I’m twenty-nine years old. Perhaps I’m the most naïve woman in the world, because until recently I thought everything was fine in my family. And I was completely wrong in my belief.

Im twenty-nine. Perhaps Im the most naïve woman in Britain, since until recently, I thought everything in my family was just peachy. Turns out, I couldnt have been more wrong in my choice of husband Martin showed himself to be a proper cheat and a world-class egotist. I still cant wrap my head around what he did to me.
Martin and I have known each other for ten years, married for six. Hes the caring, attentive sort, the sort who made sure the kids and I didnt starve and kept a roof over our heads. Weve got two little ones: a son and a daughter. I even helped Martin get his business up and running. That company of his was raking in a tidy profit in pounds.
Meanwhile, I was slogging away as a sales assistant. Lately, though, I launched my own online shop for clothes. So, when my daughters at nursery and the little lads asleep, I get down to work and earn a bit for myself as well.
I used to hover around eight and a half stone. After the kids, though, I packed on three extra stone. First, I thought: Well, running after two children all day, surely Ill drop it. But, as luck would have it, nothings ever as straightforward as it looks, is it? I decided to get serious about losing weight: Healthy eating, exercise, gallons of water, and no scones or pastries in sight. The scales, however, stubbornly refused to budge. It really got me down, to be honest, and my confidence ended up in tatters.
After my second was born, I hardly recognised myself. I didnt feel feminine or attractive anymore. Martin, meanwhile, transformed before my very eyes. He stopped giving me a cuddle or even a peck on the cheek. Heaven knows when we even last had a normal chat. Our conversations became nothing more than a daily rundown of the kids schedules and shopping lists.
To be fair, I did used to feel much more confident before the kids. These days, I dread catching my reflection. I know things between us went downhill because of all this. So, I made up my mind to turn it around. One day, I thought Id surprise Martin at his office with a homemade lunch. I got to his doorand then I overheard this:
Sweetheart, dont worry, Ill come over after work. I told my wife Im snowed under with work. She hasnt got a clue you even exist!
I didnt go in. I just quietly turned on my heel and left.
So, he doesnt get it, does he? I gained weight bringing our actual, joint children into the world. Hes hardly Adonis himselfbit of a beer belly these days if you ask me. Yet he only sees whats wrong with me.
It almost makes me wonder if he actually thinks Im some kind of idiot.
I couldnt bring myself to tell Martin what Id heard. What on earth should I do? Start divorce proceedings? But the kidshow will they cope without their dad? Should I pretend nothings happened? I dont think Ive got the stomach for that.
For now, Ive decided to focus on myself. Ive signed up for the gym at the local leisure centre. First, Ill make Martin see exactly what hes lost; thenwell, well see what comes next.