Confused, upset and four months pregnant, I told him I needed some space. I went back to my old home, a short drive away in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. But over the next few weeks, Terrance begged for forgiveness. ‘I can’t lose you or our baby,’ he pleaded.
Softening, all I wanted was for the kids to have a stable family unit. So I agreed to give him one more chance. I went into labour shortly after and, on 11 December 2014, watching him gently cradle our newborn son, Rio, I was sure I’d made the right decision.
The dark side
Only, while I looked after Jack and a new baby, Terrance started drinking again and his controlling behaviour returned.
Clever and manipulative, he’d use the baby as ammunition. He’d tell me to stay at home, as Rio needed a feed, or I couldn’t see my friends, as Rio needed me. With his taunts about me being a ‘bad mum’ ringing in my ears, I was desperate to prove myself and I obeyed him, slowly isolating myself from family and friends.
Then, in December 2015, I fell pregnant again. This time, Terrance flew at me. ‘Abort it,’ he said bluntly. ‘I don’t want another baby with you.’ In that moment, I saw him for the callous bully he was. Gathering all my strength, I told him I didn’t want to be with him any more.
I finally confided the abuse to my parents and sister Hayley, then 34. Shocked, they helped me move out with the kids. But Terrance still tried to control everything. With Christmas Day coming up, he texted, demanding to pick Rio up at 1pm when he knew we’d be eating Christmas lunch. ‘I’ll drop him over at 4pm,’ I typed back. But he didn’t reply.
It was hard to think I’d be facing Christmas as a single mum again, but I was determined to make it the best I could for the children.
Under attack
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 26 2016-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 26 2016-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?