When I walked through the front door, I found Jake and Tommy playing on the floor like everything was fine. Jake’s face lit up when he saw me. “Mom! You’re back!” he exclaimed, running to hug me.
I held him close, my heart aching. “Yes, sweetie. I missed you.”
Mark came out of the kitchen, surprised. “You’re back early?” he asked, as though nothing was wrong.
I didn’t answer right away. That evening, I made dinner—spaghetti and meatballs, Jake’s favorite. I didn’t ask Mark to help, nor did I mention what had happened. My focus was on making sure Jake and Tommy felt loved. When dinner was ready, I called the boys to the table and served Jake first, ensuring he had a full plate.
Mark stood nearby, waiting. After a few minutes, he finally asked, “Where’s my plate?”
I looked at him calmly. “I thought you’d want to have some special time with your food after we’re done, like you did with Jake.”
His face twisted in confusion. “That’s different,” he said.
“Is it?” I asked, meeting his eyes. “Because this is how you made Jake feel.”
Mark stood there, unsure of how to respond. I continued, “You made Jake feel like he doesn’t belong in our family, and that’s not okay.”
Mark remained quiet, clearly realizing the mistake he had made. After dinner, once the boys were in bed, I sat down with him to talk.
“I didn’t think it was a big deal,” he said. “I just wanted some time with Tommy. Jake has his own dad, so I thought it would be good for him to bond with him.”
I shook my head. “Jake is part of this family, Mark. When you married me, you married Jake too. You can’t make him feel like he’s less important.”
Mark sighed. “I didn’t mean to hurt him.”
“But you did,” I said gently. “Jake deserves to feel loved and included, just like Tommy.”
Mark nodded, understanding. “Okay,” he whispered. “I’ll do better.”
The next morning, I watched as Mark made breakfast for both boys, making an effort to include Jake in conversation. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
I wasn’t ready to fully forgive Mark yet, but I was hopeful that with time, we could move forward. Most importantly, I would always make sure Jake knew how much he was loved and valued.I Left My Son with My New Husband for a Work Trip – My Boy’s Audio Message Made Me Rush Home Immediately…