After a year of maternity leave, I was excited to return to work but found none of my old clothes fit. When I asked my husband, Tyler, if we could use savings for new outfits, he suggested I just become a cleaner instead. He argued I wouldn’t need fancy clothes and it would be easier with childcare.
Instead of getting upset, I took his advice—but with a twist. I applied for a cleaning job at his office, where I worked part-time without him knowing. After a few weeks, I confronted him during a client meeting, revealing I had followed his suggestion. Tyler was humiliated, especially when his boss and colleagues learned the truth.
As I continued working at the office, I caught the attention of HR, who offered me a marketing position that fit my schedule and paid more than Tyler’s job. At a company event, I showed up in a new dress, announcing my new role. Tyler was stunned.
Over time, our marriage dynamics shifted, and Tyler lost his job. Despite his apologies and gifts, I realized the moment he made me feel small was when everything changed. Now, I’m left with a decision—should I forgive him or move on for good?