A letter, A hurt and a new beginning.

A letter arrived yesterday was written five years ago. I was surprised to see the name on the envelope. A name I thought I would never see again. A name that held me bound and caused me so much hurt. It was the name of my estranged husband.

My husband had travelled abroad to seek greener pastures five years ago and for some unknown reason, he stopped communicating with me after his stay over there was solidified. All efforts to reach him over there proved abortive.

These last five years, I have learnt to be strong for both myself and my son, Alex. I have learnt to survive this jungle called life on my own hence I was shocked when I saw the date of the letter to have been two days before his flight to Australia.

Curiosity got the best of me and I dropped my handbag, took a seat and began to read the letter...

*”Dear Vivian,

I really didn't know how to break this news to you but you were not my heart's choice. I was forced to marry you. The woman I love is already pregnant and waiting for me overseas. I will be joining her there in a few days. I know that you are a good woman. The two peaceful years I spent with you will not be forgotten so easily but I must follow my heart.

I don't know when you will receive this letter. I don't mean to abandon you or my son but I simply have to take care of the woman that I love and also leave this place to a better country. I know you might hate me after seeing this letter but find a place in your heart to forgive me.

Your husband

Ericson.

I laughed and cried at the same time after reading the letter. So my assumption was correct. His family told me he was seriously working over there, hence the lack of time for communication when all the while, he had been living his best life with another woman and their child.

He chose to be a father figure to his other child at the expense of my own child. He chose to break our marital vows at the expense of his mistress whom he claims to love. I dried my tears and folded back the letter into its envelope. I wanted to call and confront this family but recalling all the lies they sold to me all this while, I changed my mind.

There was no point for confrontations. He chose his path and now it is my turn to choose me. To choose a better path than the one dealt to me. I devised a good plan that would help me stay afloat in the long run and then I waited for the school bus to bring my son home from school. My plans will kick off once my son gets back home from school.

I was on the phone with my only brother when the sound of the school bus drew my attention. My son came running into my arms, an act that always made me smile. I quickly bathed and changed his clothes and served him his lunch. After that, I took Eric's car which had been locked away in the garage all this while and drove to see my brother.

On meeting him, I showed him the letter and told him of my plan to get back at Eric. He bought the idea and gave me his full support. He helped me hire a good lawyer who took the letter as grand evidence.

I sold the house where I currently live in cos it belonged to Eric. I also sold the car and bought a smaller one. I sued Eric's family for fraud and allowance of bigamy. They had no choice but to settle the issue out of court so as not to jeopardize their son's happiness but I could care less.

I sued them for twenty million naira and also signed a divorce agreement. I took all the money which amounted to sixty million naira and used it to travel abroad as well.

I am ready for a new and better beginning for both me and my son.

Thank you all for reading... Shalom

Images used were generated with Meta Ai.