My wife abandoned me with seven children to enjoy a luxurious life with my wealthy best friend. I never sought revenge, even when she returned ten years later. But when she screamed at our youngest daughter for standing up to her, I knew it was time to teach her a lesson she’d never forget.
I’m Daniel, 53, and I’ve spent the last ten years raising seven children alone.
I repaired furniture for a living. We weren’t wealthy, but our seven children had everything they needed.
My ex-wife Vanessa wanted more.
“That woman’s handbag costs more than our refrigerator,” she complained.
I’ve spent the last ten years raising seven children.
“Then let’s hope it keeps her groceries cold.”
“Everything’s a joke to you, Daniel.”
“Not everything.”
“Look at Rob. New car, expensive vacations. Why can’t we live like that?”
“Rob doesn’t have seven children.”
My ex-wife Vanessa wanted more.
“There’s always an excuse.”
Rob was my best friend. I’d even given him a spare house key.
I repaired broken furniture for a living, believing almost anything deserved a second chance.
I was wrong about some things.
***
Ten years ago, a canceled appointment brought me home early.
Rob doesn’t have seven children.
I heard voices upstairs.
When I opened our bedroom door, Vanessa and Rob were together.
“Daniel!” Rob jumped backward.
My ex-wife barely moved.
“How long?” I demanded.
I was wrong about some things.
“Don’t make a scene.”
“With my best friend? In our bedroom?”
“Maybe you should ask why I needed someone else.”
“Daniel, buddy…” Rob began.
“Don’t call me buddy.”
Vanessa and Rob were together.
Vanessa folded her arms. “I deserved a better life, Daniel. Rob understands what I want.
“What about our seven children? Sophie just turned two!”
“I’m tired of changing diapers while you barely pay the bills!”
She’d already traveled to the Maldives with Rob, pretending to visit her sister.
“So you’re leaving?”
I deserved a better life.
“Yes.”
“And the kids?”
“You’ll manage.”
As she packed, I tried once more.
“Sophie still sleeps holding your sweater.”
What about our seven children?
“Then give her another blanket.”
She wasn’t just leaving me. She was abandoning our children.
***
The first night, Sophie cried until sunrise.
“Daddy, where’s Mommy?”
“She’s not coming home tonight, sweetheart.”
You’ll manage.
“Tomorrow?”
I couldn’t answer.
Our oldest daughter, Rachel, was sixteen then. She found me sitting on the kitchen floor.
“Dad, are we going to be okay?”
“Absolutely.”
She was abandoning our children.
