Marcus thought he’d done everything right after deciding to divorce his wife, Izzy. But his new girlfriend’s presence at his daughter’s 15th birthday party ended up with cackling laughs, a terrible slap, and a revelation he never expected.
I thought I was on the correct path when someone new and exciting came into my life. It was impulsive and fast, but it felt like the right thing, and it ruined everything.
After 20 years of marriage to Isabel, or “Izzy” to everyone who knew her well, I’d thought there would be no excitement left in life. Nothing new. But then, out of the blue, I met Jenna at a friend’s board game night that my wife didn’t attend.
A woman at a board game party | Source: Midjourney
Before you get any ideas, I’m 49. My wife is 47, and Jenna is 46. This isn’t the typical story of a man who leaves his wife for a young girl.
Jenna felt like someone had lit a spark in me I didn’t even know I’d lost. We just clicked. I can’t explain it in a less cliché way. But I knew one thing for certain: I would never cheat on my wife.
So, I faced the difficult choice of picking between 20 years of loyalty and two kids versus the chance of a new romance. It would’ve been a no-brainer for most people.
A businessman thinking | Source: Midjourney
But it felt right, especially after I ran into Jenna at two different coffee shops, and even the supermarket, days after the party. It was fate, so impulse took over.
I told Izzy I wanted a divorce. Remembering that day is still painful and makes me want to go back in time, like that scene in “Interstellar.”
“MAKE HIM STAY, MURPH!”
A man in an astronaut suit | Source: Midjourney
Anyway, it was late in the evening when I got home from work, and the house felt emptier than usual. I knew our daughter, Maya, was at volleyball practice. Our son, Caleb, had his own college dorm, but he was sometimes around. Not that night, though.
I’d been thinking about Jenna all day and felt guilt as I spotted my wife. She was going through some work emails, and when I walked in, she looked up with her familiar warm smile. I wished Izzy wouldn’t have grinned at me.
Before I knew it, the words tumbled out: “I think… I think we need to talk about us. About…me wanting a divorce.”
A man looking nervous as he speaks | Source: Midjourney
The smile on her face and the light in her eyes faded into blankness. She was quiet for a long time after, and I was almost grateful for that silence.
But when she finally spoke, her voice was steady but strained. “You’re serious? After twenty years, just like that? Out of the blue?”
I tried to explain, saying things like “We’ve grown apart” and “It’s not you, it’s me.” More clichés that tasted bitter in my mouth. Yet, Izzy listened without interrupting.
A woman looking serious | Source: Midjourney
Eventually, she nodded, a sad smile barely curving her lips. “If this is what you want, Marcus, I won’t stand in your way. I hope you never come to regret this.”
***
That night haunted me for weeks, but Jenna and I moved forward. And surprisingly, the divorce went smoothly. Caleb and Maya seemed to handle the news as well as they could.
It was also good timing because my son was 19 and my daughter was almost 15. They could understand more easily.
After I explained, they nodded and acted politely, though my daughter barely looked at me. Caleb wrinkled his nose several times.
A young man looking angry | Source: Midjourney
I knew I should’ve talked to them before jumping the gun, but I didn’t want to overthink it or spoil my chance at this piece of happiness.
Meanwhile, Jenna was a breath of fresh air. She made me feel younger, and freer, like I could finally be myself again. Our dates were amazing, and she was completely focused on me. I was the sun in her galaxy. That makes a man stand taller and, honestly, more confident.
After that, things just fell into place. The divorce was amicable, though lengthy because of all our assets and the laws in our state.
As man holding some documents and smiling slightly | Source: Midjourney
My kids were also adjusting seemingly okay, though Maya had to alternate between houses. But this was our new normal, and I was genuinely happy.
Months passed, and the divorce was finalized without an issue. So, when Maya’s 15th birthday came up, I thought long and hard but concluded that it was time to introduce Jenna to everyone.
It wasn’t the easiest decision because the party was being held at my ex-mother-in-law’s house, but many of my relatives would also be there. In my mind, it was the right time.
