The man Id always longed for left his wife for me, but I never dreamed how it would all unravel.
Id fancied him since my uni daysa love that was blind and reckless. When he finally noticed me, I was over the moon. It happened a few years after graduation, when we landed jobs at the same firm. Given our shared field, it wasnt unusual, but to me, it felt like destiny.
He seemed perfect. Back then, I didnt care that he was already married. Id never been wed myself and had no idea what breaking a marriage truly meant. So when James chose me over his wife, I felt no guilt. Little did I know the heartache it would bring. They say it rightyou cant build joy on anothers pain.
When he picked me, I was chuffed and wouldve forgiven him anything. But in reality, he wasnt the charming bloke he played in public. His things were always strewn about the flat, and hed flat-out refuse to lift a finger with the dishes. The chores fell to me, but at the time, I didnt mind.
He moved on from his old marriage quick enough. No kids, and as it turned out, his in-laws had pushed for the wedding. With me, it was differentor so he claimed.
My happiness didnt last. It ended the moment I fell pregnant. At first, James was thrilled. We even threw a proper do to celebrate, with family raising a glass to our little one. That night remains one of my fondest memories, and Ive no regrets. But from then on, my blind love began to wither.
The bigger my bump grew, the less I saw of James. Id gone on maternity leave, so our paths crossed late at night. He stayed late at the office more often, always off to some work bash. At first, I brushed it off, but soon it wore me down. Even simple chores became a strugglebending down to pick up his discarded socks was impossible.
I started wonderinghad we rushed into having a baby?
I knew love could fade, but not this fast. James still brought flowers and chocolates, but all I wanted was his time.
Then the truth came out. His work events werent so innocent. A mate from the office let slip over tea that a new lass had joined our team. With me on leave, theyd been short-staffed. The irony wasnt lost on me.
I wasnt sure if it was her, but James was definitely seeing someone. His schedule was packedwork, meetings, parties he couldnt miss. One day, I found a note in his jacket pocket, signed with initials I didnt know. Dont ask why, but I slipped it back and played dumb.
It was terrifying, seven months gone and alone, yet James moaned that Id become unreasonable. Every row ended with his exasperated sigh. Part of me knew if I pressed him, Id end up on my own. The fear of losing him was so strong, it clouded everything. They say if you dread something enough, itll happen.
For all his grand gestures, James was no knight. The worst words I ever heard? Im not ready to be a dad. And: Theres someone else. I barely recall how he said itjust that my world shattered.
I never thought Id have the guts to file for divorce. Clearly, he didnt either. Nor did he expect me to chuck his things out the next day. At least wed only rented the flatno messy split over property.
What about the baby? How will you manage?
Ill sort it. Freelance work, maybe. Mum and Dad have offered to help. Mum always said he was a wrong unshouldve 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 nothing more to do with him. Like scales had fallen from my eyes.
The months after the split were brutalbirth included. I moved back with my parents, who doted on their grandson. I wont say I never missed James, but I shoved the thought aside. Deep down, I knew Id done right by my boy.
Once Id bounced back, I hunted for work. Id dabbled in legal translations before, so I turned it into a proper remote gig. Some months were lean, but Mum and Dad helped. Soon, I had steady clients and didnt need their support.
My son grew fastblink, and he was starting school. When he needed his own room, I knew it was time to move out. My parents hated to see us go, but I craved our own space. By then, I could afford a place.
Life finally settled. Nursery led to primary school, then Year Six, and for the first time in ages, I felt free. Then, out of the blue, James reappeared.
Our towns not huge, and in our line of work, everyone knows everyone. So it wasnt hard for James to track down my office. Part of me wished Id moved away. He claimed hed changedsaid hed been young and daft, regretted missing his sons life, and demanded to meet him.
Heres the rub: the law lets a father see his child. And if James pushes, hell find a way. But the thought terrifies me. Weeks have passed since we spoke. I told him Id think on it, but truthfully, Im stumped. I want to keep my son from him.
Now I wonderis this my comeuppance? Karma for taking James from his first wife? Maybe I really should pack up and leave.
