My Husband Ditched Our Sick Kids for a Vacation—But the Lesson I Taught Him Will Haunt Him Forever!

My Husband Forced Me to Stay Home with Our Sick Kids While He Went on Vacation — He’ll Never Forget the Lesson I Taught Him

My spouse abandoned us and traveled alone when our children became sick and prevented us from going on our intended family vacation. He had no idea that his small excursion for “me time” would end up costing far more than he had anticipated.

It was 8:30 p.m. when I came in the front door, my feet hurting from a demanding 12-hour shift at the hospital. The sound of cartoons blaring on the TV and Zach and Penny screaming as they chased each other around the living room hit me like a brick wall.

And there was Garrett, beer in hand, stretched out on the couch like a washed-up whale.

He said, “Hey, babe,” without even looking up from his phone. “Rough day?”

I swallowed a mocking retort. “That’s something you could say. It was chaos in the ER.” I looked around at the toy and food wrapper catastrophe zone that surrounded him. “Did you feed the kids dinner?”

Garrett gave a shrug. “Earlier, they had some chips. When you got home, I assumed you would want to cook.”

I counted to ten while I closed my eyes. Over the past few years, this had come to be our new normal. After rescuing lives, I would return home to an untidy house and a husband who didn’t want to do anything.

“Mommy!” Penny, her blond pigtails disheveled, clung to my leg. “I’m starving!”

I feigned a laugh. “All right, my love. Let’s grab some decent food for you two.”

While reheating leftovers, thoughts of our impending beach vacation crossed my mind. Perhaps a shift in environment would facilitate our reconnection and serve as a reminder to Garrett of our initial love.

“So, you packed for the trip yet?” Placing dishes in front of the children, I asked.

Garrett let out a grunt. “No, tomorrow I’ll put some stuff in a bag. Not a huge concern.”

I exhaled. “Garrett, we’re leaving in two days. A little preparation wouldn’t be fatal.”

He rolled his eyes. It’ll be alright, just relax. You fret excessively.”

I heard someone retching when I woke up the night before our flight. Zach’s pallid, clammy face was slumped over the toilet. In just 60 minutes, Penny too became ill.

During breakfast, I softly informed Garrett of the situation. “The trip will have to be postponed. The youngsters are sick with a stomach ailment.”

With the fork halfway to his lips, he froze. “What? Not in a manner. This is something I’ve been anticipating for months!”

“I understand, but they are too ill to go. We can reschedule.

Garrett tightened his jaw. “I’m still going.”

I looked at him, certain that I had misheard. “Excuse me?”

“It seems that you heard me. Nora, I need this vacation. Work has been crazy recently.”

“And my job isn’t?” I lost my temper. “Gerald, I work as a nurse. Every day, I handle actual situations.”

He sneered. It is not a contest. See, you remain with the children. I’ll head over to enjoy the beach with you both.”

Ignoring the dejected looks on the faces of Zach and Penny, I watched in shock as he packed his suitcase. Something in me snapped as the front door closed behind him.

The week that followed was terrible. I balanced taking care of two unhappy kids and feeling angry every time Garrett posted a gloating selfie on the beach.

My phone buzzed with another picture on Friday. It showed Garrett smiling while sipping an expensive cocktail, with the comment, “Living the dream!”

And that was all. I had a plan, and I’d had enough.

Entering the garage, I strode around Garrett’s prized “man cave.” His pricey crap that he’d accumulated over the years, his fishing gear, and the boat he’d hardly used. I had a plan in my head.

For the following three hours, I took pictures of everything and made listings on the neighborhood buy-and-sell website. Garrett’s treasured belongings vanished in a matter of days, to be replaced with a large wad of cash in my purse.

“Guess what, kids?” I made the announcement during breakfast. “We’re going on our own special vacation!”

Their eyes gleamed. Zach gave a fist pump. Fantastic! “Where are we heading?”

I smiled. It’s unexpected. However, I can assure you that it will surpass Dad’s dull and outdated beach.”

A few days later, the kids were jumping with excitement as we arrived at the resort. I felt lighter than I have in years as I watched them swim around in the water.

“Mom, watch this!” With a cannonball attempt, Zach yelled. I gave a cheer and went to assist Penny in inflating her water wings.

