**Diary Entry 12th May**
Six years Ive been with my wife. She has an eight-year-old daughter, just two when we met. Her father left months before she was born, then out of the blue, he turned up at our door in December while I was at work. The first time my stepdaughter saw him, he barely gave her a second glance.
Two weeks later, my wife announces theyve agreed on shared custody. Wouldnt tell me where the bloke lived, not even his number. She always drives the girl to school and clubs, collects her after.
Then, early January, my stepdaughter started dreading visits. Said his place was horrible, filthyshe couldnt sleep there. Told me outright, in front of her mum, she never wanted to go back. And then last Friday
My wife finished work at eight, meant to pick her up straight after. By nine, no sign of them. Phone went unanswered. Rang her sisters, her motherno one had a clue. Even went by her workplaceempty.
Just past two in the morning, they finally walk in. I was livid. My wife mutters, *”Sorry,”* all innocent-like, then spins this tale: Her phone died. She drove to her exs place, but no one was in. No way to ring him, so she waited. They showed up after nine with takeaway. The man claimed theyd walked to the shop and grabbed food on the way back. My wife went inside, let them finish eating. Says she dozed off on the sofa, woke at quarter to two, then raced home. *”Exhausted,”* she reckoned. *”Long day.”*
Finally, she gives me his addresssome dump by the roadside in a rough part of town. Took the girl there yesterday. Place was a hovel. Cockroaches everywhere, beer bottles strewn about. The man sat in his pants, staring blankly at the telly. Walked straight back out with my stepdaughter.
Tonight, I found out my wifes been giving him moneytopping up his phone from our household budget. Are they back together? At this point, Id bet theyve slept together.
Last night, I told her to leave. Made it clear the girl stays with meonly safe place shes got. I wont send her to that hellhole. Even her gran agrees shes better off with me. Legally, Im down as her guardian.
No choice, really. Well see how this plays out.
*Lesson learned: Trusts like glassonce shattered, youre left picking up the pieces.*
