It was evening already, and everything indicated that he’d forgotten again. This was the second year in a row that Allan had forgotten his anniversary with Claire. They had been dating for four years and were now both in their early 30s.
“I have more important things to think about,” Allan told Claire when she confronted him about it.
“Isn’t our relationship important?” Claire asked him.
“You’re too old to be judging how much I value our relationship by my remembrance of our anniversary,” Allan said, shrugging.
Claire had felt him grow increasingly distant in the last year. This was just one version of the same argument. She cried as she came to terms with his cold attitude towards her. The following morning, she watched him get ready for a housewarming party for one of his friends.
Claire knew his friend too, but since they were fighting, she didn’t attend the party. It gave her time to take stock of their relationship. When they got together, Allan had just graduated from university, and she was taking a hospitality course. She was with him as he worked at companies paying peanuts until he quit and started his own business, which was doing well. They were living in a lavish apartment, and he had a German auto.
“I’ve wasted so many years with Allan to walk away now,” she said to herself. She was willing to go to great lengths to rekindle their relationship.
Seven weeks later, Claire showed Allan a pregnancy test with two lines.
“I thought you were on the pill. How did this happen?” Allan asked her.
“Really? That’s your reaction?” Claire replied.
“I’m in shock. Give me time to process this,” Allan told her.
He took her to all the doctor’s appointments and gave her money to buy baby stuff. He wasn’t really affectionate, but he acted concerned about the pregnancy. Claire took that as a positive sign.
“My parents are asking when we’ll go to see them formally,” Claire told Allan.
“I think it’s best we wait for the baby’s arrival before planning wedding ceremonies. Those things trigger stress, and it’s not good for you,” Allan told her as he rubbed her feet.
All Claire heard was that he had thought of a wedding ceremony. It was enough to have Claire defend Allan to her family. Shortly after, as she entered the third trimester, Allan took Claire home to his mother. He had finally introduced her to his mother, and that was a huge deal for Claire. Her plan to salvage the relationship seemed to be working.
She was taken to visit Allan’s mother one more time before her delivery. When the time came to give birth, there were some complications, and she had to have an emergency C-section. She stayed in the hospital for a few days before she was discharged. Her family offered to take care of her as she recuperated, but Claire said she’d already made arrangements with Allan’s mother.
Claire’s mother was uncomfortable with the arrangement, seeing as Allan hadn’t yet gone to make his intentions known to them. They had a heated argument, but there was no dissuading Claire. Allan took her to his mother’s house immediately after the discharge.
Allan’s mother was kind to Claire. She knew what new mothers needed and lifted the burden of caring for a newborn as Claire’s wounds healed. She woke up to healthy, traditional food every day and to helping hands to hold the child so she could rest. Allan’s mother also taught her a lot about motherhood. The stay was as pleasant as it could be, except for the fact that Allan’s visits became fewer.
“Why are you not coming to see your people?” Allan’s mother asked him.
“I know they are in safe hands,” Allan told her as he gave her excuses about being busy at work.
“Claire is a good girl. She deserves better treatment,” said Allan’s mother.
Overcome with shame, he took it out on Claire.
“What have you been telling my mother?” Allan texted Claire later after his conversation with his mother.
“What are you talking about?” Claire inquired as she wasn’t aware of their conversation. Allan accused her of trying to manipulate his mother.
He sent money for the baby’s needs, but he still went for long periods without visiting them. It had been close to four months of Claire’s stay at Allan’s mother’s house when Allan’s mother summoned him home.
“What are your intentions with this girl?” Allan’s mother asked him.
“I don’t want to get married,” Allan told her.
“When did you realize this, and what about the child?” She asked.
“Mum, this wasn’t planned. I will provide for the child,” Allan replied.
“I cannot force you to get married, but Claire is a good woman. Release her, but I am not pleased with your actions,” said Allan’s mother.
Overcome with sadness, Claire left Allan’s mother’s house and went to nurse her broken heart at her mother’s home. It didn’t give her the peace of mind she had hoped for, with the constant reminders that her family had been suspicious of Allan’s intentions. However, she had some help with the child until she was able to move out to her own apartment.
Her relationship with Allan was tumultuous. Claire’s family prevented him from seeing the child while she was living with them. In turn, Allan withheld financial support. Claire reported him to his mother. It became a cycle of drama. Eventually, when Claire moved to her own space, she cut off all communication with Allan and his mother until she could figure out how to handle the whole situation.
Check out more stories
He Married Her Because She Was Pregnant But Not Because He Loved Her
I Thought He Was The One But It Ended With Me Being Alone And Pregnant
My Charming American Boyfriend Got Me Pregnant Then Started Abusing Me When I Moved To The States
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.