**Diary Entry**
The man of my dreams left his wife for me, but I had no idea what was coming.
Id fancied him since my university days, back when I lived in a quiet village near Manchester. It was reckless, dizzying lovethe kind that blinds you to everything else. When he finally noticed me, years later, I lost what little sense I had left. Fate reunited us at the same law firm. Shared ambitions, shared passionsit felt like destiny, a fairy tale about to unfold.
He seemed perfect, plucked straight from my fantasies. His marriage didnt bother me then; I was too young to understand the wreckage left in the wake of an affair. I felt no guilt when Oliver left his wife for me. Whod have thought that choice would lead to so much pain? Theyre rightyou cant build happiness on someone elses heartbreak.
When he chose me, I floated on air, ready to forgive anything. But day to day, he was no prince. His mess cluttered our flat, he flat-out refused to wash a dish, and the chores fell squarely on my shoulders. Back then, I turned a blind eyelove made me soft, docile, foolishly patient.
He forgot his first marriage quickly, as if wiping it from memory. No children, he claimed, and the marriage itself was his in-laws doing. With you, its different. Youre my destiny, hed whisper, and Id melt. That happiness burned bright but brief as a struck match. Everything changed when I got pregnant.
At first, Oliver was overjoyedour child, his child! We threw a big family party, toasting health and happiness. That night glows in my memory, a flicker of warmth before the darkness closed in. I dont regret it, but after that, my blind love began to fade, like a candle guttering in the wind.
As my belly grew, Oliver vanished more often. Maternity leave left me alone while he worked late, disappeared to company dinners. At first, I endured itthen it became unbearable. I struggled through pregnancy while his shirts and socks piled up like silent accusations. I wondered if wed rushed into parenthood. Love cools with time, but I never imagined it could vanish so fast.
He still brought flowers, chocolatesempty gestures. I wanted his presence, his support. Then the truth came out. A chance coffee break with colleagues opened my eyes: a young, bright new hire had joined his team. Staff were stretched thin since Id left. Coincidence? Maybe. But Oliver clearly had someone else. His life was now work, meetings, emergencies. Once, I found a note in his jacket pocketunfamiliar initials. My heart clenched, but I slipped it back, too scared to confront him. The thought of facing the seventh month alone paralyzed me.
He complained I was always on edge. Every argument ended with a weary sigh, as if I were a burden. I avoided the real issueI knew it would end us. And it did. The worst words Ive ever heard: Im not ready for a child. Theres someone else. The rest blurredmy head roared, my world collapsed. Humiliation and pain nearly broke me.
But I found strength. I filed for divorce, each word on the papers like a stab. He never expected me to kick him out the next day. Thankfully, the flat was rentedno battle over property.
What about the baby? How will you manage? he spat as a goodbye.
Ill manage. Ill work from home. My parents will help. Mum always said you were a skirt-chaser. I shouldve listened, I shot back, slamming the door.
My son gave me courage I never knew I had. Alone, I mightve stayedbut for him, I walked away. Olivers betrayal was so vile, I scrubbed him from my life like a stain. The scales fell from my eyes.
The first months post-divorcebirth includedwere hell. I moved back to my parents in a nearby town. They welcomed us, doting on their grandson. I missed Oliver sometimes, but shoved those thoughts aside. Deep down, I knew Id done right. My son would have everything I could give.
Once recovered, I freelanced legal translations. Some months were lean, but my parents helped until I built steady work. My boy grewnursery turned to primary schooland for the first time in years, I breathed easy.
Then Oliver reappeared. Small legal circles meant he found my office effortlessly. How I wished Id moved farther! He claimed hed grown, regretted the past, called himself young and stupid. Now he wants to meet his sonthe one hes never seen.
Legally, he can. That thought chills me. Weeks have passed since he asked. I told him Id think on it, but my minds in turmoilI dont trust him. Is this my punishment? The cost of stealing him away? Im tempted to pack up, move cities, leave this ghost of the past knocking at my door.
