When Lucy and Tom met in high school, it was love at first sight. They quickly became inseparable and got married a few years later, anticipating a blissful life together. However, their happiness was short-lived, as only two years into their marriage, Tom began to change.
Lucy couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause of Tom’s transformation, but she wondered if it had something to do with the birth of their daughter, Emma.
Despite Tom’s criticisms of Lucy, he was a loving father to Emma, which made her think that perhaps the changes were not related to their daughter.
Tom began criticizing Lucy’s appearance, saying, “You’ve let yourself go, Lucy. Always wearing those frumpy clothes. How do you expect to keep the spark alive like that?” He also questioned her parenting skills, despite her working from home and spending ample time with Emma.
“You’re always on that computer. Do you even give Emma enough attention? She’s always alone when I come home from work.”
Lucy tried her best to please Tom, but nothing she did seemed to satisfy him. As she watched their marriage crumble, she eventually decided to stop trying, realizing she couldn’t fix what was wrong in Tom’s mind.
One day, Tom announced he had a new job opportunity that required them to move. Since Emma was just starting first grade and Lucy’s job was flexible, she agreed, hoping the change might improve their marriage.
After the move, Emma was enrolled in a new school. However, Lucy soon noticed a change in her daughter. Emma began coming home upset and even cried in her room one day.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Lucy asked, concerned.
“I don’t want Mrs. Parker to be my mother! I want you to be my mother!” Emma cried.
Lucy was taken aback. Mrs. Parker was Emma’s teacher. “Why would she become your mother?” she asked gently.
With tears streaming down her face, Emma explained that she had overheard a conversation between Mrs. Parker and her father. “Yesterday, when Dad picked me up, Mrs. Parker told me to wait by the door while she talked to Dad. I didn’t hear everything, but she said she’d be a better mom to me. Dad laughed when she said that.”
A chill ran down Lucy’s spine. Tom was having an affair with Emma’s teacher.
That evening, after ensuring Emma was asleep, Lucy confronted Tom. “So, Mrs. Parker seems really good with Emma,” she began.
Tom’s eyes lit up. “Really? I knew Emma liked her…”
“Enough for Mrs. Parker to be her new mom?” Lucy asked coldly. “What’s going on, and don’t lie to me.”
Tom looked down, ashamed. He confessed that he had been seeing Mrs. Parker shortly after they moved. Moreover, back in their old town, he had been having an affair with another woman, whose increasing demands had prompted their relocation.
Lucy knew their marriage was over. She quickly transferred Emma to another school, wanting to protect her from the fallout of Tom’s infidelities.
Lucy filed for divorce and moved to a new house. Tom was allowed to visit Emma whenever he pleased, but the bond of trust between Lucy and Tom was irreparably broken.