"After more than 30 years together, my now-ex told me he had a longstanding interest in another woman. He claimed he'd never cheated, but wanted my blessing to pursue her and stay married to me. He said I couldn't handle being single in my 50s. Well, I filed for divorce, and he pushed back. Our divorce was emotionally horrible, but I'm luckier than I could be. I'm a teacher, so I'm not rich, but I'll have a pension and health coverage."
"He was a much higher earner with a better lawyer so he got the house and most assets. But I recently inherited my mom's one-bed condo, so I didn't have to give up my city or find a new career. Our adult kids didn't take it well, and still are sad about "not being a family anymore," and believe there's equal blame."
"Now, apparently, he and his wife suffered from a major health event last year. They are hoping for a payout from a lawsuit and filing for SSI, but will both not be able to work and will require some care at home. They re-mortgaged the house at some point and now can't afford the combination of payments, taxes, and being unemployed with medical needs."
A long marriage ended after the husband disclosed a longstanding interest in another woman and sought permission to pursue her while remaining married. The narrator filed for divorce, endured a difficult separation, and retained employment, a pension, and health coverage while the ex received the house and most assets. An inherited one-bedroom condo preserved the narrator's city life and career. Adult children remain upset about the family breakup. The ex and his new wife experienced a major health event, became unable to work, re-mortgaged their house, and now seek temporary housing and care assistance from the narrator and the children.
Read at Slate Magazine
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