Kicked out by my husbandyears later, I realised it was the best thing that could have happened.
When my husband threw me out onto the street, I didnt want to live. Only years later did I understand it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I married for love and never imagined the trials ahead. After our daughter was born, I gained seventeen kilos, and from that moment, my life changed beyond recognition.
My husband became cruel, calling me a “cow” and a “pig,” refusing to see me as a woman. He constantly compared me to his friends wives, saying they looked perfect while I had, in his words, turned into an animal.
His words cut deep. Later, I discovered his young mistress, whose existence he no longer bothered hiding. He spoke openly to her on the phone, sent messages, while my daughter and I became invisible to him.
At night, I cried, but there was no one to confide in. I was an orphan, with no family, and my friends had drifted away after the wedding. My husband felt untouchable, and soon, he raised his hand to me. Hed snap if our daughter cried at night, shouting at me to quiet her, threatening to throw us out.
Ill never forget that day. He came home from work and told me to get out. It was nearly midnight, snowing outside. With just one bag and my daughter in my arms, I stood in the yard, lost. He wouldnt even let me pack. As I tried to understand, a taxi pulled uphis mistress stepped out with a suitcase and walked into our flat. All I had were a few crumpled notes in my pocket.
The only place I could think of was the hospital where Id once worked. By chance, a nurse I knew was on duty. She let us in, and we spent the night there.
The next morning, I went to a pawnshop and sold my mothers cross necklacemy only keepsakealong with the earrings my husband had given me before we married, and my wedding ring. I found an ad from an elderly woman, Granny Edith, renting a room on the outskirts of town. She became family. With her watching my daughter, I found work.
Without qualifications, I took shifts packing meat at a factory and scrubbing stairwells at night. Then I met a woman whose house I cleaned. She offered me a job as an administrator at her firm, with decent pay. Thanks to her, I went to uni, graduated, and became a solicitor.
Now my daughter studies at university. We have a three-bed flat in London, a car, and take holidays abroad several times a year. My law practice thrives, and Im grateful fate had my husband throw me out. Otherwise, Id never have achieved so much.
Recently, my daughter and I decided to buy a plot outside London to build a holiday home. We found the perfect spotthen the door opened, and there stood my ex-husband, his mistress (now plump) behind him. I wanted to say everything Id held back for years, but I just stared into his eyes. Before me stood a drunk, paunchy man drowning in debtthats why they were selling. After a silent moment, I called my daughter, and we drove away.
Granny Edith is still part of our lives. We visit often, bring gifts, help where we can. Ill never forget how she reached out when I needed it most. And Ill always remember Katherine, my employershe gave me the chance to believe in myself and succeed.
