A few years ago, I fell in love with a woman I believed was perfect for me. The only issue was that she had a son, and I never wanted children. Still, I thought love would help us work through it. After we married, I moved into her house and became the sole provider. My wife doesn’t work, and her ex doesn’t pay child support—so I’ve been covering all of my stepson’s expenses.
Lately, though, I’ve wanted to change careers. Every time I try to save money for that goal, something new comes up that drains my savings. When I talked to my wife about it, she reassured me these were temporary setbacks. Yet almost immediately after that conversation, she asked for more money, which made me feel like I was being used.
A few days ago, I overheard her talking to her ex, asking him for money for their son’s football practice—the exact reason she had asked me for money the week before. Curious, I asked my stepson about it. That’s when I learned the truth: my wife has been secretly receiving child support from her ex since before we got married.
I felt betrayed. My stepson even admitted his mom sees me “as a wallet.” Now I’m torn—should I confront her, or stay quiet for his sake?
