When I married Nick, I thought I knew the man I was spending my life with. We’d been together for five years before we tied the knot, and those years had been filled with laughter, love, and a strong sense of partnership. We rarely argued and felt as though we were always on the same team.
Nick was charming, funny, and had a way of lighting up any room he walked into. He worked in marketing—not his dream job, but a stable one that allowed us to live comfortably. On the other hand, I was an attorney who had worked hard to build my career. I was handling high-profile cases and earning more than Nick ever did, but we were both fine with that. I was proud of what I had accomplished, and Nick was supportive of my success.
There was one thing Nick wanted more than anything else—a son.
“I can already picture it,” he would say, his face lighting up with excitement. “Teaching him how to play baseball, fixing up a car together—giving him everything I never had.”
I wasn’t opposed to having children, but my career was a priority, and I wasn’t in a rush to start a family. Nick understood that, and instead of pressuring me, he made a promise: “When we have our son, I’ll stay home with him. You’ve worked so hard for your career. I want you to keep doing what you love, and I’ll take care of the baby.”
His promise touched me deeply. I felt reassured and believed him completely.
After a couple of years of trying, I finally got the news I was waiting for—two pink lines. Nick was ecstatic, practically lifting me off the ground when he found out. He told everyone he knew, from his coworkers to his gym buddies, that he was going to be a stay-at-home dad.
The pregnancy wasn’t easy, but knowing how excited Nick was made it easier to endure. We decorated the nursery together, read books on baby care, and even practiced swaddling a stuffed bear. When our baby finally arrived, I was overwhelmed with love. Nick, teary-eyed, looked at our son and whispered, “He’s perfect.”
However, after bringing our son home, things started to change.
In the beginning, everything was chaotic. Sleepless nights and nonstop baby care left me exhausted, but I kept reminding myself, “Nick’s got this. We’re a team.” But over time, I began to notice subtle shifts in his behavior.
Every night, when our baby cried, Nick hesitated to get up. If I didn’t immediately tend to the baby, he would sigh and say, “He needs you more than me.” During the day, it was the same story. “Can you change him? I just sat down,” he would say. I kept telling myself that it was just an adjustment phase, that he was still learning, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.
One evening, I was nursing our son while trying to answer work emails. Nick walked in, looked at me for a moment, and then casually said, “Honestly, I’ve been thinking… maybe you should quit your job and stay home with him full-time.”
At first, I thought he was joking, but when I looked up, he was dead serious.
“You didn’t think I was serious about staying home, did you?” he said, smirking. “All moms stay home. I thought your natural instincts would kick in.”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. “Nick, do you remember what you promised me?” I said, trying to stay calm. “You said you would stay home with him. You promised me that I wouldn’t have to give up my career.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Plans change.”
I felt my anger rise. “No, Nick. You changed.”
His response was infuriating. “I just thought once the baby was here, you’d feel differently. You know, like most moms do.”
I clenched my fists, struggling to contain my frustration. “Nick, I worked hard to get where I am. I didn’t just wake up one day and become an attorney. I’ve worked my ass off, and you promised that I wouldn’t have to give up my career.”
Nick’s tone became dismissive. “Look, it’s not that big of a deal. I just think the baby needs you more. It’s selfish to put your career before your kid.”
The word “selfish” felt like a slap in the face.
“Selfish?” I repeated, my voice shaking. “You think I’m selfish for wanting to keep my career?”
“Yeah, I do,” he said, not backing down.
I stared at him, trying to hold back tears. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had worked so hard to get where I was, and now Nick, the man who had promised to stay home with our child, was trying to make me feel guilty for wanting to keep my career.
The next morning, I sat down with him and said, “You’re right. I’ll quit my job.”
His face lit up. “Really?”
“Yep,” I said calmly, “but there’s one condition.”
Nick leaned in, eager. “What’s the condition?”
“The day I quit my career is the same day we file for divorce.”
His smile faded. “What? You’re serious?”
“I’ve worked my entire life for this career, and if you want me to quit, I will. But if I do, I’ll never respect you again. You broke your promise, Nick. You made me believe we were a team, but now you’re trying to take everything from me. I’ll leave my job, but you’ll pay child support based on the salary I should have been making. And I’ll take full custody of our son because I refuse to raise him with a man who doesn’t keep his promises.”
Nick looked stunned. He didn’t know how to respond. Later that evening, he packed a bag and went to stay at his parents’ house.
The next day, his mom called me. “We’re on your side,” she said. “Nick’s dad had some strong words for him. He doesn’t get to break his promises to you.”
A few days later, Nick came back. This time, he was quieter and seemed genuinely remorseful. “I was scared,” he admitted. “I thought I could handle it, but when it got tough, I panicked. I pushed it onto you because I didn’t know what else to do.”
He apologized sincerely, and we talked things through. We decided to try again. I kept my career, and Nick stepped up. He took on more responsibilities at home, doing night feedings, cooking meals, and even doing baby care while I worked. We hired a part-time nanny to help on my long workdays.
Months went by, and Nick became the father he had always promised to be. While it wasn’t always easy, we learned how to work together. Every now and then, I remind him, “I was serious about the divorce, you know.”
He grins and replies, “Yeah, and I’m never risking that again.”
Lesson learned: Never break your promises—especially when you make them to a lawyer.
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
