My husband and I didn’t have the easiest start when it comes to relationships. He had an ex he couldn’t get rid of, while I was suffering through a bad breakup. But somehow we made it work, and yesterday was our 5th wedding anniversary.In anticipation of the celebration, I got dressed up in an outfit I knew he loved, and I decorated for the occasion with dimmed lights, candles and rose petals. And I cooked his favorite dinner. But hours ticked by without him. I thought he was busy at work and waited.
But eventually I just couldn’t anymore. I sent him a text asking if everything was okay because he never missed an anniversary before. But his response stunned me. “Busy, can’t make it tonight.” That’s all I got, no explanation or apology.Something about this felt off. His short response and lack of interest in something we’ve always loved celebrating together told me that there was more to this situation. So I tracked his car and followed him until he parked outside a small diner.
My heart was racing, and I was convinced that he was cheating on me. So I sat there, not sure if I was ready to learn the truth. But my husband didn’t come out with a mistress like I expected him to. He stayed in the diner for a good while.My curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked into the window, and that’s when I saw what was really going on. My husband was sitting inside with a very young woman. She looked like she was about 19 or 20. My stomach dropped at the sight.
But then he handed her a small gift bag. She opened it and immediately started crying. He comforted her, but not in a way a man would comfort his mistress. This was gentler and more professional in a way.Confused and hurt, I walked in, hoping he would give me some answers to the countless questions that had built up since he sent that message. Turns out the woman is his daughter. She was obviously born long before we even got together, but he never felt comfortable telling me about her because they didn’t have the best relationship.
He has secretly been supporting her for years, and it just so happens that her birthday is on the same day as our anniversary. And the truth is, I don’t know what hurt more, the fact that he lied to me or that he has to choose who he will spend this special day with.So Bright Side, what should I do? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust my husband again. But I also don’t want this girl to miss out on the opportunity to have a father. Do I leave him because of this? Or do I neglect our anniversary so she can have a birthday?
