My name is Wendy, 26 years old, married.
When my husband and I were just newly married, we were full of dreams. Every day was easy, even though we didn't have a luxurious life. We were happy with each other, as long as we were together.
Five years passed, but we still didn't have a child. That's when the course of our relationship began to change. I had a hysterectomy, and since then, I haven't been able to have children. It was hard to accept, but I accepted it, because I thought we loved each other enough.
Until one day, I noticed that he was slowly moving away. He would come home at night, quietly, the same tenderness he had before was gone. It didn't occur to me that he had another woman. He told me straight up—he had another woman, and he just wanted to have children.
It hurts. But even though it hurts, I chose to keep quiet and understand.
I tried to think, maybe he was right, maybe I was wrong. I chose to endure the pain and hope that he would change. But the pain wasn't over yet—one day, he came with his woman and introduced himself as the new housemate.
I didn't know how I would feel then. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, but I still chose to be humble. I tried to be with him, even though I was his real wife.
Many of my family and friends are saying I should break up with him.
But what if I really still love him? What if I still hope, even though I know I'm the only one fighting?
With the many nights I spent silently crying, I also wondered—am I still doing the right thing?
Why do I allow myself to be hurt every day? Why do I accept the situation where I am the legal wife, but it feels like I am still on the side?
Now, I'm slowly understanding that not having a child is no reason to cheat on me.
There's no reason for there to be another woman in our house. What he is doing is wrong, not just as a husband but as a person. And most of all, it is against the law. I have the right to file a lawsuit—it's called concubinage—and I can also file for annulment.
But I know, the decision is still mine.
It's not easy to leave, especially when there's still love. But maybe, it's time for me to choose myself—my peace, my self-respect.
I don't know what tomorrow holds, I'm ready to start again.
Because if I don't choose a better life, who else will?
