We went to the City Hall, signed the papers, and that was that. No party, no announcements, just a quiet marriage no one else knew about.
But I was naïve. I had no idea this was the beginning of a resentment that would last for years.
What I didn’t know at the time was that long before we got married, Michael had wanted to be with someone else—Alison, my childhood best friend.
I would never forget that one night, years into our marriage, when he came home drunk and let it all slip.
“You’re just an obstacle,” he slurred, his words like knives. “An obstacle in my life, in my relationship with Alison. If it wasn’t for you and your mom, I’d be married to her by now.”
It felt like my heart shattered in that moment, but it wasn’t the first time Michael had broken it, and it wouldn’t be the last.
Over the years, I watched him choose Alison over me and Lily, time and time again. Missed birthdays, family dinners, important milestones—he was never there. Lily, bless her, always tried so hard to be the perfect daughter, hoping one day he would finally love her the way she deserved.
Every time she asked where her dad was, I’d give the same excuse, “He’s busy with work, sweetie.”