I thought my marriage to Nathan was loving for nine years. He told me we’d grow together after we got married young. Ellie, our daughter, made our lives better. Nathan, on the other hand, was mean and critical, which hurt our friendship.
“You’ve given up, Dani,” he’d say. “You’re not a good mum.” Even though I worked from home, he said I forgot about Ellie. His words made me feel tired.
A short respite came from a new job opening in another place. Nathan seemed nice again. We moved so that we could start over.
Ellie started going to a new school, but she quickly became sad and wouldn’t say why. It was one day that I saw her crying.
“I don’t want Miss Allen to be my mum!” She cried, “I want you!”
My world fell apart. Nathan slept with Miss Allen, Ellie’s teacher.
When I talked to Nathan about it, I could feel his guilt. He had been seeing someone else before we moved in, but she wanted more. The new job was his way out.
I moved Ellie to a different school to make sure she was safe. I told Miss Allen about Nathan’s cheating when I talked to her.
Divorce was going to happen. Even though it hurt, I felt better. We were wrecked by Nathan’s lie.
Now I’m focussing on Ellie and telling her I love her no matter what. She has forgotten about Miss Allen and is doing great with her new teacher.
Nathan can go see Ellie, but I care more about making her happy. I’m finally strong enough to move on.