An older woman at the front porch of a nice house | Source: Midjourney
Jenna and I walked through the door, and many did double takes. Still, my family was friendly and welcoming while I introduced my beautiful girlfriend proudly.
As we moved deeper into the house, toward the backyard, I caught sight of David, Izzy’s brother. He looked us up and down as his eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. I froze for a second.
But Jenna leaned into me, squeezing my arm, and whispered, “Ignore him.” I smiled at her, nodded at my still-scowling ex-brother-in-law, and finally stepped out into the backyard, where most of the attendees were.
A backyard where people are gathered for a party | Source: Midjourney
I was looking for Maya and Caleb, specifically. But I wasn’t distracted enough to not notice the immediate change in the air.
The chatter had stopped, and only the music from unseen speakers kept going. Instead of my children, I saw my ex-wife first.
She was by the drinks table, talking to some people until she noticed the atmosphere shift, too, and turned toward us. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked completely stunned as her eyes darted between me and Jenna.
A woman stunned at something standing to the side | Source: Midjourney
I expected the tension. I even thought she would be angry, but I was sure I could explain any trouble away. Except, without warning, Izzy blurted, “You idiot!” and burst into laughter. The sound was loud and uncontrollable.
I froze again, as everyone turned to her in confusion. My kids, who I finally noticed, had been at a table eating burgers, but they stood and looked just as perplexed as everyone else.
I looked at my girlfriend and noticed her smile had frozen. She looked around and swallowed, nervously. But before I could ask her or Izzy what was going on, I saw Gloria, Izzy’s mother, stomping toward us.
An older woman angry | Source: Midjourney
Her face was red with anger. She stopped just inches from Jenna and, without warning, slapped her hard across the face.
My girlfriend staggered back, her hand flying up to her cheek, eyes wide with shock. I moved forward, trying to shield her, but Gloria wasn’t finished.
“How dare you show your face here!” she screamed her fury at Jenna. “After everything you did to my daughter? You think you can walk in here?!”
“Gloria, what the hell are you talking about?” I demanded, trying to push her away gently.
A man looking confused and upset | Source: Midjourney
Suddenly, my ex-brother-in-law stepped forward and put his arms on Gloria to hold her back while glaring at Jenna with open hatred.
“You really don’t know, do you?” he spat, looking at me like I was the biggest fool on earth. “This woman,” he pointed at Jenna, “was Izzy’s high school bully. She tormented her, and it was relentless!”
My stomach twisted as I looked at Jenna, who was staring at the ground, refusing to meet my eyes. “Is… is this true?” I whispered.
Jenna hesitated, then nodded tightly. “Yes, but that was years ago. I was young and stupid…”
A woman looking serious | Source: Midjourney
David cut her off. “It wasn’t just high school, Marcus! She tried to get Izzy kicked out of college. Spread lies and accused her of cheating on exams and plagiarizing papers all her freshman year.”
I stepped back, shaking my head. “No, that can’t be,” I said, turning to Jenna. “Tell them that wasn’t you!”
“It was her,” David spat. “She almost destroyed my sister’s future because she was too stupid to get into college!”
A middle-aged man in front of an older woman looking angry | Source: Midjourney
Those words set fire to Jenna. “I WASN’T STUPID!” she yelled at him but quickly turned to me. “Yes, I did those things, Marcus. It’s true. But people change. Doesn’t that count for something?”
My head was spinning. “Did you know she was my wife when we met and kept running into each other?” I asked.
Jenna looked down and nodded.
“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” Gloria screamed, thrashing in David’s arms.
An upset older woman pointing | Source: Midjourney
“Please, Marcus. Leave with me, and I’ll explain everything,” Jenna said, trying to touch my arm, but I was done with her.
“No,” I said, and this time, my voice cracked.
A hard look came over her face. “You think you’re so perfect? You think you didn’t hurt anyone? You left your wife and kids just because you were bored. This isn’t all on me!”
