Kicked out by my husbandyears later, I realised it was the best thing that could have happened. When he threw me onto the street, I didnt want to live. It took time to see that it was the turning point I needed.
Id married for love and never imagined the hardships ahead. After our daughter was born, I put on three stone, and from that moment, everything changed.
My husband grew cruel, calling me a “cow” and a “pig,” as if I were no longer a woman. Hed compare me to his friends wives, saying they looked perfect while Id let myself go. His words cut deep. Then I discovered his young mistresshe didnt even bother hiding her. Hed chat openly on the phone, texting her while our daughter and I became invisible.
Nights were spent crying, with no one to confide in. I was an orphan, no family, and friends had drifted after the wedding. He grew bolder, raising his hand to me. Our daughters cries at night infuriated him; hed shout at me to silence her, threatening to throw us out.
Ill never forget that evening. He came home from work and told me to leave. It was nearly dark, snow falling. With one bag and our child in my arms, I stood outside, lost. He wouldnt even let me pack. As I struggled to process it, a taxi pulled uphis mistress stepped out with a suitcase and walked into our flat. All I had were a few crumpled notes in my pocket.
My only hope was the hospital where Id once worked. Luck was on my sidea nurse I knew was on duty and let us stay the night.
The next morning, I pawned my mothers cross necklace, the earrings my husband had given me before the wedding, and my ring. I found an ad from an elderly woman, Grandma Hilda, renting a room on the outskirts of town. She became family. With her watching our daughter, I found work.
No qualifications meant gruelling shiftspacking at a meat factory by day, scrubbing stairwells at night. Then I met a woman whose homes I cleaned. She offered me a job as an administrator at her firm, with decent pay. Because of her, I went to university, graduated, and became a solicitor.
Now my daughters at Oxford, weve a three-bed flat in London, a car, and holidays abroad twice a year. My law practice thrives, and Im grateful fate forced me out all those years ago. Otherwise, Id never have achieved half this.
Recently, my daughter and I looked at land near the countryside to build a holiday home. We found the perfect plotuntil the door opened, and there stood my ex-husband, his mistress (now stout) behind him. Every bitter word rose in my throat, but I just stared. Before me was a bloated, drunken man in debtthats why they were selling. Silence hung heavy until I called my daughter, and we drove away.
Grandma Hildas still part of our liveswe visit often, bringing gifts and helping where we can. Ill never forget her kindness when I had nothing. And I owe Katherine, my employer, everythingshe gave me the chance to believe in myself and succeed.
