At first glance it appears this story should go in the section with love stories. It should become obvious this story is about personal commitment rather than love.
It was a perfect marriage--on paper. They had both had their trials. Kevin had been in a serious accident as a teenager which left him with some physical discomfort and lot of guilt. Ashley's first marriage had been an unwise decision, which she deeply regretted. With no children, she left the marriage and renewed her commitment to God.
They met through mutual friends who thought they were perfect for each other. After dating for two years, they married with the blessings of family and friends.
Kevin had grown up in a foreign country as the oldest child of missionaries. Fluent in two languages, he started a new sales position and was overwhelming successful. He purchased a house two months before the wedding, with the blessings of his soon-to-be wife.
Ashley had grown up in a strict Christian home, earned her college degree, and acquired a teaching position. It has broken her parents hearts when she chose to marry her first husband. Now they couldn't have been more pleased with her decision.
Thus two Christians, successful in their careers, and committed to God joined their hearts and hands to start a new life together. It was a perfect marriage--until
They met through mutual friends who thought they were perfect for each other. After dating for two years, they married with the blessings of family and friends.
Kevin had grown up in a foreign country as the oldest child of missionaries. Fluent in two languages, he started a new sales position and was overwhelming successful. He purchased a house two months before the wedding, with the blessings of his soon-to-be wife.
Ashley had grown up in a strict Christian home, earned her college degree, and acquired a teaching position. It has broken her parents hearts when she chose to marry her first husband. Now they couldn't have been more pleased with her decision.
Thus two Christians, successful in their careers, and committed to God joined their hearts and hands to start a new life together. It was a perfect marriage--until
Ashley began to notice that Kevin wasn't home very often. Most of the time he was entertaining customers to acquire more sales accounts. She understood and admired his desire to be successful, but grew awful tired of sitting home alone.
Kevin's dad noticed the problem and discussed it with him one day. The long-married missionary explained that marriage was a job that needed as much attention as a career. Kevin understood and began to stay home more.
Kevin's dad noticed the problem and discussed it with him one day. The long-married missionary explained that marriage was a job that needed as much attention as a career. Kevin understood and began to stay home more.
The new-found togetherness lasted about a month and then Kevin was once again gone often.
Ashley noticed Kevin was displaying several odd behaviors. He always seemed to know where she was although she didn't know where he was. She could make an unexpected stop at the store on the way home from work and he would suddenly drive up behind her. He seemed to call her cell phone every time she left the house. His first question was always "Where are you?"
Ashley began to realize that she didn't know much about the family financial standing. She was not on the banking accounts. Her name wasn't on the house mortgage. She didn't know the passwords to any of the banking, email, or bills. She had no idea how much money Kevin earned or how much the bills were. When she asked, Kevin always replied, "You know." He never really answered her questions.
One night Kevin was late coming home. His excuse was so ridiculous that Ashley didn't believe it for one minute. When he did get home, he received several texts for about two hours. That night after he fell asleep, she checked his phone and found no texts. The next morning when she asked him about it, he checked his phone and said, "No, I didn't get any texts last night." In the next few days she discussed the situation with her family and a few trusted friends. Not one person believed his story. She began to investigate their finances and found a lot of secrets.
She found several apps on his phone. One allowed him to track her every move. Two others allowed him to call or text someone without showing on their joint phone account.
Ashley noticed Kevin was displaying several odd behaviors. He always seemed to know where she was although she didn't know where he was. She could make an unexpected stop at the store on the way home from work and he would suddenly drive up behind her. He seemed to call her cell phone every time she left the house. His first question was always "Where are you?"
Ashley began to realize that she didn't know much about the family financial standing. She was not on the banking accounts. Her name wasn't on the house mortgage. She didn't know the passwords to any of the banking, email, or bills. She had no idea how much money Kevin earned or how much the bills were. When she asked, Kevin always replied, "You know." He never really answered her questions.
One night Kevin was late coming home. His excuse was so ridiculous that Ashley didn't believe it for one minute. When he did get home, he received several texts for about two hours. That night after he fell asleep, she checked his phone and found no texts. The next morning when she asked him about it, he checked his phone and said, "No, I didn't get any texts last night." In the next few days she discussed the situation with her family and a few trusted friends. Not one person believed his story. She began to investigate their finances and found a lot of secrets.
She found several apps on his phone. One allowed him to track her every move. Two others allowed him to call or text someone without showing on their joint phone account.
Ashley knew she was married to man who wasn't being faithful, which was something she couldn't abide. She began gathering evidence and preparing to leave. She was heartbroken and disappointed. She had married a man who was everything a husband should be and then learned he wasn't at all who she thought he was.
Ashley had some difficult decisions to make. She was getting conflicting advice. Some said, gather all the evidence and use it as leverage to get a settlement out of the marriage. Others said, knowing that he was a liar and manipulator, she should gather the information and present it to his parents. This would prevent him from tarnishing her reputation and emotionally crush him. Still some thought she should ignore the behavior and continue in the marriage.
Ashley had some difficult decisions to make. She was getting conflicting advice. Some said, gather all the evidence and use it as leverage to get a settlement out of the marriage. Others said, knowing that he was a liar and manipulator, she should gather the information and present it to his parents. This would prevent him from tarnishing her reputation and emotionally crush him. Still some thought she should ignore the behavior and continue in the marriage.
How should this story end? Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I'll complete the story with the scenario that receives the most comments.
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