“Like a Leech, You Are”
“Listen, why are you clinging to me? Im working, alright? Im doing this for the family! Whats with the stupid questions? Where else would I be but at work? Youre the one whos useless, sitting on my back, living off me!”
…Lara married Edward three years ago. Hed pursued her relentlessly, doing anything to win her over. Once, he even climbed a tree in front of all their friends and declared hed do anything for her.
Now, those memories made Lara sick. She never imagined that just a year and a half into their marriage, everything would change. Edward had stopped seeing her as a womanjust a housekeeper, a cook, a shoulder to cry on. The wife hed once adored was gone. No more little gifts, no birthday wishes. When she asked what was wrong, hed just shrug and say, “Everythings fine.”
After their son was born, it got worse. While Lara was still in hospital, Edward moved her things into the nursery. When she stared at him in disbelief, he just shrugged.
“Whats the problem? As a mother, you should be with the baby. Im the only one workingI need proper rest. Its simple, Lara. The babys up all night crying. Should I go to work exhausted? This is how its going to be.”
Lately, Lara couldnt shake the feeling she wasnt the only woman in Edwards life. Hed always worked late, but now he came home angry. If she dared ask where hed been, hed snap:
“God, youre like a leech! Im working, arent I? Who else is paying the bills? You just sit there, doing nothing!”
Shed feel guilty. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe he was just tired. But then shed notice little thingshis phone always face-down, the way he flinched when she touched him.
One morning, she woke to silence. Edward had left without a word. They hadnt shared a breakfast in months. Their marriage, once solid, was crumbling like a house of cards.
Lara sighed, picked up her phone, and called him. After several rings, his cold voice cut in.
“What? Im busy!”
“I just wanted to wish you a good day. You left so early…”
Edward scoffed. “You called me for *that*? Ive got meetings, Lara. Stop acting like a leech!”
He hung up. Lara swallowed her tears. The baby would wake soonshe had to pull herself together.
In the bathroom mirror, her reflection stared backpale, tired, her hair a mess.
*Look at you. Whod want you now?*
She washed her face, then slipped into the bedroom for fresh sheets. Something was missing from the shelf. It took her a moment to realisethe box of condoms shed bought for their anniversary was gone.
“Did he move them?” she muttered. “Why?”
Later, after feeding the baby, she called Edward again.
“Ed, we need to talk.”
“Not now,” he snapped.
“Please. You never look at me anymore. You dont care how I feel”
“Oh, here we go!” he groaned. “Look, youve let yourself go. Your hairs a mess, your clothes are frumpy. And youve stopped cooking properly. Last weeks dinner was *salty*.”
Laras hands shook. “Im with the baby all day! When do I have time”
“Excuses. Justdont call me again.”
That evening, she dressed up, put on a smile. But when Edward saw her, he sneered.
“Whats this? You look ridiculous! That dress makes your legs look awful. Change.”
Something in Lara snapped. She slapped him, then locked herself in the bathroom, scrubbing off her makeup until her face burned.
Later, she confronted him. “Wheres the box from the wardrobe?”
Edward froze. “What box?”
“The condoms, Ed. I bought them for our anniversary.”
His face twisted. “Are you *accusing* me of something?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, he laughed. “Fine. I took them. And while were at itIm leaving. Ive been seeing someone else.”
Laras chest tightened. “How long?”
“Months. Before the baby. You were insufferablealways whining, wanting cuddles… I stayed for our son, but God, you *repel* me.”
Lara clenched her fists. “Whats so special about *her*?”
Edward smirked. “She cant have children.”
Lara walked out. No tears, no painjust relief. She sat by her sons cot, stroking his cheek.
*Well be fine.*
…Edward left quietly. He paid child support, saw his son rarely. Lara didnt mind. She remembered his words*leech, frumpy, ridiculous*and knew she was better off without him.
Sometimes, the person who claims to love you is the one who hurts you most. And sometimes, walking away is the bravest thing you can do.
