My wife left me and the kids, causing sadness, rage, and a million questions from my girls and relatives that I couldn’t answer.
I thought my ten-year marriage was perfect, but it ended.
In the last few months of my marriage, Melissa became aloof and spent more time on her phone and social media than with the daughters.
Like something changed in her. Her former self was gone.
Unexpectedly, she ended the marriage.
I told Melissa, “Melissa, it’s not just about you and I, we have two daughters together,” to reconsider.
My cries became begging in later days, but she didn’t listen.
“What is wrong, Melissa, we can work together on whatever makes you feel this way,” I replied, but she looked ready to leave.
We weren’t rich, but we had nannies for the daughters and could afford two family vacations a year, but my wife wanted more.
“I’ve found myself,” she added. I want something else.” Her bags were packed and she left.
Heartbroken, I struggled to balance work, housework, and my girls. In addition, my family wanted to know why my marriage burst like a bubble, and I couldn’t answer.
The girls continued asking when mommy will come home, shattering my world.
The worst part was that my wife departed before I could tell her I had cancer.
After a few weeks, I realized Melissa’s true motivation. Her financial consultant was the other man.
I saw images of them in 5-star restaurants and in Paris on his Instagram.
My wife left me and the kids to have fun while her girls left blank crayon drawings hoping she would return.
It hurt, especially for Sophie and Emily, who missed their mom.
We eventually accepted Melissa’s absence. I struggled to juggle my commitments with long, exhausting chemo sessions. My biggest fear was losing my girls’ father.
The following year was awful. I vomited and could barely stand after chemo. I shed hair and weight. But I persisted.
After many struggles, twelve rounds of chemo, and radiotherapies, I was cancer-free.
I met my wife at a gas station two years after she left us, which felt like poetic justice. Seeing her after so long was weird. Not believing my eyes. Melissa, are you? I inquired when I exited my car.
She appeared older and vulnerable, like her world had fallen.
Melissa initially avoided me, but then suggested we meet at the nearest park.
The confident woman who desired more than her husband and children was shattered. She urged her girls to return and regretted leaving.
“No, Melissa,” I insisted. “After their mother left, they were miserable for a long time. They finally moved on and are thriving.”
Marco, her new boyfriend, was a crook who left her broke.
I even felt sad for my wife who left me and the kids and her poor decisions, but her tears didn’t change my mind about not bringing her back.
I and my kids deserved better.
