'You're Nothing but a Parasite': My Husband Demanded I Get a Job & Care for 3 Kids – Until I Turned the Tables on Him
A stressed man on a call | Source: Pexels
I came home Thursday to find Caleb eating dry cereal straight from the box while Derek scrolled aimlessly on his phone. I kept my voice even.
"Derek, this is harder than you thought, isn't it?" I said, trying to confront him gently.
He didn't even look up. "Shut up! I don't need a lecture from YOU. I just need more time. Don't act like you're some kind of hero!"
He was unraveling, but his pride wouldn't let him say it out loud.
Week three broke him.
A man using his phone while his children eat | Source: Pexels
I came home late after covering for a co-worker. The lights were still on. The TV was playing some low-budget cartoon. Derek was passed out on the couch in the same sweatpants he'd worn all week, surrounded by toy cars and half-folded laundry.
Caleb was curled up asleep on the rug, thumb in his mouth. Noah was sticky and drowsy in his highchair. I could smell old applesauce.
Ava was in her room, hugging her doll, tears streaking down her cheeks, when I went to tuck her in.
"Mommy, Daddy doesn't listen when I need help. He just yells."
A sad girl holding a doll | Source: Pexels
That was it! No yelling, no dramatic confrontation. Just a quiet, painful confirmation from my daughter that things had gone too far.
I didn't even get a chance to tackle the issue with Derek because the next morning, I found him standing at the kitchen counter, head in his hands, coffee untouched.
"Ella, please," he whispered. "Quit your stupid job. I can't do this anymore. I'll go insane. You're better at this. I need you back. Please."
He didn't bark this time. He pleaded. And part of me wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it was okay.
But I didn't.
A stressed man | Source: Pexels
I told him I'd think about it, but that afternoon, my manager called me in.
"You're sharp, Ella," she said. "Efficient and smart. You've impressed everyone here. We'd like to offer you a full-time position with better pay and health benefits. What do you say?"
My new salary would actually be more than Derek's!
I said yes without even thinking about it.
