You married Charles when you were still young, and your love for him was simple but profound. He was just a fisherman, someone with little to his name, but he had saved you from drowning one fateful day when you were out on the water. You fell in love with his kindness, his gentle spirit, and the way he always put others before himself.

Your parents didn’t approve. He wasn’t rich, and they thought you deserved more — a man with wealth, a man with power. But none of that mattered to you. You were happy with Charles. Your life with him was peaceful, filled with the laughter of your three beautiful daughters.

But as the years passed, things started to change. Charles, who had always been able to provide enough for your family, began struggling. For weeks, then months, he returned home with empty hands, his catch for the day nonexistent. You noticed it, but you said nothing at first. Charles always wore a smile when he came home, his face full of warmth despite the burden he was carrying.

But soon, you began to feel the weight of your own unhappiness. You looked at your siblings — their lives were filled with luxury. They had everything they wanted, while you and your family were barely scraping by. You started to resent it, resent the way you had to live. You were tired of barely making ends meet. You hated seeing your daughters go without, knowing you couldn’t give them the things your siblings had.

One evening, as Charles came home again, empty-handed, his smile never faltering, something inside you snapped.

“Did you work so hard like this for me?” you asked, your voice trembling. “I feel like I’m a burden to you. We never have much money, we’re always struggling to buy food or pay bills.” Your words came out in a rush, each one more painful than the last.

Charles didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, looking at you with that same smile — but there was a sadness behind his eyes that made your heart ache.

“I try not to complain, but I can’t help it,” you continued, your frustration growing. “I hate seeing other people buy whatever they want, while we’re still stuck with debts, struggling to get by. Why can’t we have a better life, Charles?”

He took a deep breath, slowly walking toward you. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice soft. “I’m doing the best I can. You and the girls are my world. I know it’s hard, but I promise, I’m trying.”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at him. You didn’t want to hurt him, but the weight of everything was too much. You knew how hard he was trying, but in that moment, you felt so hopeless.