Pregnancy is supposed to be a beautiful journey, a time of love and supportโat least, thatโs the idea if you have a partner whoโs there for you.
For me, it was anything but beautiful. Morning sickness dominated my days for months, but even worse was Arnieโmy husbandโthe man who once treated me like royalty, but now couldnโt even look at me without disdain.
Before the pregnancy, our relationship was solid. Arnie adored me, always showering me with affection and making me feel like the luckiest woman alive. When we decided to have a baby, he was over the moon, holding the positive test like it was the greatest treasure.
But once my body began changing, so did he. It started with small, cutting comments. โYou could at least try to dress up instead of wearing pajamas all day,โ heโd say, completely unaware that I had just spent hours throwing up.
Then came the complaints. โYou just lie around all day,โ he would grumble. โThis house is a mess.โ
I held my frustration in check. โArnie, I can barely stand without feeling dizzy. My back hurts so much.โ
But he ignored me. His patience wore thin. He began coming home late, glued to his phone, giving vague excuses about work when I asked him anything.
One night, eight months pregnant, I waited for him. My belly was enormous, my feet swollen, my body aching. When he finally walked in, the unmistakable scent of perfume that wasnโt mine hit my nostrils.
โWhere were you?โ I asked, my voice trembling.
He didnโt even look at me. โNone of your business.โ
Then he stormed into the kitchen and shouted, โJessica!โ
I flinched. Struggling to get up, I waddled toward him, each step a battle against my own body.
โWhat is it?โ I asked, breathless.
Arnie stood by the fridge, scowling. โWhereโs dinner?โ
I swallowed hard. โIโm feeling sick again. I tried, but the smell of food sends me straight to the bathroom.โ
He rolled his eyes. โAnd the dishes? Couldnโt even manage that?โ
My heart pounded as I grabbed the counter for support. โArnie, Iโm carrying our child. My body is working overtimeโโ
โDonโt start.โ His tone was harsh. โMy sister was pregnant. She did everything. She cooked. She cleaned. She never ignored her husband.โ
The words hit like a slap. Tears welled up in my eyes. โPregnancy isnโt the same for everyone. I never expected it to be this hard, but Iโm doing my best.โ
He scoffed. โYouโre just lazy.โ
And then, he left. Slamming the door behind him.
That night, I sat alone, tears streaming down my face. How had the man who once loved me become so cruel?
Hours later, I received a message from his mother: Heโs here. He needed space.
Relief mixed with pain. At least he wasnโt with another womanโat least not yet.
When he came back, he was colder than ever. Every look full of resentment. Every word sharp with bitterness.
โThis place is filthy.โ
โYou donโt even take care of yourself.โ
โYouโve really let yourself go.โ
The words cut deep, but I stayed quiet. I had nowhere else to go.
Then everything changed.
One evening, while Arnie was in the shower, his phone buzzed. My hands shook as I picked it up.
A dating app. Dozens of messages. Flirting. Meetings. Affairs.
My stomach churned, my breath catching in my throat. My hands instinctively cradled my belly. He had abandoned us long before this moment.
I knew I had to leave. But I needed a plan.
I stayed silent, gathering my strength. And just as I was about to give birth, Arnie walked inโwith another woman.
โWho is this?โ I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
He smirked, wrapping his arm around her. โThis is Stacy, my girlfriend.โ
My heart pounded. โWHAT?!โ
With calm, infuriating composure, he tossed a folder onto the table. โIโm leaving you. Here are the divorce papers.โ
My entire body went numb. โWhat about our child?โ I whispered.
He shrugged. โI donโt want you or the baby.โ
Tears blurred my vision. โHow could you be so cruel?โ
Arnie scoffed. โLook at you. You sit around all day, complaining. Stacy, on the other hand, is young, beautiful, andโmost importantlyโshe never says no to me.โ
Something inside me snapped. Without a second thought, I grabbed the pen and signed the papers.
Arnie smirked. โAt least I donโt look like you.โ
I glared. โIโll collect my things when youโre not home.โ
โDo it fast,โ he sneered. โSoon, this place wonโt be yours.โ
He thought he had won. He had no idea what was coming.
I gave birth to my daughter the same day our divorce was finalized. It felt like one chapter ended, and a new one began. Holding Riley in my arms, I felt stronger than I had in months.
For a while, I stayed with my mother, regaining my strength and reclaiming my confidence. Then one day, a knock at the door changed everything.
Stacy stood there, arms crossed. โItโs over,โ she said. โYour plan worked.โ
Relief flooded me. A slow smile spread across my face. โFinally.โ
Arnie, blinded by his own arrogance, had signed everything over to me without realizing it. The house, the accountsโeverything he once flaunted was now legally mine.
With Arnie out of the picture, Riley and I moved back home. Life was peaceful, finally.
Then, one evening, I heard shouting outside.
โStacy! Come back! I have nothing left!โ Arnieโs voice was full of desperation.
I stepped onto the porch, arms crossed. โPoor thing,โ I said with a smirk.
His eyes burned with rage. โWhat are YOU doing here?!โ
I chuckled. โDidnโt see this coming, did you? You fell right into my trap.โ
His face twisted in confusion. โWhat the hell are you talking about?!โ
I tilted my head. โAt some point, I got tired of your lies. So, I hired Stacy to seduce you. And you, being the fool you are, handed me everything on a silver platter.โ
His face turned crimson. โYou set me up?!โ
I shrugged. โNo, Arnie. Your own greed and stupidity did.โ
Desperation flickered in his eyes. โCome back to me. Iโll be better.โ
I didnโt even hesitate. โNo.โ
โYouโll never find anyone else!โ he snapped.
I smirked. โLook at meโIโm thriving, and youโre homeless. Iโll be just fine.โ
His shoulders slumped. โJessica, please.โ
Without another word, I turned and walked inside, locking the door behind me.
I picked up Riley and held her close. I had everything I needed.