mauricetherapy

Dear Maurice,

I met my husband just after I graduated from campus 6 years ago. He was the most charming man I had ever met. He was very considerate and extremely generous in the way he would pamper me and exhaust his free time with me. At the time I had applied for several jobs but none were coming my way for a good year, I guess the supply out weighed the demand for my professional skill set. But not to worry my handsome Knight, then boyfriend, was there to assist me financially whenever I needed some form of cash top up. I could ask my parents but they were not always in a position to help me out.  My parents did their best to educate me and they did struggle to make sure I completed my campus education. Anyway my boyfriend finally proposed after 2 years of on and off dating and I was over the moon. My dream of being a bride was materializing and what a wedding we had, it was like a fairy tale.

Maurice asks,

It sounds like you had a great beginning of your marriage?

She replies,

You can say that again, yes it was a fairy tale as they call it. But as the years went on into our 6^th year things in our marriage progressively went from bad to worse. My husband started to drink every weekend and spend very little time with me and our 2 kids. He began to come home at 11pm and that escalated to 5am and it became a habit for early morning arrivals from his escapades. If I dared to question him he would threaten to leave me and take the kids.

Maurice asks,

After you graduated did you not find employment?

She replies,

I did find a job but after 14 months my husband insisted that he wanted me home to care for our kids and he would provide for us, so I stupidly left my job. At the time it made sense but now I know I was foolish to lose my independence.

Maurice asks,

I feel like there’s more to this story, what is it?

She replies,

About 3 weeks ago I confronted my husband and I asked him why he had gradually changed from the most loving man to the man who hardly pays me attention, our intimacy is non-existent, and I also told him that I have known of 2 affairs that he has had but decided to look the other way in fear that he would leave me if I pressured him or cornered him.

Maurice asks,

What did he say?

She replies,

He said that he had never loved me. I asked him “what did you say”? He replied that he only married me because it was a means to an end. He was gunning for a promotion at work which required a marital status and that his mother over some time had pressured him into giving her grandchildren. Once he was married he could achieve both. He also admitted to having 4 affairs during our marriage. That response killed me inside, I could not believe what I was hearing. How do I live in a fake marriage? My parents say I should move in with them as I figure things out.

Maurice replies,

Your marriage can only get worse at this point and I too believe that it is wise to leave what was spawned to be a marriage of convenience. The transition won’t be easy but you have a chance for a new happier start in life.