The man I once dreamed of left his wife for me, but I never imagined how it would all unfold.
Id adored him since my university daysblind, foolish love, the kind that clouds judgment. When he finally noticed me years after graduation, I was over the moon. We ended up at the same firm, both in law, so it felt like fate.
He seemed perfect. Back then, I didnt care that he was married. Id never been wed before, so the pain of a broken marriage meant nothing to me. When James chose to leave his wife for me, I felt no shame. Who knew it would bring such heartache? They say its truehappiness built on anothers sorrow never lasts.
At first, I was euphoric, willing to overlook anything. But in reality, he wasnt the charming barrister he played in public. His clothes were always strewn about, and hed never lift a finger to wash up. The housework fell to me, but I didnt mindthen.
He moved on from his first marriage quickly. No children, just pressure from her family to wed. With me, he swore, it was different.
My joy lasted only until I fell pregnant. James was thrilled at first. We even hosted a grand gatheringchampagne, toasts, well-wishes for our future child. That night remains one of my happiest memories, and I dont regret it. But from then on, my blind love began to crumble.
The more my bump grew, the less I saw of him. On maternity leave, I waited alone most evenings. He stayed late at the office, attended networking events, or claimed urgent meetings. At first, I brushed it off, but soon it wore me down. Simple chores became exhaustingbending to pick up his discarded socks was impossible.
I wonderedhad we rushed into parenthood?
I knew passion fades, but not this fast. James still brought roses and truffles, but all I wanted was his presence.
Then came the truth. Colleagues casually mentioned a new junior associate in his department. With me gone, the team was stretched thin. The irony.
I wasnt sure if it was her, but he was never freealways at work, client dinners, or drinks with colleagues. One day, I found a note in his coat pocket, signed with unfamiliar initials. I slipped it back, pretending Id seen nothing.
By my seventh month, I was terrified, yet he called me unreasonable. Every row ended with his exasperated sigh. I bit my tongue, fearing confrontation would leave me alone. They say what you dread most often comes to pass.
No matter how sweetly James once wooed me, he was no knight. The cruellest words Ive ever heard: Im not cut out for fatherhood. And: Theres someone else. The details blur, but I remember the dizzying betrayal.
I never thought Id have the spine to file for divorce. He certainly didnt. Nor did he expect me to chuck his belongings out the next morning. At least wed only rented the flatno messy division.
What about the baby? How will you manage?
Ill cope. Freelance work, help from Mum and Dad. My mother always said he was a cadI shouldve listened.
Perhaps impending motherhood steeled me. Alone, I mightve stayed. But I refused to raise a child with a man like him.
His deceit was so vile, I wanted nothing more to do with him. The scales fell from my eyes.
The months afterbirth includedwere brutal. I moved back to my parents, who doted on their grandson. I wont say I never missed James, but I shoved the thoughts aside. Deep down, I knew Id done right by my son.
Once recovered, I hunted for work. Legal transcription, once occasional, became my remote livelihood. Lean months came, but my parents helped. Soon, I built steady clients and stood on my own.
My boy grew fast. Years blurred until I noticed he needed his own room. My parents hated the idea of us leaving, but we needed spacea home office for me, a proper study for him. By then, I could afford a flat.
Life settled. Nursery led to school, Year One to Year Six, and for the first time in ages, I felt free. Then, out of nowhere, James reappeared.
Our towns legal circle is small; he easily tracked down my office. I wished then Id moved away. He claimed hed changedregretted his youth, his mistakes, never knowing his son. He demanded to meet him.
The law grants him that right. If he pushes, hell find a way. But the thought terrifies me. Weeks have passed since he asked. I said Id think it over, but truthfully, Im paralysed. I want to shield my son from him.
Now I wonderis this my punishment for taking him from his first wife? Perhaps I really should move.
