Thirty-four weeks pregnant and deep sleeping, my husband’s sobs in the dark of night woke me up quickly. His reason destroyed my life; by dawn I had to file for divorce.

My heart is weighty with loss as I wait for my kid to arrive. Two weeks from now is my due date, and I find myself divided between divorcing my spouse and bringing my tiny gift of pleasure into the world. Mary here, and this is the narrative of how one fatal night turned everything around.

Grayscale side view of a very pregnant woman | Pexels source
Daniel and I met five years ago, and our marriage has been flawless—or so I thought.

“You’re being ridiculous, Mary,” my husband would say anytime I fretted about fire. “What is the worst that could happen? There is a smoke alarm.”

Still, I couldn’t get the terror away.

“My Mom’s house burned down when I seventeen. We lost Grampa, our pet dog. I once told Daniel, “The smell of smoke still haunts me,” but he only patted my hand and said not to worry.

That fatal night, I recalled the sound of sirens, the smoke’s scent, and the dread I felt as Dad, Mom, and I crawled out from under.

Night view of a burning structure | Pexels
We lost everything but our neighbors and the rescue crew saved us. The incident still haunts me, and Daniel’s repeated assurances had no effect on easing my anxiety.

I had lately been double-checking everything before bed. I check for unplugging the stove, turning off the electrical outlets, and absence of lit candles.

Up close view of a lady adjusting a stove knob | Source: PEXELS
Daniel would become irate, but I couldn’t help it. My mind and heart would ignore each other. I had to be sure our infant was protected as well.

Mary, we are not going to have a home fire. You’re just being paranoid, Daniel would say. I knew, nevertheless, what I felt.

He came home from business two nights ago with buddies. They caused somewhat a disturbance as they relaxed in the living room.

Three men yelling while seated on a sofa; Source: Freepik
Explaining that I needed some solitude, I drew him aside and begged him to send them away. Daniel stated he wanted to spend time with his buddies before the kid arrived and they were simply enjoying “harmless fun”.

I grabbed my pregnancy cushion and stormed upstairs to our bedroom, not arguing any more.

As the commotion from downstairs gradually subsided, I slipped off to sleep. I heard Daniel’s loud voice suddenly: “Mary, honey, get up! Get ready. Fire, burning, fire! Get ready!

Adrenaline shot through my body and my heart missed a beat.

Shocked woman covering her lips | Pexels source
I reached for my blanket and pillow, covering my belly as though to be guarding it. I unlocked the door and hurried downstairs calling for Daniel to let the fire department know.

Daniel’s friends started laughing as I got to the living room. Walking over to them, Daniel cocked like a hyena. I felt bewildered and lost.

“What’m happening?” Still processing the circumstances, I asked.

A man crossing his arms laughing | Source: Freepik
Laughing still, Daniel said his companions wanted some “fun” and would pull a practical joke on me. To frightish me, they had instructed him to cry “Fire! Fire!”

I thought of myself as having been gutly pounded. Fear and anger burst to the top. I halted Daniel in his tracks and faced him.

“How could you treat me this way? How could you play with my anxiety like this?” I yelled, tears running down my face.

An irate woman clutching her head | Source: Pexels
Daniel started to apologize heavily after his laughter stopped. Still, it was too late. Harm was done. My head whirled while my heart hammered.

Turning and rushing back upstairs, I shot out, “You shouldn’t have done that, Daniel.”

Seeking clarity, I closed myself in our bedroom. As I considered Daniel’s irresponsibility, tears poked at the margins of my eyes.

How could he not see that this still set off events for me? That my memory would always be scarred with the scent of smoke and the sound of sirens?

A man laughing while hands on his hip | Source: Freepik
That I had allowed him treat me this way astounded me. We had passed this, I thought. I assumed our work was on understanding and trust.

I felt caught as I sank down on the bed. The walls appeared to shrink in on me. I tried to cool myself by slow breaths, but my mind kept racing.

Why would Daniel do this? Had he forgotten the journey I had been on? Did he merely not give a damn about my emotions? I knew his young antics, but this is different. This was horrible.

