That’s non-negotiable.”
“You think this solves anything? This is a slap in the face!”
“No, Gaby. This is me setting boundaries.
We build our family’s future together, not by taking what isn’t ours to take.”
She jabbed a finger at my chest. “You’re choosing your daughters over us. Admit it!”
“I’m choosing to honor Edith’s wishes.
And if you can’t respect that, then we have a serious problem.”
Gaby’s eyes filled with tears, but I couldn’t tell if they were genuine or manipulative. “I thought we were partners, Charlie. I thought what was yours was mine.”
“We are partners, Gaby.
But that doesn’t mean erasing the past or disregarding Edith’s legacy.”
She turned away, her shoulders shaking. “You’re being so unfair.”
As she left the room, I called after her, “Unfair or not. But know this: my decision stands.”
The following weeks were filled with icy silences and clipped conversations.
Gaby alternated between trying to guilt-trip me and giving me the cold shoulder. But I stood firm, refusing to budge. One evening, as I tucked my daughters into bed, my oldest asked, “Daddy, is everything okay with you and Gaby?”
I paused, choosing my words carefully.
“We’re working through some grown-up stuff, sweetheart. But don’t worry, okay?”
She nodded, but her eyes were worried. “We don’t want you to be sad again, Daddy.”
My heart clenched.
I pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. “I’m not sad, honey. I promise.
Your happiness is what matters most to me.”
As I left their room, I found Gaby waiting in the hallway, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. “They’re good kids, Charlie. But my girls deserve just as much.”
I sighed, realizing her stance hadn’t changed.
“They are good kids. All of them. And they all deserve our support.”
She scoffed, shaking her head.
“Support? That trust fund would’ve been a REAL support. But you just had to play the hero for your precious Edith, didn’t you?”
“This isn’t about playing hero.
It’s about respect. Respect for Edith’s wishes and for our daughters’ future.”
“And what about my daughters’ future? Or does that not matter to you?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
“We’ve set up a fund for them too. We’re building it together, remember? That’s how we move forward.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Oh, please. That’s just your way of placating me. It’s not the same and you know it.”
Our eyes met, and I saw the storm brewing in hers, just as I knew she saw mine.
I realized this battle was far from over. But I also knew I’d never back down. Months passed, and while the arguments became less frequent, the underlying resentment remained.
One evening, as I watched all four girls playing in the backyard, Gaby approached me. “They look happy,” she said. I nodded, not taking my eyes off the children.
“They do.”
She turned to me, her expression hard. “But it could’ve been better for all of them if you’d just listened to me.”
I met her gaze steadily. “No, Gaby.
It wouldn’t have been better. It would’ve been unfair and disrespectful.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I held up a hand. “This discussion is over.
It has been for months.”
As she stormed off, a surge of sadness and relief engulfed me. Gaby had shown her true colors, and while it pained me to see our marriage strained, I knew I’d done the right thing. She’d learned quickly that I wasn’t a pushover.
If she thought she could waltz into our lives and rewrite the rules for her benefit, she had another thing coming. This was the wake-up call she needed, harsh as it might be. I’d made my stance crystal clear: Edith’s legacy for our children was untouchable.
Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. And seeing Gaby come to terms with the fact that she couldn’t manipulate or bully me into submission? It was worth every second!
As I watched my daughters laugh and play, my heart swelled with a determination to be the best father I could be. I’d protected what mattered most: their future and the memory of their mother. Whatever challenges lay ahead with Gaby, I knew I’d face them head-on, just as I’d done from the start.
Do you have any opinions on this? Source: amomama
