Iris’s husband, Paul, left her and their two kids with just $20 for three days while he attended a wedding alone. Frustrated and determined, Iris made a bold decision that would leave Paul stunned when he returned.
Hi, I’m Iris. From the outside, our life may look perfect, but like many families, we face our own struggles. I’m a stay-at-home mom, raising our two energetic kids—Ollie, who’s eight, and Sophie, who’s six. My husband, Paul, has a stable job and is a loving father who enjoys spoiling the kids, but lately, things have felt off between us.
After our second child was born, Paul’s attention shifted more towards his work. The family time we used to have together started to disappear, and whenever I suggested doing something, he would dismiss it with excuses about stress or needing personal time. It hurt, but I tried to let it go—until last week.
Paul came home one day, excited to tell me he was going to a friend’s wedding for three days. I thought this might be a chance for us to enjoy some time away together, but my excitement quickly faded when he told me the invitation was just for him.
“Why not me?” I asked, disappointed.
He explained that his friend Alex wanted a small, intimate gathering without partners. It felt strange to me, so I couldn’t help but ask, “Are there going to be single women there?”
Paul’s mood instantly shifted. “Iris, come on,” he said, clearly annoyed. Trying to ease the tension, I joked, “Just kidding! Stay away from the single ladies, alright?”
Big mistake. What I intended as light teasing turned into a full-blown argument. Paul accused me of being controlling and distrustful, which hurt more than I expected. All I wanted was to feel closer to him, but instead, things escalated.
I couldn’t keep my frustration in. “I want to enjoy life too, Paul!” I shouted, my emotions spilling over. “What’s the point of having all this money if you’re never here?”
Then, to my shock, Paul pulled out a $20 bill and handed it to me, his face filled with sarcasm. “Here,” he said. “Run the house on this while I’m gone.”
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