“If you divorce, can you win custody?
Stepmothers and stepfathers… can you really
trust that for Lily?
“Even if you get custody, how will you
manage work and kids? We’re old; don’t
burden us.
وو
She pushed me to the brink.
Jeff and his parents made it clear they
wouldn’t give up custody.
Was I doomed to stay in this rotten marriage?
I refused to accept that.
11
<
Before marriage, I had a successful career.
Jeff and I were from the same school, equal
in education and ability.
If not for family and Lily, I’d be where Jeff
was, thriving in my career.
Now my sacrifices were used against me.
I had no income; I couldn’t win custody.
Jeff, after cheating, casually said, “I won’t do
it again,” and acted as if nothing happened.
My parents thought I was overreacting; Lily
knew nothing.
Only I suffered, losing twenty pounds in two
weeks.
When everyone thought I’d given in, I secretly
hired a lawyer and private investigator with
the help of my best friend, Chloe.
Over six months, we gathered evidence.
Jeff only stopped seeing Summer for the first
<
month.
Then, exploiting my lack of income, he used
every excuse to meet Summer.
First, he thought I didn’t know; then, he
thought I wouldn’t speak up.
My parents were on his side; I was a stay–at-
home mom with no income. How could I fight
back?
I’m grateful for Chloe. She didn’t tell me to
look the other way.
She didn’t urge me to divorce immediately,
but analyzed my best options.
A bad marriage should be ended. The cost is
high, but you have to let go.
There’s more life to live. You can’t live in pain,
watching yourself wither away.
After the lawyer confirmed the evidence was
sufficient, I asked Lily, “Honey, if Mommy and
Daddy split, who do you want to live with?”
く
She looked at me. “Mommy, I want to be with
you.”
“Why?”
“Grandma and Grandpa and your parents love
Daddy. You’re alone; if I’m with you, you
won’t be lonely.”
وو
I never expected that answer.
Tears streamed down my face.
Lily wiped my tears, trying to hug me.
“Mommy, tell me if you’re sad. I’ll tell you
stories.”
