Leaving My Wife to Find the Best Version of MyselfChapter 1

When my wife, Karen Sheldrick, was three months pregnant, we discovered that the child had congenital issues and was at risk of premature birth. I discussed the procedures for protecting the pregnancy with her, but she was indifferent. While talking on the phone with her childhood friend, she impatiently said to me, "I have plans to go shopping. You talk to the doctor yourself."

Five minutes later, a friend suddenly sent me a screenshot of Karen’s social media post. In the picture, she and her childhood friend were holding hands and they were wearing matching rings.

[I spent a long time choosing this gift for a silly little one.]

As I looked at my own empty social media feed, I finally realized that she had blocked me. This time, I didn’t question her, didn’t ask for explanations and didn’t confront her. I finally understood that when some people stop loving you, nothing matters to them anymore.

——

I listened to the doctor’s words alone in the hospital. The doctor asked, “Why did the child’s mother leave early? She really should be hospitalized for treatment now.”

I replied, “She’s busy.”

“Tsk. Another career woman. What could be more important than her child? The baby might not even survive,” the doctor muttered.

I had no response. Karen had always disliked me interfering in her personal life, so to avoid her disliking me, I gave her as much freedom as possible. In our three years of marriage, I lived cautiously, not daring to bother her at all.

But looking back now, I found it laughable. Was there anything about our relationship that resembled a marriage?

After completing all the tests, it was already 6 p.m., right during rush hour. Karen had taken the car and it was difficult to get a taxi from the hospital. So I could only sit on a bench and wait.

I waited and waited, but no cars were available. With one last shred of hope, I called Karen. The phone connected quickly, but before I could say anything, she immediately started accusing me, “It’s after 6 p.m.! Why aren’t you home yet? I’m pregnant and you’re still not back to cook for me?”

I calmly replied, “I’m at the hospital. I just finished discussing your prenatal checkup with the doctor.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. Clearly, she was having fun with her childhood friend and had completely forgotten the doctor’s advice.