From Bliss to Thiss

In my wildest dreams, I never expected to find or marry the perfect man. Still, as an American woman who met and married a younger Muslim man, from Pakistan, I was ecstatic when I was able to visit his country several times and become immersed in his culture and family life. With my husband by my side, I lived in bliss, with love and joy, for twelve years, until Mohammed's shocking revelation caused my world to shift towards darkness. I was torn between love and the harsh truth Mohammed had kept secret as he masterminded a series of calculated moves, using guilt, pressure, and persuasion, to exert control over my life and assets that would help him and his family financially. His scheme culminates in the rebuilding of my home, financed by my invested equity over the 30 years before I met him.

Mohammed used his love scam to get his citizenship and his name on my deed, then the facade of our marriage crumbled with a shocking revelation. Confronted with the devastating reality of divorce and betrayal, grappling with anger, pain, and uncertainty about my future, including the loss of everything I worked for, I had to find my inner strength to fight for my rights as I struggled to maintain ownership of my cherished home. The judge in the divorce case agreed that selling the house would be detrimental to my financial recovery without equity and allowed both of us to maintain ownership until the real estate market recovered and the mortgage equity improved. Mohammed was ordered to pay the full mortgage each month while living in an attached apartment.  He changed his persona to someone I couldn't recognize as soon as we arrived home. He refused to move. Taking him back to court only meant that my home and investment in my future would be gone; there would be nothing left if I were forced to sell. I could only try to cooperate, and through the next year, I knew I still loved him, so I kept the peace, until he dropped another bombshell and left alone, for Pakistan. 

When he returned, things got worse, and household peace became a thing of the past. For the next 12 years, I faced his intense anger, his face often contorted with rage and flushed with emotion. He unleashed a torrent of abuse and vile insults, through clenched teeth and bruising my arms, he became evil and menacing as he issued a chilling threat to me: "If you dare to interfere with my family, I will end your life, cut your body in pieces and spread you around the world." This marked a pivotal shift in the relationship, turning love into searing contempt and stirring a deep resolve within me to break free from this trap. That is when I secretly laid the groundwork for my escape.  While his anger and violent personality reigned, I patiently waited for the best time and the one thing that could either kill me or set me free from his deception and power over me.  

It took 10 years for me, and the real estate market, to gain the strength I needed to take my life back. I was ready for the next bombshell, and knew that this one would fall in a different direction.