Meanwhile, I ran a small family business. It was a quaint little store my dad left me when he retired. It\u2019s not much, but it\u2019s mine, and I love it.<\/p>\n
Everything was going well until Theo left for another long-haul trip three months ago. He said he\u2019d be doing multiple trips, back-to-back during that time, and I honestly felt terrible for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll go for a mini getaway once you return, okay?\u201d I told him before he left.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, babe,\u201d he smiled. \u201cWe\u2019ll have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little did I know I\u2019d never want to go on a trip with him again.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Once he left, I kept myself busy with some pending tasks at my store. It had been about two weeks when I got a call from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, babe,\u201d he said, his voice crackling over the line. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking. Remember that house I inherited from Grandpa? I want to renovate it. Can you handle that while I\u2019m away?\u201d<\/p>\n
I was surprised but excited. We\u2019d talked about fixing up that old place for ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d I replied. \u201cBut it\u2019ll cost a bit. Are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, absolutely. Just use your money for now, and I\u2019ll pay you back when I get home. Promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
I should\u2019ve seen the red flags. I shouldn\u2019t have agreed to pay for the renovation.<\/p>\n
As expected, I dove into the project. I poured my heart (and $25,000 of my savings) into that house to build a new kitchen, a bathroom remodel, fresh paint, and the works.<\/p>\n
I imagined us building a life there together whenever I chose a new piece of furniture or appliance. I was super excited, unaware of what Theo was doing behind my back.<\/p>\n
This was the first time I was directly involved with this house because Theo had always handled the paperwork and bills for it. He always said it was \u201chis responsibility\u201d since it was his inheritance.<\/p>\n
I trusted him completely, never questioning his management.<\/p>\n
About three months later, Theo returned from his trip. I was so excited watching him park his truck in our driveway. I couldn\u2019t wait to tell him everything about the renovation.<\/p>\n
But the moment he stepped out, I could tell something was wrong. He barely looked at me and walked inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk,\u201d he said sternly.<\/p>\n
I felt my heart had almost jumped up to my throat. Those four words were never a good sign.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout what?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want a divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"