“You’re very good with them,” someone said from behind me. I turned to find a smiling woman who seemed about my age. “Single mom?”

I wavered. “It’s… complicated.”

With knowledge, she gave a nod. “I have experienced that. Tell me who you are, Tessa.”

We exchanged stories about our jobs and parenting as the children played. Making a connection with someone who got it felt fantastic.

“So, what’s your story?” As she sipped her lemonade, Tessa questioned.

I exhaled. “After the kids fell ill, my spouse made the decision to travel alone on our family vacation. He partied on the beach, leaving me to handle everything.”

Tessa’s gaze expanded. “Really? What an asshole!”

I gave a nod. Yes, that was the final straw. I’ve endured his self-centeredness for years, but this was too much for me to handle.”

She questioned, “So what did you do?”

A sly smile slowly appeared on my face. “I sold all his precious toys and used the money to bring the kids here.”

Tessa started giggling. “Oh my goodness, it is really clever! What was his reaction?

I said, “He doesn’t know yet.” “But I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.”

Just like clockwork, my phone began to buzz. The name of Garrett flickered on the screen.

Speaking of the devil, I said in a whisper. “I should probably take this.”

Tessa nodded encouragingly at me. “Go get ’em, tiger.”

I moved away from the swimming area and inhaled deeply before responding. “Hello?”

“Where the hell is all my stuff?” Garrett yelled without even trying to say hello.

I was strangely at ease as I rested against a palm tree. “Oh, you become aware of it? You’d be too busy ‘living the dream,’ I assumed, to give a damn.”

“Nora, don’t play games. How did you act?”

Just saying, “I sold it,” “Everything. Everything, even your boat that you never use and your priceless fishing gear.”

A moment of startled quiet fell. Then, “You know what? How on earth did you manage that?”

“How could I?” I broke off, raising my voice. “How could you take a beach vacation instead of staying with your ill kids? How are you going to overlook all that I do for this family?”

“That is not the same! To provide for you, I work very hard.”

“And I don’t?” I fired back. Garrett, I’m through. I’m over your conceit and being taken advantage of.”

“What are you saying?” he wailed.

I inhaled deeply. “I’m saying I want a divorce.”

The line became silent. Garrett’s voice was low and sinister as he spoke again. “Nora, you’ll regret this. I will ensure it.”

With trembling palms, I hung up. A portion of me desired to cry, lamenting the life we had created together. Much of it, nevertheless, felt… liberated.

I strolled towards the swimming pool, where Tessa was savoring a mixed drink.

“Everything okay?” she questioned, her face showing signs of worry.

I managed a tiny smile as I nodded. Indeed, I believe it will be. I recently informed my spouse that I desire a divorce.”

Tessa’s gaze expanded. “Whoa, it is very significant. What is your emotional state?”

“Scared,” I said. “But also feeling relieved? As if I can now breathe at last.”

She gave my hand a squeeze. “That is entirely typical. It gets better, I assure you.”

We played with the youngsters for the remainder of the afternoon, creating beautiful sandcastles and making splashes in the waves. It was the first time in years that I felt truly content.

Zach gave me a serious look as I tucked the kids into bed that night. “Mom, are you and Dad getting divorced?”

My throat tightened around my breath. “Why do you ask that, sweetie?”

He gave a shrug. “Over the phone, I heard you. You appear to be happier here without him, too.”

I took a seat on the edge of his bed and spoke slowly. “Your dad and I haven’t been getting along for a long. We’ll give it our best go at working things out, but divorce is a real possibility.”

Zach gave a serious nod. “All right. Mom, as long as you’re content. That is the important thing.

My eyes pricked with tears as I gave him a strong hug. “When did you get so wise, huh?”

I stood on the balcony, watching the moonlight dance on the waves after the kids went to sleep. My cell rang, alerting me to a text from Garrett:

“This is not finished. I’ll see you at the hearing.

I inhaled deeply, allowing the sea breeze to fill my lungs. Although I knew I had a difficult path ahead of me, I felt prepared to face everything.

Thinking about the unknown future we have ahead of us, I crawled into bed. It was thrilling as well as terrifying. I felt like I was taking charge of my life for the first time in a long time.

I dreamed of the new beginning that awaited me as I drifted off to sleep to the sound of the surf. Tomorrow would bring new difficulties.

How would you have responded in that situation?