Natasha Couldn’t Believe Her Husband Said “I Don’t Love You”—After Losing Her Father, Caring for Her…

I couldnt believe what was happening to me. My wife, the one person Id always trusted as my companion and support, said to me today, I dont love you anymore. The shock was so profound I found myself frozen in a ridiculous pose while she scurried about the house, packing her belongings and rattling her keys. This was the last thing I needed. Only recently, my father had died abruptly. Through my own grief, I was forced to take care of my grey-haired mother and my younger sisterafter a serious head injury at eighteen, she had become disabled. My family lived in a nearby town. My little son had just started Year One at primary school. The company I worked for closed down in June, leaving me unemployed. And now, thismy wife.

Raising my hands to my head, I sat at the kitchen table and wept bitterly.

Oh Lord, what do I do now? How do I go on? Oh, JamieI have to dash off and pick him up from school!

The necessity of daily responsibilities pushed me up and out the door.

Dad, youve been crying?

No, Jamie, I havent.

Are you sad about Grandad? Dad, I miss him so much.

I do too, lad. But we have to be strong. Our Grandad was always bravehes at peace now, with God, dont you worry. He deserves his rest; he never had a break in life.

Wheres Mum?

Mum? Shes probably gone off to work again. Hows school then?

We have to carry on. She doesnt love me anymore? Nothing I can do. You cant force love. Somewhere, in the rush and grind, I overlooked something.

As Jamie tucked into his lunch and fussed with his toy soldiers, I found myself drawn to the laptop my wife had left behind. Id never checked it before. Her email was easy enough to access, the icon in the left corner. She hadnt deleted her latest correspondence in time. She was head-over-heels in love. And II was now the unloved. For ten years Id been my bright sunshine, and after eight years fighting for a child, became our mum.

Now, everything had changed, and I needed to adjust. First off, I had to find a job. Nobody cared about my graduate degree. The petty unemployment allowance from the job centre barely made a dent in the bills.

What happened? How did my responsible, caring wife change overnight into someone else? All my ponderings came up with the same answer: shed simply lost her head. The home wed built, brick by brick, was unfinished. But at least we had a roof above us and one decent room to live in.

I need a job! I was on the verge of breaking down again, but I hadnt got the time. A job was a necessity.

A few days passed as I searched, but nothing turned up. Jamies early days in school and my new loneliness slashed my chances. On yet another fruitless evening, I got a call from my mate, Richard.

Tom, still no sign of her?

No.

How about a job in the warehouse?

You serious?

Yes, mate. Not joking after whats happened with Sophie. Theres breaks in the shiftyou could pick up Jamie or sort Afterschool Club. £1,500 a month. Not great, but better than nothing. Ill drop round potatoes, onions, and a chicken for you tomorrow.

Rich, Ive got my own chickens. They feed us and lay eggs.

Let them keep doing thatdont eat them then.

Thanks. Hows your Emma?

Shes coping. Shes a real trooper.

Thats always been Richard: his wife had a major operation and was undergoing chemo, but he never complained despite carrying the load. He always said, Everythings alright. I sighed. There was a chance to pull through. Thank God, Hes the only one you can count on.

The work in the warehouse was straightforward, and I had moments alone for thinking, for tears and reflection.

Weeks, then months, rolled by. After a year, I realised I could eat, sleep, and even laugh againespecially at Jamies victories. The wound of betrayal flared every time my ex-wife came to fetch Jamie for the weekend. I never stood in the way; our history shouldnt darken his life. Yet, I yearned to ask her what Id done wrong, though deep down I knewher heart had simply been stolen by another. That film line came back to me: Love lasts until the first turn, after that real life begins. For me, love and life were entwined. For her?

That autumn seemed to blend into summer: warm weather, green trees, childrens voices echoing outside, asters and chrysanthemums brightening the front garden. On the day I noticed Elaine watching me closely, there was really nothing remarkable about italthough the sunshine seemed a little brighter and the music from next door sounded a notch louder. Maybe fate just decided it was the time for two lost souls to meet.

You there, let me helpwhat are you doing carrying so much by yourself?

Im used to it.

Not good, seeing a lovely lady like you getting used to lugging heavy bags.

Do you help all the lovely ladies, hanging around the shop door on the off chance?

Absolutely! Been on lookout for ages, finally found the prettiest.

Impossible not to laugh. And we did, properly, until tears rolled.

Michael, he said, shaking my hand, while laughter still danced in his eyes.

Elaine.

Elaine, Elaine, another mans wife,ever heard that tune?

No, I havent. And Im not anyones wife.

Lucky me then! Met the girl of my dreams and shes single. Surely everyones lost their mind or gone blind.

Youve a sharp wit, thats good. But what about seriousness?

Thats all in order, Elaine. How about we catch a film tonight, chat afterwards?

Im afraid I cant, Michael. Ive got to pick up my son from Afterschool Club.

I dont believe it! Youve a son? You look about twentyno way youve got a child in Afterschool Club!

Im thirty-five.

So am I! What a coincidence. Honestly, I thought you were much younger.

And now?

NowIm just digesting it. Every guy dreams of having a son. And here you are, casually mentioning you have one. Wheres the boys dad?

Id rather not talk about it now, if thats alright.

Understood. Lets leave it. How about the weekend then? You could bring him along to a childrens screening.

