As he went away, I felt both heartbroken and angry. I loved my son, yet his actions greatly pained me. I could not stay in this marriage. I needed to do what was best for myself.
The next morning, I contacted a lawyer and began the divorce proceedings. It was the most difficult decision I’d ever taken, but I was confident it was the right one.
I couldn’t be with a man who had betrayed me so badly. I needed to move forward, even if it meant starting over.
A few days later, David came home from one of his trips. I confronted him with the photos and the divorce papers. “It’s over, David. I know everything.”
David looked sh 0cked, but he didn’t deny it. “I’m sorry, Marie. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“It’s too late for apologies,” I replied, my voice cold. “I’m done.”
The worst blow came when Jake decided to live with David. “I want to be with Dad,” he replied, avoiding my eyes.
I felt my heart break all over again. “Why, Jake?” “After everything?”
“I just…” I cannot stay here, Mom. “I am sorry.”
As they packed up their belongings and went, I stood alone in the empty house, feeling abandoned and deceived. But deep inside, I felt I’d made the correct decision. I had to start over, for my own sake. And one day, I wished Jake could understand why I did what I did. Until then, I had to rely on my own strength and rebuild my life from the parts they had left behind.
