At 39 weeks pregnant, exhausted, and carrying the weight of my second child, I couldn’t believe what my husband Alan suggested at his own birthday dinner. Instead of helping me or putting our daughter to bed, he wanted me to leave so he could celebrate with friends. I quietly stood up, took our daughter’s hand, and walked out—no shouting, no arguing.
The dinner had been meant to be peaceful, but Alan’s disregard for my pregnancy, our unborn baby, and my exhaustion hit me hard. Grace, his mother, called him out on his selfishness, pointing out how little support I’d received throughout the pregnancy. Hearing someone finally voice what I’d been feeling for months made my eyes sting.
I left with Zoey, my four-year-old, while Alan stayed behind. On the way home, Zoey asked why everyone was upset, and I told her that sometimes adults make mistakes. Grace stayed with me afterward, reassuring me that I wouldn’t face this alone and that the baby and Zoey would always be loved.
Sitting quietly at home, feeling my baby move, I realized I was finally ready—to protect my children, to prioritize their well-being, and to choose a future where they never feel unwanted, no matter what Alan does. The baby will arrive soon, and with that, so will the decisions that will shape our lives.