We started as friends–friends who called each other and helped each other. He was married but I knew him before he got married. Our friendship started long ago before his marriage. At some point, he caught feelings for me and started making his feelings obvious for me to see. It wasn’t my intention to date a married man so I turned away, pretending I hadn’t seen what he was trying to show me.

He was subtle about it at first. When he realized I was not getting it, he came out of the woods. He was vocal about it this time. He said, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me but for some time now, my feelings for you have changed. I want more than this. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

I said no and I meant it. But he pushed and pushed until I decided to give it a try. But before I accepted his proposal, I asked him, “What if someone comes along? You’re married but I’m not. Can I say yes to the person if I also love him?” His answer was, “I wish I could have you all to myself but I can’t be that selfish so yes, you can date someone but please let me know when the time comes.”

So for two years, I was faithful to him. He became everything I needed in a man so I saw no need to date someone else. He provided my physical needs and was there when I needed emotional support. If there was something I needed to buy and I told him about it, he would say, “Your wish is my command” and get it for me. He bought a lot of things for me and I followed him wherever he wanted me to follow.

Two years later, Joshua appeared from nowhere and made me fall in love with him. I see in Joshua what I never saw in any man ever since I started dating the married man. I wanted to hide the relationship from the married man but both of them were intense. They all wanted me at the same time so I had to play my cards very well. I decided to tell the married man about Joshua so he would lower his expectations of me going forward. It was part of the agreement from the onset so I thought it wouldn’t cause any problems.

I told him about Joshua. He asked questions and I answered. He asked, “So you love him more than you love me?” I answered, “I don’t have the tools to measure the depth of love so I can’t tell.” He concluded, “Then it means you love him more and that hurts.” I asked, “Between me and your wife, who do you love more?” He stuttered. He tried to lie but lies deserted him. I said, “It’s like that so let’s keep things as they are. Love is not a competition.”

I told him about Joshua but I don’t think so much has changed from my side. I still call. We text. When he needs me, I’m available. He travels with me when the need arises. I make time for him just as I did when there was no Joshua but he has changed. He has stopped being kind. He doesn’t provide it even when I ask him. He gives me excuses and sometimes tells me to take it from Joshua. I felt he wasn’t being fair so we had a conversation about it. He told me, “If I keep providing everything you need, what then becomes of Joshua? What’s his role in your life?”

He has stopped providing, yet expects provisions from me. I should give him time, sex and support yet when I ask something from him, he tells me, “We are two now so I can’t be the one to always provide. Go to Joshua. Let him be a man.”

I decided enough was enough. I called him on the phone and told him it was over. “There’s Joshua and you know it. It’s the reason you won’t do anything for me. That’s OK. I choose Joshua going forward. If he was the only one I had, I would know how to manage. Goodbye and enjoy your marriage.”

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He got angry and started screaming, “After everything I’ve done for you? You’ll leave me because of that boy? No that won’t happen. I won’t understand.”

We exchanged words. I wasn’t angry at first but he made me angry. He went too far, enumerating every single thing he had ever done for me as if he owned my life. I told him my mind and ended the call. He called but I didn’t pick up.

Now, he wants to take everything he has ever bought for me, saying, “I can’t work for someone to enjoy. He should also buy for you what you need. He can’t enjoy mine.”

He wants the fridge back. The small washing machine he bought, he wants it back. The rice cooker, the toaster, the TV he won as the best employee and gave it to me, he wants it back. The phone I’m typing on, the curtains, the doormat, my life. He wants everything back.

I called off his bluff and told him in plain words that if he wants all that then he should also return the sex and the time I wasted with him. He thinks that’s immaterial and insists on getting his things back. He came to my place to cause a scene. That was when I realized he was serious about it.

I told him, “If you try anything funny, your wife will know everything. I have screenshots. I’ve recorded this fight. I will show her videos. Your marriage will fall on its knees if you dare me. I will give you a showdown!”

I thought that would scare him. Right there he mentioned his wife’s contact to me and screamed, “That’s her number. Call her. Do you think I’m scared? Or you think bringing my wife into this will make me coil and run for cover? You got it wrong. Call her and let me call Joshua and also take my things away.”

I shivered. My only weapon is not ‘weaponing‘. My stronghold has fallen flat while he keeps coming at me to take what belongs to him.

I’m tired of the drama. Every new day is a new drama from this man. I never knew he could be this petty. I have some tough guys who live around. I’ve narrated the story to them and they are willing to come to my rescue. When he comes around and tries to take the things with force, I’ll call these guys as a support system.

But I still think I can use his wife in a way. He should be scared of losing his marriage but the way he behaved when I mentioned his wife, it sounded like he didn’t care at all. Or he’s bluffing. He did that just to mellow me?

Honestly, I don’t want things to get to that level. He should leave me alone and I’ll also leave his life without a trace. But if he pushes me to the ground, I’ll get up and destroy his marriage too. Is it a good idea? I have something to lose so he should also lose something. Is it wrong for me to target his marriage? Considering what he’s taking me through?

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—Dansoa

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