My Husband Refused to Pay Half the $9,000 Hospital Bill After I Gave Birth —

After 19 hours of labor birthing our daughter Lila, I received a $9,347 hospital bill. Expecting support, I was stunned when my husband, John, coldly said, “Your bill, your problem.” His refusal to share the cost of our child’s birth, despite splitting other expenses, felt like a betrayal. I set up a payment plan and stopped doing small wifely tasks like packing his lunches or reminding him of appointments, mirroring his logic. Tensions escalated until I

exposed his words at a family dinner, showing his dismissive texts. Humiliated, John faced disapproval from our parents. Later, he apologized, citing financial stress, but I demanded partnership or divorce. The next day, he paid half the bill. In therapy, we’re unraveling his view of love as a transaction, learning that true partnership is a lifeline, not a ledger.