A woman looking upset | Source: Midjourney
I don’t know if she said that out of spite, to hurt me, or to justify herself. But she turned and walked away with her head held high, though I could see the redness of her cheek from Gloria’s slap.
When she was out of sight, I noticed the entire backyard was silent. Everyone watched me, waiting for something.
There was pity in my relatives’ eyes, but contempt in Izzy’s side of the family. Caleb stood off to the side with his arms crossed and his face tight. Maya looked at me like I was a stranger.
A teenage girl, looking sad | Source: Midjourney
“Dad,” she whispered. “How could you?”
“Maya, I didn’t know any of this!” I cried out.
Caleb walked forward. “Honestly? You didn’t know?” he asked. My son had always been the suspicious type, always analyzing why people did or acted in certain ways.
“It doesn’t matter!” Maya continued angrily. “You broke our family for NOTHING!”
Those words hit me harder than anything else that day.
A man looking sad | Source: Midjourney
I’d spent months convincing myself I was doing the right thing. That it was meant to be because things were going so smoothly. Everyone seemed happy!
But my kids weren’t. At all. That’s what I realized at that moment. Yet, I still felt like the wronged party.
Throughout all this, Izzy had said nothing. She stood there and watched it play out like it was none of her business. I don’t know why I hated that so much. It was to her that I yelled, “IT WASN’T MY FAULT! I DIDN’T KNOW!” before walking out in shame.
A sad man looking at something to the side | Source: Midjourney
***
In the days that followed, I calmed down and tried reaching out to my kids. Caleb responded occasionally but was always short with his answers. Maya didn’t respond at all. I didn’t dare call Izzy.
At first, I was defensive and told myself that no part of this was my doing. I had no clue. I’d just fallen in love. My relatives who were at the party eventually understood that, but the fact that my children couldn’t made me resentful.
After all, I’d cut Jenna off for good. She kept texting me, but I eventually blocked her. But no one was giving me the chance to explain it. Weeks later, I ran into my cousin and vented some of my feelings to her. By the end of that meeting, she gave me the business card of a therapist.
A woman holding a business card | Source: Midjourney
I called only a few days later. One thing he said actually put things into perspective.
“Whether you knew or not is irrelevant. You chose the divorce. You hurt your family on an impulse, as you’ve told me,” the doctor began. “What your ex-in-laws revealed was a bombshell, for sure. But at the end of the day, what matters now? Do you want to lose your kids for good?”
No, I didn’t want that. And after that simple realization, everything else he said in just one session made sense. I saw all the selfishness and stupidity I’d displayed. So, I took action.
A man in an office | Source: Midjourney
First, I called David, and I got the full detailed story of how Jenna almost ruined Izzy’s future. They’d needed lawyers and cops to finally get her to stop and disappear from their lives. During our talk, he called me many names and insults and told me Jenna had played me.
I knew and was glad that, at least, my love for her was gone. She wasn’t going to play me ever again. I asked for David’s forgiveness and he gave it grudgingly.
Afterward, I called my ex-mother-in-law and begged her to see my perspective. She forgave me only after giving me a two-hour lecture. She also told me I would never find someone as great as her daughter. That was true.
An older woman looking angry while on the phone | Source: Midjourney
I would never have Izzy as my wife again, but she was the mother of my children and the person I called next. This was the most painful conversation. Aside from forgiveness, I had to beg her for help with the kids.
I couldn’t let my relationship with them be completely destroyed. Fortunately, Izzy was gracious enough to agree after telling me that I really had no way of knowing who Jenna was. I breathed a sigh at last.
It took several weeks, but eventually, she called me, saying Caleb and Maya were open to having a deep conversation with me. We had to start slow, though. It had to be on their terms.
A man looking thoughtful | Source: Midjourney
This is my ONE chance to make things TRULY right and get my children back. I’m seeing them tomorrow. Wish me luck.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Marido zomba de ovo velho que a esposa comprou em mercado de pulgas, então ela pediu para ele abrir – História do dia
Meu marido zombou de mim por comprar um pequeno ovo esmaltado no mercado de pulgas, mas ele teve uma grande surpresa.
