I (35F) have been married to my husband Michael (39M) for 5 years. Before me, Michael was married to his high school sweetheart “Lauren” for 12 years until she left him for another man. Their divorce was messy and Michael was devastated.
It took him years to recover. Yesterday, Michael got a call that his ex had passed away unexpectedly. I overheard him crying on the phone with Lauren’s sister, who invited him to the funeral. After he hung up, I told him point-blank that I didn’t want him going to the funeral.
“Are you serious right now?” he asked incredulously. “My ex-wife just di:ed. Have some empathy!” “Empathy? For the woman who ripped your heart out and left you a broken mess that I had to piece back together? I don’t think so,” I retorted.
“If you go to that funeral, I’ll know that you still have feelings for her.” His outburst shook me to the core when his eyes flashed with anger.
“Don’t be so insecure. Just because I’m grieving someone I loved for over a decade doesn’t mean I’m still in love with her! I’m going to the funeral to pay my respects and get closure, not to rekindle an old flame.”
“If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back,” I threatened. “I’m not Lauren. I won’t abandon our marriage,” Michael said sadly.
“But your jealousy and lack of trust really hurts. This controlling behavior is not okay. I’m going to the funeral, and I hope you can find it in your heart to be okay with that.”
Michael packed a bag and left for the funeral two states away. Now, I’m sitting here alone, reeling from his revelation and outburst.
Did I overreact in trying to forbid him from going? Or was I justified in feeling threatened and betrayed? Tell me NISE, am I the villain in this situation?
