Thrown out by my husbandyears later, I realised it was the best thing that could have happened.
When he kicked me out onto the street, I didnt want to live. It took years for me to understand it was the greatest blessing in disguise.
Id married for love and never imagined the trials ahead. After our daughter was born, I gained three stone, and from that moment, my life changed beyond recognition.
My husband began tormenting me, calling me a “cow” and a “pig,” as if I were no longer a woman. He constantly held up his friends wives as examples, saying they looked perfect while I, in his eyes, had turned into an animal.
His words cut deep. Later, I discovered his young mistress, whose existence he didnt even bother hiding. Hed talk to her openly on the phone, message her, while my daughter and I became invisible to him.
I cried myself to sleep, but there was no one to confide in. I was an orphan, with no family, and my friends had drifted away after the wedding. Feeling untouchable, he started raising his hand to me. Our daughters night-time crying set him offhed shout at me to quiet her, threatening to throw us out.
Ill never forget that day. He came home from work and ordered me out of the flat before I could protest. It was nearly midnight, snowing outside. With just one bag and my daughter in my arms, I stood in the courtyard, lost. He wouldnt even let me pack. As I tried to make sense of it, a taxi pulled uphis mistress stepped out with a suitcase and walked straight into our home. All I had in my pocket was a few crumpled notes.
My only option was the hospital where Id once worked. By chance, a nurse I knew was on duty. She let us stay the night, giving us shelter.
The next morning, I pawned my mothers cross necklacemy only keepsakealong with the earrings hed given me before the wedding, and my ring. I found an advert from an elderly woman, Granny Mabel, renting a room on the citys outskirts. She became family. Watching my daughter so I could work, she gave me the chance to rebuild.
With no qualifications, I took a job as a packer at a meat factory and scrubbed stairwells at night. Later, I met a woman whose homes I cleaned. She offered me an office job at her company with decent pay. Thanks to her, I went to university, graduated, and became a solicitor.
Now, my daughters at Oxford, we own a three-bed flat in London, a car, and holiday abroad several times a year. My law practice thrives, and Im grateful fate had my husband cast me outotherwise, Id never have achieved this.
Recently, my daughter and I decided to buy land outside London for a holiday home. We found the perfect spot. Imagine my shock when the door opened, and there stood my ex-husband, his same mistressnow plumpbehind him. Every bitter word rose in my throat, but I just stared into his eyes. Before me stood a bloated, drunken man, drowning in debt. Thats why they were selling. After a heavy silence, I called my daughter, and we drove away.
Granny Mabels still part of our liveswe visit often, bring gifts, help where we can. Ill never forget her kindness when I needed it most. And Catherine, my employer? I owe her everything. She gave me the chance to believe in myselfand to succeed.
