On a crisp October morning, Harry was buzzing with anticipation for his gaming app presentation. He barely noticed his wife, Sara, and their sons, Cody and Sonny, as he grabbed a piece of toast and headed back to his room.
“Sara, where’s my white shirt?” he yelled.
“It’s in the laundry with the whites,” she replied.
“That’s my lucky shirt! I needed it for today!” Harry snapped, furious that Sara had mixed it with other laundry.
“You’re overreacting. Your presentation is what matters,” Sara said calmly.
“This is a big day for me, and you’re making excuses?” Harry retorted, raising his voice. “You sit at home all day doing nothing!”
“Harry, stop. The kids are watching,” Sara pleaded.
Harry stormed out, ignoring her protests.
After a successful presentation, Harry expected Sara to call with an apology, but there was no contact. Returning home with white roses, he found the apartment empty and a note from Sara reading, “I want a divorce.”
Panicked, Harry called Sara’s sister, Zara, who informed him Sara was in the hospital. At the hospital, Zara confronted Harry. “You told her she wasn’t ‘wife’ enough for you?”
Harry met with the doctor, who informed him Sara had a mild heart attack and needed rest. When Harry visited her, she was resolute. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m done. The only thing I want is a divorce.”
Harry pleaded, but Sara was firm. “It’s too late for apologies. I feel ancient, and I just despise you. The kids will stay with you.”
After collecting his sons from Zara, Harry struggled to balance work and parenting. His job performance suffered, and he was eventually fired. At a custody trial, Sara sought custody of the children, claiming she had the right as their mother despite her earlier abandonment.
Harry, now managing a freelance job, tried to prove he could support the kids. Sara, who had been working as an interior designer, insisted she wouldn’t abandon them again.
The verdict granted Sara custody, with Harry having visitation rights and paying $860 monthly in child support. On the day of the custody exchange, the children expressed their desire to stay with both parents.
“We want both Mommy and Daddy!” Sonny said, tears streaming down his face.
Sara, overwhelmed by their plea, hugged them tightly, her resolve wavering.
