З життя
Ex-Husband Offers Son an Apartment on One Condition: He Must Marry Me Again!
Oh, Ive got this story to sharebit of a rollercoaster, honestly. So, Im 60 now, living in Cambridge. Never thought the past would barge back in like this, especially after twenty years of silence. And the worst part? It all started with my own son.
Back when I was 25, I was head over heels for this bloke, Williamtall, charming, funny, the whole package. We married quickly, and a year later, our son Oliver came along. Those early years? Proper fairy tale. We lived in a tiny flat, dreaming bigme as a teacher, him an engineer. Felt like nothing could shake us.
Then, bit by bit, William changed. Started coming home late, lying, disappearing. I ignored the rumours, looked the other way when I caught whiffs of strange perfumes. But eventually, it was obvioushe was cheating. Not just once. Friends, neighbours, even my parents knew. I held on, for Olivers sake. Hoped hed snap out of it. One night, I woke up realising he hadnt come home, and that was itI was done.
Packed my things, took Oliverjust five thenby the hand, and moved in with my mum. William didnt even try to stop us. A month later, he was off abroad, for work. Soon enough, he found another woman and acted like we never existed. No calls, no letters. Just silence. And there I was, on my own. Lost my mum, then my dad. Oliver and I got through it allschool, extracurriculars, illnesses, graduations. Worked three jobs so hed want for nothing. Put my life on hold. He was everything.
When Oliver got into uni in London, I helped however I couldcare packages, money, emotional support. But buying him a flat? Couldnt swing that. He never complained, said hed figure it out. Made me so proud.
Then, a month ago, he dropped a bombshell: hes getting married. My joy didnt last. He was fidgety, avoiding my eyes. Then it all spilled out:
Mum I need your help. Its about Dad.
Froze right there. He said hed been back in touch with William, whod returned to England and offered him the keys to a two-bed flatinherited from his grandmother. But there was a catch. I had to marry William again. Let him move into *my* flat.
Couldnt breathe. Stared at my son, waiting for the punchline. He kept going:
Youre alone Youve no one. Why not try again? For me. For my future family. Dads changed.
Walked to the kitchen in silence. Kettle on, tea, hands shaking. Everything blurred. Twenty years I carried us. Twenty years he couldnt be bothered. And now he waltzes back with an offer.
Went back and said it calmly:
No. I wont do it.
Oliver lost it. Shouting, accusingsaid Id always put myself first, that *I* robbed him of a father, that I was ruining his life *again*. I just stood there. Every word cut like a knife. He didnt know the nights I cried from exhaustion, how I sold my wedding ring to buy him a winter coat, how I skipped meals so he could have meat.
Im not lonely. Lifes been hard, but honest. Got my job, my books, my garden, my mates. Dont need some man who betrayed me once, coming back for comfort, not love.
Oliver left without a goodbye. Havent heard from him since. Hes hurtI get that. He wants whats best for him, like I once did. But I wont sell my dignity for square footage. Price is too high.
Maybe hell understand one day. Might take time. But Ill wait. Because I love him. Proper loveno conditions, no flats, no ifs. Brought him into the world with love. Raised him with it. And I wont let love turn into some transaction now.
As for William? He can stay in the past. Right where he belongs.
