Pregnancy is supposed to be a beautiful journey, a time of love and support—at least, that’s the idea if you have a partner who’s there for you.
For me, it was anything but beautiful. Morning sickness dominated my days for months, but even worse was Arnie—my husband—the man who once treated me like royalty, but now couldn’t even look at me without disdain.
Before the pregnancy, our relationship was solid. Arnie adored me, always showering me with affection and making me feel like the luckiest woman alive. When we decided to have a baby, he was over the moon, holding the positive test like it was the greatest treasure.
But once my body began changing, so did he. It started with small, cutting comments. “You could at least try to dress up instead of wearing pajamas all day,” he’d say, completely unaware that I had just spent hours throwing up.
Then came the complaints. “You just lie around all day,” he would grumble. “This house is a mess.”
I held my frustration in check. “Arnie, I can barely stand without feeling dizzy. My back hurts so much.”
But he ignored me. His patience wore thin. He began coming home late, glued to his phone, giving vague excuses about work when I asked him anything.
One night, eight months pregnant, I waited for him. My belly was enormous, my feet swollen, my body aching. When he finally walked in, the unmistakable scent of perfume that wasn’t mine hit my nostrils.
“Where were you?” I asked, my voice trembling.
He didn’t even look at me. “None of your business.”
Then he stormed into the kitchen and shouted, “Jessica!”
I flinched. Struggling to get up, I waddled toward him, each step a battle against my own body.
“What is it?” I asked, breathless.
Arnie stood by the fridge, scowling. “Where’s dinner?”
I swallowed hard. “I’m feeling sick again. I tried, but the smell of food sends me straight to the bathroom.”
He rolled his eyes. “And the dishes? Couldn’t even manage that?”
My heart pounded as I grabbed the counter for support. “Arnie, I’m carrying our child. My body is working overtime—”
“Don’t start.” His tone was harsh. “My sister was pregnant. She did everything. She cooked. She cleaned. She never ignored her husband.”
The words hit like a slap. Tears welled up in my eyes. “Pregnancy isn’t the same for everyone. I never expected it to be this hard, but I’m doing my best.”
He scoffed. “You’re just lazy.”
And then, he left. Slamming the door behind him.
That night, I sat alone, tears streaming down my face. How had the man who once loved me become so cruel?
Hours later, I received a message from his mother: He’s here. He needed space.
Relief mixed with pain. At least he wasn’t with another woman—at least not yet.
When he came back, he was colder than ever. Every look full of resentment. Every word sharp with bitterness.
“This place is filthy.”
“You don’t even take care of yourself.”
“You’ve really let yourself go.”
The words cut deep, but I stayed quiet. I had nowhere else to go.
Then everything changed.
One evening, while Arnie was in the shower, his phone buzzed. My hands shook as I picked it up.
A dating app. Dozens of messages. Flirting. Meetings. Affairs.
My stomach churned, my breath catching in my throat. My hands instinctively cradled my belly. He had abandoned us long before this moment.
I knew I had to leave. But I needed a plan.
I stayed silent, gathering my strength. And just as I was about to give birth, Arnie walked in—with another woman.
“Who is this?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
He smirked, wrapping his arm around her. “This is Stacy, my girlfriend.”
My heart pounded. “WHAT?!”
With calm, infuriating composure, he tossed a folder onto the table. “I’m leaving you. Here are the divorce papers.”
My entire body went numb. “What about our child?” I whispered.
He shrugged. “I don’t want you or the baby.”
Tears blurred my vision. “How could you be so cruel?”
Arnie scoffed. “Look at you. You sit around all day, complaining. Stacy, on the other hand, is young, beautiful, and—most importantly—she never says no to me.”
Something inside me snapped. Without a second thought, I grabbed the pen and signed the papers.
Arnie smirked. “At least I don’t look like you.”
I glared. “I’ll collect my things when you’re not home.”
“Do it fast,” he sneered. “Soon, this place won’t be yours.”
He thought he had won. He had no idea what was coming.
I gave birth to my daughter the same day our divorce was finalized. It felt like one chapter ended, and a new one began. Holding Riley in my arms, I felt stronger than I had in months.
For a while, I stayed with my mother, regaining my strength and reclaiming my confidence. Then one day, a knock at the door changed everything.
Stacy stood there, arms crossed. “It’s over,” she said. “Your plan worked.”
Relief flooded me. A slow smile spread across my face. “Finally.”
Arnie, blinded by his own arrogance, had signed everything over to me without realizing it. The house, the accounts—everything he once flaunted was now legally mine.
With Arnie out of the picture, Riley and I moved back home. Life was peaceful, finally.
Then, one evening, I heard shouting outside.
“Stacy! Come back! I have nothing left!” Arnie’s voice was full of desperation.
I stepped onto the porch, arms crossed. “Poor thing,” I said with a smirk.
His eyes burned with rage. “What are YOU doing here?!”
I chuckled. “Didn’t see this coming, did you? You fell right into my trap.”
His face twisted in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?!”
I tilted my head. “At some point, I got tired of your lies. So, I hired Stacy to seduce you. And you, being the fool you are, handed me everything on a silver platter.”
His face turned crimson. “You set me up?!”
I shrugged. “No, Arnie. Your own greed and stupidity did.”
Desperation flickered in his eyes. “Come back to me. I’ll be better.”
I didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
“You’ll never find anyone else!” he snapped.
I smirked. “Look at me—I’m thriving, and you’re homeless. I’ll be just fine.”
His shoulders slumped. “Jessica, please.”
Without another word, I turned and walked inside, locking the door behind me.
I picked up Riley and held her close. I had everything I needed.