Primeiro, preciso dizer que sou um viciado em mercado de pulgas. Não consigo evitar, adoro a ideia de navegar pelos destroços e lixo de uma centena de vidas e, entre o lixo descartado, encontrar um tesouro perdido.
Tudo começou quando eu tinha apenas onze anos e passava os verões com minha avó na Nova Inglaterra. Nos fins de semana, ela e eu íamos a todos os mercados de pulgas ou feiras de rua por centenas de quilômetros ao redor, procurando por “joias usadas”, que é como ela chamava seus achados.
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Deixe-me dizer que, mesmo hoje, como mãe e avó, nada faz meu coração bater mais rápido do que vasculhar uma bandeja de pedaços e encontrar um lampejo de algo que me diz que encontrei ouro.
Meu marido não entende nada. Sam é um homem adorável, doce, trabalhador, mas minha necessidade de encontrar tesouros no lixo é algo que ele simplesmente não entende.
É a única coisa que nos desentendemos, eu trazer para casa “joias usadas”, ou como ele as chama, lixo de acumulador. Acho que seria mais fácil para mim simplesmente desistir do meu pequeno hobby, mas sinceramente não quero.
Nada me dá tanto prazer quanto ir a um mercado de pulgas no fim de semana com US$ 20 no bolso, determinado a encontrar um Van Goh por 50 centavos. Então, não importa o quanto Sam critique comigo por desperdiçar dinheiro e acumular lixo, não vou desistir.
Não que ele tenha reclamado disso ultimamente, na verdade, neste fim de semana ele perguntou se poderia vir comigo, então deixe-me contar como esse milagre aconteceu.
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Cerca de um mês atrás, fui a uma cidade próxima para sua feira de rua em uma manhã de sábado. Eu estava formigando de antecipação, e meus sentidos de caçador de pechinchas me levaram a uma modesta exposição onde um homem estava vendendo bugigangas.
Ali, entre as xícaras de porcelana e as pastorinhas de bisque, havia um pequeno ovo de porcelana e esmalte, mais ou menos do tamanho de um ovo de verdade. Admito que não era uma peça particularmente bonita ou incomum, mas eu a queria.
“Quanto custa o ovo?”, perguntei ao homem. Ele me examinou com olhos brilhantes. Eu podia senti-lo observando minhas roupas sensatas, minha bolsa e imaginando quanto eu pagaria.
“Só $25, moça, e deixa eu te dizer que é uma pechincha!” ele disse. Eu sei como o jogo é jogado, então eu engasguei de horror e balancei a cabeça.
“US$ 25 por um ovo de porcelana barato?”, perguntei. “Eu te dou US$ 5.”
O lixo de um homem é o tesouro de outro.
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
“CINCO DÓLARES!” Foi a vez do homem suspirar. “Por este pedaço de história? Por este pequeno tesouro? Moça, isto é porcelana francesa.”
“Certo!” Balancei a cabeça. “Então, se eu virar, não vou ver ‘feito na China’ estampado na parte inferior?”
O homem hesitou, o que me disse que ele não tinha certeza, então eu usei minha vantagem. “Vou te dizer uma coisa, eu pego, sem tocar, por $10.”
O homem resmungou um pouco baixinho, mas embrulhou o ovo em um pedaço de jornal e pegou meus dez dólares. Fiquei encantado! Eu tinha um pressentimento sobre o ovo! Dei uma olhada no resto da feira, mas meu coração não estava lá. Eu tinha meu tesouro, então fui para casa.
Entrei sorrindo e dei um beijo em Sam. Ele estava sentado no sofá lendo seu jornal. “Ei, querida”, ele disse, “Encontrou algum lixo?”
“Ei! Sim, na verdade…” Peguei o ovo embrulhado na minha bolsa e o desvendei cuidadosamente.
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Sam olhou com ceticismo. “É isso? Foi isso que você encontrou?”
“Sim!”, gritei, “não é lindo?”
