Matthew chose to end his marriage with Anne because she didn’t give him a son, yet paradoxically, he continued residing in their home. It was during a chance meeting with an old friend, Harry, that Anne realized how much better off she was without Matthew. Years later, fate brought Anne face to face with Matthew, and she almost didn’t recognize him.
“Oh my God! Harry! It’s so nice to see you!” Anne called out, surprised to run into an old friend from school while out for a rare solo coffee break in Seattle. Her five daughters were with her mother, giving Anne a cherished moment of peace.
“Anne, it’s lovely to see you too! Fancy catching up over coffee?” Harry asked with a friendly smile, and Anne immediately agreed. They settled into a cozy café, shared stories and laughter until Harry gently steered the conversation towards her family situation.
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“Oh… that’s actually a bit complicated,” Anne admitted with a sigh.
“Managing five kids is no easy feat for anyone,” Harry commented, showing a kind understanding, gleaned from the snippets of Anne’s life he had seen on social media.
“Matthew? What are you doing here?” she wondered, observing his uniform and pretzel tray.
“Yes, it’s tough. But there’s more to it,” Anne continued, revealing, “Matthew changed after our twins’ birth. Our daughters are 9 now, and they can hardly talk to him. They seem afraid of him.”
“What happened?” Harry asked, genuinely puzzled.
“Matthew always wanted a boy. We kept trying, but ended up blessed with two beautiful girls. And then came more. After our fifth daughter was born, Matthew became someone else. He filed for divorce and I’m left figuring things out on my own,” Anne shared, wiping away the stress with a shaky hand.
“That sounds incredibly hard. But perhaps you’re better off without him in the long run. He wasn’t much of a father if he was distant from the older girls,” Harry pointed out. “If you’re considering a change, know that I’m in Seattle for good. You could stay with me.”
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Anne was taken aback by the offer, unsure whether Harry’s assistance was too generous. She knew about his schoolboy crush back in the day, but it still shocked her. Rather than dwell on it, Anne redirected the talk to other topics, like Harry’s prosperous life.
Life at home worsened. Though divorced, Matthew lingered in the house, living a bachelor lifestyle, hosting gatherings, and creating chaos, all of which disturbed the girls. Anne found solace in her talks with Harry, who repeated his offer of a sanctuary. Living with Matthew became intolerable when another woman stepped into their home. This prompted Anne to call Harry, pack her bags, and leave with her daughters.
The divorce proceedings turned messy as Anne fought to reclaim the family home. Matthew resisted, yet his atrocious behavior was noted by the courts, which awarded Anne full custody and the house. Anne and Harry’s friendship blossomed into love, leading to a new home for their combined family. Renting out the old home let Anne put Matthew in her past.
***
A year after marrying Harry, Anne gave birth to their son, Alan. He was a radiant child, adored by his five older sisters. Anne’s heart was filled with joy beyond measure.
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Time flew, and one day Anne was shopping for shoes with Alan, her daughters busy with their activities. She couldn’t have guessed she’d see Matthew at the mall, managing the pretzel booth he now worked at.
“Alan, stay close!” she cautioned, rushing to him with astonishment when she noticed Matthew’s familiar face.
“Anne?”
“Matthew? What are you doing here?” Anne asked, confused by the sight of him in a uniform, offering pretzel samples. Matthew, once a well-paid office worker, seemed out of place, his job at odds with the child support he was meant to provide but never did. Anne wasn’t concerned, as she was financially stable enough for the girls.
“I’m working here,” he replied, eyes shifting to Alan. “Is this your son?”
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“Yes, this is Alan,” Anne replied with a warmth reserved for her beloved son. “He’s Harry’s child.”
“Oh, hello Alan,” Matthew said, his downcast demeanor a stark contrast to his once-demanding presence. While common knowledge states that it’s the father’s genes that determine a baby’s gender, Matthew had long misplaced blame onto Anne, craving a boy instead of celebrating the daughters they had.
Fortunately, Harry embraced the role of a father with unconditional love, their family thriving with happiness minus Matthew’s shadow.
“Look, Anne. I didn’t plan on asking like this, but I’m desperate—my lifestyle cost me everything. Could we discuss selling the old house?” Matthew pleaded, his desperation evident.
“Oh… I’ll consider it since it’s rented now,” Anne told him. “But we must leave. I’ll contact you regarding the house.”
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Taking Alan’s small hand in hers, Anne walked away, grateful for the life she had rebuilt. She chose to act generously, selling the home and giving Matthew half the proceeds although legally she could have kept it all. But something in her conscience told her this was right.
Matthew later asked to reconnect with the girls, but by then, they held no interest in seeing him. The older twins especially harbored deep resentment, and soon the rest followed suit. In time, Matthew faded from their lives, no longer a part of their family, a past that was best left behind.
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