I thought I was simply being the dutiful wife but became more and more unhappy until I finally decided to leave. I moved out of state to be close to my family. Full of shame and guilt for now being a divorcee, I became an alcoholic. My second husband took complete control the day we were married. He was an intimidating man. My children were afraid of him and I had to cover up for them to try to keep them out of trouble. I became a liar out of self-preservation. He was emotionally and sexually abusive, threatening, and intimidating.
I had him removed from the house and I got a restraining order. He moved into the house next door and continued to make threats against me. We had a son together and I was always fearful that he would try to take him away from me. I got sober about a year after our divorce was final. He moved across the state and I eventually moved out of state. He died of a massive coronary not long after.
There is a lot more to my story that is not included here. It has taken many years of recovery for me to learn that he was a very sick man and we were in a toxic relationship.
I now have 21 years of sobriety. Today I am happily married, my children are all grown up and doing well.
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