“Para que serve?”, ele perguntou, virando o ovo nas mãos.
“Acho que era uma caixa de joias”, respondi. “Você vê a pequena trava de metal e as dobradiças?” Peguei o ovo e tentei abri-lo.
“Acho que está enferrujado”, disse Sam, e então virou o ovo. “Não é de se espantar, olha! Feito em Hong Kong! Quanto você pagou por ele?”
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Eu me senti corando e peguei o ovo. “Dez dólares”, admiti defensivamente, “Mas o homem queria US$ 25.”
Sam riu de mim com desdém. “Você foi enganado, DE NOVO!”
Senti lágrimas vindo aos meus olhos. “Bem, eu gosto!” Eu balancei o pequeno ovo e ouvi algo se mover dentro. “Tem algo dentro!”
Sam zombou: “Oh, tenho certeza de que é um diamante”, ele zombou de mim, e pegou o ovo da minha mão. Com um giro hábil de seus dedos poderosos, ele abriu o ovo. Aninhado dentro estava um pequeno pacote de seda vermelha.
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Peguei o pequeno pacote e cuidadosamente o desembrulhei. Brilhando nas dobras da seda vermelha estava um par de brincos. Eles eram requintados! Claro, eram falsos, pensei, mas eram cópias lindas.
Sam pegou um dos brincos e olhou atentamente. A pedra central transparente estava cercada por um halo de gemas verdes, e Sam soprou sobre ela. Ele olhou para o brinco e engasgou.
“Jen”, ele disse, “acho que são reais!”
“O quê?”, perguntei. “O que você quer dizer?”
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
“Eu vi um documentário sobre diamantes há um tempo, e eles disseram que um diamante de verdade não embaça com sua respiração. Olha!” e ele soprou na grande pedra transparente novamente.
Olhei para ela. Nenhuma névoa. Olhei para Sam, então balancei a cabeça. “Hun, olha o tamanho dessas pedras. Elas valeriam milhões! Elas são apenas boas falsificações.”
Mas Sam estava animado. “Vamos até aquele joalheiro no shopping, pedir para ele avaliá-los.”
“Sam”, eu disse a ele, “ele vai nos cobrar por isso!”
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Mas Sam não se importou, então dirigimos até o shopping e esperamos com a respiração suspensa enquanto o homem murmurava sobre os brincos e os testava. “São diamantes, tudo bem”, ele disse, “E ouro branco de 18 quilates.
Para mim, estas parecem ser esmeraldas. Corte antigo, tudo isso. Estes brincos são provavelmente Art Déco, pelo estilo e pelo acabamento. Você provavelmente está olhando para cerca de trezentas, dependendo da qualidade das pedras, pode ser mais.”
“Trezentos dólares?” Sam perguntou.
“Trezentos mil, no mínimo”, respondeu o joalheiro. Senti o chão balançar sob meus pés e tive que me agarrar a Sam para me apoiar. Eu tinha encontrado um tesouro REAL!
Apenas para fins ilustrativos | Fonte: Unsplash
Como se viu, o joalheiro estava errado. Os brincos foram vendidos por três milhões de dólares em um leilão. O resultado é que agora temos um adorável pequeno pé-de-meia no banco, e o ovo de porcelana tem um lugar de destaque na lareira da nossa nova casa.
Quanto a Sam, ele agora é um ávido caçador de antiguidades, e me acompanha em todos os mercados de pulgas e feiras de antiguidades. Ainda não encontramos aquele Van Gogh, mas temos esperança!
O que podemos aprender com essa história?
- O lixo de um homem é o tesouro de outro . Jen acreditava que encontraria uma “jóia usada” e ela finalmente encontrou, literalmente.
- Respeite os interesses dos outros. Sam zombou da paixão de Jen por mercados de pulgas, mas ela acabou encontrando um par de brincos de US$ 3 milhões.
Compartilhe esta história com seus amigos. Ela pode inspirar as pessoas a compartilhar suas próprias histórias ou ajudar outra pessoa.
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