He sees his father on weekends.

Look, Elaine, I dont want to pushif you ever get a free couple of hours, ring me. Heres my card. Actually, it says Im a doctora paediatric haematologist.

Theres nothing more serious than that.

And not much time for chasing pretty girls.

Well, Michael, I promise Ill call you.

Ill be waiting.

What a glorious autumn! It felt like a special gift just for us. Soft sunlight brought out the most beautiful colours in the leaves. Fine days opened up every park for our strolls. It was as if the tenderness between us melted away old pain, sweeping us into a golden whirl of falling leaves. We drew closer with such gentle care that, to my surprise, I felt drawn to this remarkable woman. Nearly six weeks from our first meeting, she shyly suggested, Would you like to come in for tea?

Elaine, you wont mind, but I cant come just yet. Everything happening between us nowI need to look after it myself. Do you trust me?

That weekend, we disappeared to the nature park, escaping to a lodge Michael had rented that looked like a quaint castle. Inside, it was tidy and homely, but all Elaine saw were the enormous brown eyes of her beloved, lost in his arms. She hadnt known that something so intimate could be so utterly sweet.

Michael, where am Iwhats happening to me? I feel like Im floating. I love you so much. How did I live without you? This is wonderful!

Youre incredible, Elaine! And Im the luckiest man alive.

A few months later, it got harder and harder to say goodbye.

Elaine, marry me.

Michael, my divorce goes through at the end of the month.

Then marry me right after! I wont risk someone else nabbing my girl.

Im my own womannot for every passer-by. I have my love now, Michael. Lets skip the fuss. Well just sign the papers and youll whisk me off to the lodge, where I became your wife from that first moment.

As you wish, my love. All as you say.

Richard and Emma were our only witnesses at the registry office. Mum and my sister sent a congratulatory telegram. Soon after, we moved into a two-bed flat Michael had rented, rolling up our sleeves and doing the redecorating together to create a warm, welcoming nest. Michael put extra thought into Jamies bedroom. The two had met before, but to Jamie, torn between Mum and Dad, engaging with Michael was slow going.

Elaine, dont be alarmed, but lets have Jamies blood tested. I dont like how pale hes looking.

Its nothing, Michael, just stress. The divorce was brutal for him; he kept hoping it would never happen. I read a psychologist saying divorce is even worse for a child than the death of a parent.

Youre right, wise woman. I went through my parents break-up as a childit felt like the world had collapsed. Still, lets do the blood tests, okay, champ?

That day, Michael walked into our place with his head low. I knew instantly something was wrong.

Elaine, dont panic. Jamies blood test isnt right. My gut told me, sadly, and its not good. Ill take him to work with me tomorrow.

It felt unfairlike I was paying for happiness with heartache. The diagnosis: leukaemia. The word alone terrified me.

Life changed overnight. I took unpaid leave from work; I couldnt imagine Jamie enduring endless needles and drips without me beside him. I held his hand constantly, encouraging, Stay strong, my boy! Youve always been my greatest friend. Weve never left each other, and we never will.

Whenever exhaustion overwhelmed me, Michael would send me off to get some sleep while he sat with Jamie. Often I just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

Then my ex-wife phoned, demanding we move out of the half-built house.

Ill look after Jamie myself. Hell come to my house from now on.

You ought to come and see him, I replied.

Cantaway on a business trip.

After putting down the phone, Michael squeezed my shoulder.

Elaine, well manage ourselves. Dont cling to whats gone.

Its hard, you know. I used to pull in good money, every penny put into that house. But is this the time to think about property? About being written out?

Dont fret. Put your thought into Jamie. Ill handle the finances. I always wanted a family. God knows that wellHe wont take you away from me.

How are the test results?

Were doing everything. So far, theyre not good.

I cried quietly, making sure Jamie didnt notice.

Dr Mike, whats up with my blood?

Well, Jamie, weve all got red and white ships inside us. Yours are having a battle.

Whos winning?

Right now, the whites.

What happens now?

Help the reds fight back.

Dad, can we go somewhere? Im so tired.

Elaine, I was just about to suggest that. Lets take Jamie to the lodge againthe weathers nice. We’ll walk through the woods and let him recuperate.

Spring adorned our retreat with colourful blooms and trees in flower. We wandered the forest, rejoicing in every blossom and blade of grass. Sometimes Jamie would go quiet, mind deep in thought.

Whats wrong, love? You hurting?

Shh, DadIm having a naval battle.

The little holiday flew by. Jamie looked better, even got his colour back.

Dad, is Mum coming back?

Shes working, son.

Again? Oh well.

Back at the hospital, blood samples were taken again. The head of the lab came in herself.

Dr Michael, where did you take your son?

Just nearby, to the nature reserve. Is everything alright?

Hes fine. Its good news. His blood is clear.

Michael bounded into the ward.

Jamie, what did you do to help yourself? Youre recovering, my boy! Dont cry, Elaine. Hes getting better. What did you do, son?

Remember, Dad, you said my blood has red and white ships? I won all the battles with the red ones.

—

Looking back, I see that life’s storms can wash away what you thought mattered, but gentle sunshine followseven if it takes a while. My lesson is simple: real strength isnt in never falling, but in getting back up, tending to those you love, and always believing that hope is just around the corner.