**Diary Entry**
I thought I was taking control of my life. Instead, I threw it all away.
Three weeks ago, I packed my thingsnot in secret, not quietly. I did it after standing in front of fifty peoplemy husbands entire familyand announcing I was leaving him for my colleague.
It wasnt a rash decision. My husband had been out of work for eight months. Not laid offsacked. For turning up drunk to his warehouse job. Again. He swore hed find something, but he spent his days glued to his console while I worked double shifts at the pub, barely covering rent and groceries.
James, my colleague, started as a barman six months ago. Clever. Driven. Actually owned his own car instead of relying on mine every day. We got talking during quiet shifts. Then texting. Then meeting after work.
One evening, in his flat, he looked at me and said, *You deserve someone who can actually look after you. Not some waster glued to a screen all day.*
I believed him.
The family reunion was at my mother-in-laws in Manchester. Her garden was packed with relatives, laughter, and fold-out chairs. My husband was bragging about some online tournament hed won. His cousin asked about his job hunt.
*Close,* he lied. *Got a few good leads.*
I snapped.
*Actually, he hasnt sent a single CV in months,* I said, standing. *Im done pretending. Im leaving him for someone with a proper job and ambition.*
The garden fell silent. My husbands face went white.
*What the hell are you on about?* he asked.
I didnt hesitate.
*Im talking about how you cant even afford a food shop. How Ive found someone bettersomeone who earns instead of sponging off me.*
His sister gasped. His aunt dropped her plate. My mother-in-law stormed across the lawn and slapped me hard across the face.
*Get out of my house. Now.*
*Gladly,* I said, my cheek stinging. *Have fun coddling your useless son.*
I left with just my handbag. That night, I moved in with James. Posted online about my fresh start with a *real man.*
It lasted two months.
Turns out, James was also seeing the new waitress. And one of the kitchen staff. I walked in on them in his bed when I came home early from a shift.
*You knew I wasnt the settling-down type,* he said, as if I was daft for expecting loyalty.
I had nowhere to go. My husband had changed the locks. My family told me Id made my choice. James kept my deposit on the flat we were meant to share.
Now Im at a roadside burger van. Minimum wage. No tips.
My husband landed a job at his mates building firm last month. Posted pics of his new van yesterday.
The mark from the slap faded, but I still feel it sometimes. That moment I thought I was so clever, so righteous. When I burned everything for a man who saw me as just another fling.
He still works at the pub. Already has a new girlfriend. I flip burgers and wonder if this is my comeuppance.
But standing there, shaming my husband in front of everyonewas it necessary? Or was I just heartless?
