**The Unraveling of Ties: A Family’s End**
*Diary Entry*
*It happens like this, Eleanor,* Oliver shrugged, as if discussing the weather. *I’m leaving. It’s that simple.*
His indifferent tone cut through my heart like a knife. He was already packing in the bedroom, methodically folding shirts, as if he wasn’t tearing our family apart but merely preparing for a business trip. I stood frozen in the doorway, unable to move.
*You have to understand—it’s not you. I just… fell out of love. It’s on me, Ellie.*
I nodded, but inside, a storm raged. I didn’t blame myself—I’d been a good wife, a devoted mother to our six-year-old son, Daniel. When Daniel turned three, I’d gone back to work so I wouldn’t feel like a burden. At thirty-three, I kept myself fit—trim figure, well-styled hair, glowing skin. I did everything to make our family happy. If Oliver had fallen out of love with me, that was his problem—not mine.
*I’m just tired,* he went on, stuffing socks into the side of his suitcase. *Married life… it’s not for me.*
*And it took you ten years to realise that?* My voice trembled with restrained fury.
*Maybe I didn’t have the courage to say it sooner.*
*What changed now?* I narrowed my eyes, sensing the truth creeping closer.
He hesitated, looking away. And in that moment, I knew—my worst fear was confirmed.
*How long has there been someone else?* My voice turned icy.
*She’s not just some fling, Ellie,* he snapped. *She’s the woman I love. I can’t help how I feel—I want to be with her.*
*How long?* I asked flatly.
*Does it matter?* He waved a hand irritably. *You’ve cooled off too, don’t pretend you haven’t!*
*Me?* I choked on my indignation.
Oliver paused, sat on the edge of the bed, and looked at me.
*Yes, you. Another woman would have screamed, cried, begged me to stay. But you? You just stand there like a statue.*
I remembered earlier that evening—after dinner, of course, waiting until he’d eaten my roast before dropping this bombshell—when he’d announced he wanted a divorce. At first, I thought he was joking—I even let out a laugh. But the words *”I don’t love you anymore, Ellie. I’m leaving”* lodged in my soul like shards of glass. And I realised—fighting was pointless.
*If you hadn’t admitted there’s someone else, I would have tried,* I said quietly. *We would have talked, figured out what went wrong. Maybe gone away somewhere to fix it. But you said you don’t love me. Why should I cling to emptiness?*
*I get it,* he nodded. *We’ll have to explain it to Dan.*
*Is that… it?* This time, I was the one surprised. I waited for some reaction, but he was cold as ice.
*What else is there?* He shrugged and turned back to packing.
*Will you tell Daniel yourself that you’re leaving us?* I asked, struggling to keep my composure.
*Ellie, don’t start,* he winced. *I’m not abandoning him. I’ll always be his father. I’ll help financially, take him when needed. Everything stays the same—I just won’t be your husband.*
*We’ll see,* I murmured, lowering my head. Tears threatened, but I refused to cry in front of him. I left the room, locked myself in the bathroom, and let my grief spill out.
Oliver left. We told Daniel that Mum and Dad wouldn’t live together anymore, but Dad still loved him and always would. The little boy cried, but nodded—trusting us.
The silence of the empty house was crushing. Oliver and I had been together since we were eighteen—married for ten years. A whole lifetime. I couldn’t imagine myself without him. He was my first and only.
But time heals. Slowly, I learned to live again. At first, Oliver kept his word—picking Daniel up from school, taking him on weekends, sending money—more than the required maintenance. I didn’t demand official payments, trusting him.
But six months later, everything changed. He saw Daniel less, claiming he was busy. I knew why—he was wrapped up in his new love, and our son became an afterthought. The money still arrived, but the enthusiasm was gone.
Then one day, he called, accusing:
*Don’t you think it’s a bit soon to have men over?*
I was stunned.
*Excuse me—since when is that your concern?*
*It is when my son lives there! I won’t have random men around him!*
I almost laughed—the hypocrisy was absurd.
*What’s so funny?*
*You’re living with your new woman! Do you think Dan doesn’t see you with another woman?*
*That’s different!*
*No, it’s your life now. And guess what? I’m allowed one too.*
He muttered something and hung up.
It didn’t end there. Daniel was supposed to spend the weekend with Oliver while I had plans with James, my new partner, for a countryside trip. But a day before, Oliver called again:
*I can’t take Dan.*
*What? We agreed! I’ve made plans!*
*Oh, I know what those plans are!* he snarled. *Off with your new bloke, are you?*
I gripped the phone, resisting the urge to shout.
*I’ve never once questioned your life, Oliver. Not once. So why do you think you have the right to judge mine? Yes, I’m going away with James. So what?*
*Nothing. But I’m not taking him.*
*You’re acting like a dog in the manger,* I shot back. *Did you really think I’d pine forever? Newsflash—you’re not the centre of the universe!*
*You couldn’t wait for me to leave, could you?* he lashed out. *Jumping into bed with the first man you saw!*
*You left. Not me. And I wasn’t the one who cheated!*
*Judging by how quick you replaced me, you weren’t exactly faithful either!*
I hung up. The conversation was pointless. I didn’t understand why he was like this. Maybe it stung that I was happy without him. He *wanted* me broken, dependent. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
He didn’t take Daniel, despite our son’s tears. Luckily, my sister stepped in.
The next payment was shockingly low—barely the legal minimum. I called him.
*What’s this? If you’re struggling, just say so.*
*You’ve got a man now—why should I support you?*
*Not me—your son. And it’s not support, it’s shared responsibility.*
*So you can waste my money on yourself? Nice try.*
*Funny—didn’t you swear nothing would change for Dan?*
*That was before you found yourself a boyfriend.*
*So you *did* expect me to stay alone forever?*
*Not forever. But you moved on pretty damn fast.*
I gave up arguing. He *hated* that I was happy. He wanted me weak, shattered. But I wouldn’t crumble for him.
I hired a solicitor and filed for proper maintenance. Oliver was furious—calling, insulting me, demanding receipts. Then he threatened to take Daniel.
*Go ahead,* I said calmly. *I wouldn’t mind being a weekend mum.*
He fell silent. Of course, it was an empty threat—his new woman wouldn’t welcome a child.
After that, we barely spoke. I ignored his provocations, only discussing Daniel. I never asked for favours, but I didn’t stop him seeing our son either. He had nothing to twist against me.
A year later, Oliver’s relationship ended. He even tried coming back. But I was happy with James. And even if I hadn’t been—I’d never have taken him back. The man I thought I knew was gone. All that remained was a stranger.