Because I was the one who left my family for another man, causing our marriage to break down, David decided I owed him for breaking his heart. He refused to let me take our son, and my son wanted to stay with his father rather than with me. As much as it pained me, I couldnt convince him or simply take him with me against his will. We reached an agreement quicklyDavid and our son let me go, and in exchange, I sent money to them once or twice a month. At that time, my ex-husband was working and earning, but once he realised I was well off and my new partner also contributed to ensure my son had everything he wanted, David quit his job and began living entirely off what we sent.
As my son grew up, his father spoilt him terriblytakeaway meals, missing school whenever he pleased, holidays away, expensive household gadgets. Gradually, my son picked up a rather dismissive attitude and grew more distant, hardly wanting to see me at all. No matter what I did for him or bought him, Dad would always do it bigger or betterthough, of course, with the money I provided. Even at eleven, my son never stopped to wonder how his dad managed to be so well off when he was always at home.
My current husband suggested perhaps I was giving them too much. We started thinking about our sons futurehis university years aheadand realised it made more sense to begin saving for that, rather than letting my ex-husband waste everything on pointless whims. I met David face to face to explain my decision, telling him that Id supported them long enough, that now it was his turn to take over the expenses while I looked after our sons future. He responded with the usual, accusing me of being a terrible mother and wife, even threatening to take me to court for maintenance, insisting I was never really paying them anything.
I consulted with solicitors who told me not to be intimidated by his threats or give them a second thoughtafter all, he hadnt worked in years and had been living off my support. Still, I cant help but feel Im the one losing out. My son resents me more and more, thinking now that I dont want to help his father, and the distance between us just keeps growing.
