Emma insisted I shouldnt let my ex-wife keep it, so I didnt. Margaret bought a tiny studio flat. With my savings, I got a two-bedroom place for Emma.
I didnt help my ex-wifedidnt give her a penny. I knew she had no money and wouldnt find work straight away. But at the time, I didnt care. Our sons, James and William, didnt want to speak to me. They felt Id betrayed their mum and couldnt forgive me.
Back then, it didnt matter much. Emma was pregnant, and we were excited for the baby. Soon, a little boy was born. But he didnt look like me or Emma. My mates joked he wasnt mine. I ignored them.
Life with Emma was rough. I worked long hours, took care of the house and the baby. Emma just asked for money and was always out. The place was a mess, never any food ready. Shed come home at 3 or 4 in the morning, smelling of booze, picking fights over nothing.
In the end, I lost my job. I was exhausted, angry, and doing rubbish work. That went on for three years. Then my brotherwho never liked Emma and doubted the kid was mineconvinced me to do a DNA test. Turned out, he wasnt my son.
We divorced straight after the truth came out. By then, I hadnt spoken to Margaret or my sons in years. After the divorce, I decided to go back to my first wife. I bought flowers, wine, a cakewent to see her. But Margaret didnt live there anymore. The new owner gave me her address.
I went over. A man answered the door. Turned out Margaret had landed a good job and married a colleague. She was happy, doing well.
Later, I bumped into her at a café. I begged her to take me back. She looked at me like I was daft and walked away. Now I see the mistake I made. What did I want? What did I actually gain? Why did I leave my wife for some young girl?
Now Im 52. And I have nothing. No wife, no job, not even my kids will talk to me. I lost everything that mattered. And its all my fault. Worst part? I can never fix it.
