**Diary Entry 12th September**
*I cant live with your son anymoretell him that.* Thats what I told his mother, Margaret, this morning. Her response? A sneer. *Who else will take you with a child? I dont see a queue of princes waiting at your door.*
I packed my daughters things methodicallySophies warm jumper, her shoes. My own bag was already ready. Just the essentials. The rest could wait.
Last night was the final straw. Id made my decision somewhere between midnight and dawn. Oliver and I were done.
I heard him stumble in, saw him peer into the bedroom, then push open Sophies door. I pretended to sleep. This morning, before work, he hovered outside her room, shuffling his feettoo cowardly to face me. Hed save it for the evening.
But there wont *be* an evening. In half an hour, Ill call a taxi and leave with Sophie.
Id grown used to him coming home drunk on Fridays. But yesterday was *Wednesday*. Worse, Id asked him to come home early to watch Sophie while I met my friend Emilyshed promised to help me find remote work. Seeing him like that, I couldnt leave our daughter with him. I called Emily to reschedule.
Oliver didnt like that. *Who are you calling? What meeting?* He cornered me, slurring.
*Emily. We were supposed to meet, but I cant leave Sophie with you like this.*
*Why the hell not?*
*Look at yourself. Go sleep it offyouve work tomorrow.* I turned toward the kitchen.
*Stop!* He grabbed my arm. *Whats wrong with how I am? Had a few with the ladsits Daves birthday! Princess, arent you? Ill come home how I like!*
I wrenched free. *Youre hurting me! Have you lost your mind?!* He staggered, almost fell.
*Oh, thats how it is!* His fist connected with my face before either of us realised.
He looked stunned. I didnt give him time to speakjust walked away, clutching my cheek. *Princess!* he shouted again before slamming the door.
His mother had called me that from the start. *Twenty-one and still leaching off her parents? Studying? At her age, I already had one child and another on the way! A husband, a home, responsibilitiesbut no, shes too good for that. Youll regret this, Oliver. Pick a simpler girl.*
My parents hadnt been thrilled either. *Slow down, Lucy. Olivers not the last man on earth! Live together if you must, but thinkcan you stand him for life? Look at his family first.*
I hadnt listened. Six months in, I knew Id made a mistake. But pride kept me thereand then, Sophie.
Oliver never changed. The house, the baby*my* problems. My exhaustion, Sophies teethingno excuse if dinner wasnt ready. *Other women manage!* hed snap. *Youve all dayhow cant you shop or cook?*
*Sophies fussyI cant cook while holding her. Order takeaway. Or hold her yourself if you want dinner.*
The rose-tinted glasses shattered long ago. Mum had been rightI shouldve looked closer at his family.
Id almost left before. Hed promise to change, and Id believe him. But last night, when he raised his hand, I knew I was done.
Yes, facing my parents is humiliating. But staying with a man who hits me? Unthinkable. And I wont let Sophie grow up in that shadow.
Mum saw the taxi pull up. *Richard, Lucys herewith bags.*
When I stepped inside and removed my sunglasses, they froze. My left eye was swollen, bruised.
*Oliver did this?!* Mum gasped.
I nodded.
*Ill kill him,* Dad growled, reaching for his coat.
*No. Ill punish him my way. Just help me get Sophies things.*
Dad and Uncle James fetched our belongings while Dad took me to A&E. *If you press charges, youll need a forensic report,* Uncle explained. *Well book an appointment tomorrow.*
Oliver came home with flowers and a teddy. But the flat was emptyno clothes, no cot.
He called. My phone was off. Then he rang Mum. *Yes, Lucys here. Dont show your faceDads fists are itching. Shell file for divorce herself.*
He tried calling. Loomed outside Dads house. I ignored him. If I took Sophie out, we stayed in the garden.
A week later, the divorce papers arrived. Then came Margaret, his mother, at the gate.
*Mum, I wont speak to her.*
*We should settle this,* Mum said. *Not insideSophies napping.*
*Divorcing over a slap?* Margaret scoffed. *He came home tipsyyou shouldve waited, not picked a fight!*
*He hit me.*
*You provoked him! Now youll leave him? Make Sophie fatherless?*
*I wont live with your son. Tell him that.*
*Wholl want you with a child? No princes lining up here.*
*Ill manage. I dont want his flat. But Ill take him to court for child support.*
And I did. The divorce was swiftthe medical report sealed it. Maintenance for Sophie, plus £400 a month for me until she turned three.
Five years later, Sophie stood in her schools lineup for her first day. My parents were there. So was I.
*Will Daddy come?* she asked.
*Hell be here. He just texted.* I waved at a tall man scanning the crowd.
But it wasnt Oliver. Three years ago, I married Daniela colleague. Now, were expecting another.
Olivers still alone. There were women he liked, some who liked him. But whenever things turned serious, someone always mentioned *why* his first wife left.
Small towns talk. And Oliver earned a nickname: *Punch-drunk Prince.*
Maybe one day, a woman wont care. But so far? Karmas a funny thing. Even if not everyone believes in it.
