I’m not the one going through this.
It’s a close friend of mine who is,
But she’s not strong enough to share her story.
She’s been married to a man for 18 years.
It started with infertility,
Then with his parents getting involved,
And insulting her.

Her husband constantly priortized his family over her.
To the extent that he once made her choose,
Between divorcing her,
And kissing his parents’ feet.
She’s refusing to involve her family, unfortunately.

She got pregnant after 10 years of humiliation and shame.
His work always comes first,
And he treats her badly.
He insults her,
And hits her in front of people.

She’s basically a divorcee.
He could go for a year or two without seeing her.
He’s too busy with work, he says.
He accuses her of having affairs.
He said that in front of other people,
And in front of his parents.
She can’t speak up.
She doesn’t want to leave him for the sake of their child,
And because he could hurt her,
Since he’s a police officer.

She’s suffering tremendously,
But she’s unable to do anything.
She doesn’t have an income,
That she could depend on if she left him.
She’s scared he’ll take her son away.