I ended my four-year relationship with my ex last month. It broke me but staying in the relationship was worse. As a Yoruba boy from Osun State, I’ve always believed deeply in love. I’m the kind of person who will do everything possible to make a relationship work. I give my all but it never ends well. This one in particular hits me the hardest.

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From the very first day I met her in 2021, she never stopped cheating. As the relationship progressed, it dawned on me that I was always her last option. She would be sweet and loving to me until someone new came along. My feelings didn’t matter to her.

She is a fine girl. Everywhere she went, she got all the attention. Men would see me walking by her side, yet look at her as if they want to devour her in my presence. And she loved to give herself away to these men.

I caught her red-handed eight times. Each time, she had an explanation. “Oh, it’s not what it looks like.” “It’s not what you think.” This girl could lie for a whole nation. Whenever I confronted her, she would spin tales until I ended up feeling like I was the problem.

I loved her deeply. I didn’t want to lose her. So I kept trying to adjust and meet her every demand, even when it cost me my peace and happiness.

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I don’t know how long I expected to keep dancing to her tunes but one day I decided I had enough. I know it’s hard to walk away from someone you love but in my experience, staying with someone who doesn’t value and respect you is worse.

I had to let her go when I couldn’t bear it anymore. It took me a while but I am glad I finally broke free. Love is not supposed to hurt. I know that now. So I am going to wait however long it takes for me to find genuine love. If it comes with pain, I am not staying.

—Femi

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