Pexels; a pregnant woman seated on the bed clutching her belly
I wanted someone to talk to, someone who would get it.

I snatched my phone and dialled a number I recognized by memory.

” Dad?” Still attempting to keep my voice steady, I said.

“Hey, kiddo,” his friendly voice said. ” What’s going on?”

I inhaled deeply then let everything come out. “Dad, Daniel did something dumb and it truly set off me… big time.”

An older man on the phone | Source: peels
The tone of my dad changed to become grave. “Okay, sweetheart, cool-off. Tell me about it.

I inhaled once more and went over everything—from the prank to my later meltdown.

My dad listened silently for a moment after I finished before speaking. “Mary, I apologise for you going through this. I am currently on my way.

A pregnant lady chatting on the phone Pexels as the source
One lump developed in my throat. “Dad, occasionally I feel caught in an endless cycle of anxiety and fear.”

The voice of Dad softened. Mary, you are not by yourself. You can survive this; you are strong. Together, we will sort things out.”

Ten minutes later I heard Dad’s car pulling up outside, familiar sound.

The door opened, and my dad entered with a tough look. Mary, come on. We are setting off.

Night view of cars on the road | Pexels as the source
I nodded and started to pack. Daniel stayed on the couch, his arrogant, apathetic attitude unaltered. Long before, following the turmoil they had caused, his pals had left. I turned him aside and concentrated on packing.

I saw the way my dad’s eyes locked into Daniel’s as we left the apartment.

“You’re lucky.” I didn’t lose it on you just now, friend,” he mumbled under his breath.

Close-up of the eyes of an irate older guy | Pexels
For a few minutes we traveled in quiet; the only sounds were soft music, the hum of the motor, and the distant pitter-patter of rain.

At last, my dad spoke. “That lad has some quite serious problems. He is better than pushing you about like that.”

The idea of Daniel’s behavior made me start to feel depressed. “I know, Dad.” Simply said, I sometimes feel as like he doesn’t give me or my emotions any thought.

Pexels: A automobile on an empty road on a rainy night
Dad rested a hand on my knee. “Mary, you are really worth far more than this. Don’t let him dark your lighthouse.

I felt relief flood over me and somewhat nodded at his comments.

When we got home, dad unlocked the door. “Let’s get you inside and settled. We’ll handle Daniel later.

The whole effect of Daniel’s deeds strikes me in the still of the night. It wasn’t a joke; it was a purposeful attempt to scare me, and while I was pregnant, no less.

Pexels: A pregnant woman seated on the bed clutching a glass of water
The idea threw a tsunami of terror across me. What would happen to our baby or myself should his idiocy trigger something? The ambiguity smothers you.

I woke up the following morning resolved and determined Daniel’s conduct cannot define our relationship or my pregnancy. I had to grab on and shield my child and me.

Knowing it wouldn’t be simple, but it was essential, I phoned my lawyer and started for divorce.

Close-up of divorce documents on a brown table | Pexels source
As always, my dad was helpful; unfortunately, my mom was less sympathetic. She persisted in assuring me I was exaggerating and Daniel had no intention of hurting me.

Though I knew better. Daniel had not laughed; he had played with my worries. It was about our child as much as about me. If he couldn even accept his partner’s limits or worries, what type of father would he be?

An unhappy woman hiding her face | Pexels
Two days have passed since I decided to start divorce processes—a tough choice. Though it’s too late, Daniel has been bombashing me with apologies and pledges to reform. Damage done; my emotions have been permanently damaged.

It’s high time Daniel realized that my feelings are not something to play about with or minimize.

Up close view of a man using a smartphone | Pexels source
Should you be in my position, what would you do? Would you take charge, give your safety and well-being top priority, shield your child from the negative impact of someone who didn’t give a damn about your emotions or welfare? Alternatively would you want to forgive and forget, hoping for a magical improvement?

Source: Unsplash; close-up of a pregnant woman clutching her baby bump
Here’s another narrative: Lara had little idea her world was just seconds away from breaking when she receives an enigmatic box on her birthday from her husband’s mistress.