Jane’s mother’s story

I KNOW my daughter questions my decision to stay with a cheating husband. I question myself too.

On good days, I think my husband still loves me and the woman is just a distraction. On bad days, I tell myself to stop being a fool and wake up to his 15 years of betrayal. I can’t imagine what this does to my daughter, the message I am sending her – that it is OK to be lied to and cheated on, and not fight back.

But I did fight, once upon a time. Back then, I still had a lot of hope for my marriage. I hoped that my husband would turn back and see only us. I hoped that the woman would bow out. And, without knowing it, I hoped foolishly for 15 years.

Was I living a lie? I truly believe no. I believed my husband still loved us, and I loved him, so it wasn’t a lie. He never neglected his duties, and never stayed a night out. His heart was still with his home.

Why did he not leave her then?

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