Confession of Husband towards her Son

I’m the only son to my parents. Growing up, I experienced many childhood traumas. My father, though a gem at heart, was an alcoholic, which led to my parents separating for a few years. During that time, my mother sold her house to ensure I had a better education and future. Eventually, my father worked hard to reunite our family.

I got married 3.5 years ago. Initially, my wife and mother had minor arguments, but my wife started sharing everything with her mother, who encouraged her to use abusive language. I overheard this by accident, confronted her, and after a heated argument, she apologized. I forgave her and asked her not to repeat it.

Months later, I made the grave mistake of losing my temper and hitting her. She left but later returned on the condition that we live as a nuclear family, away from my parents. I agreed, as I didn’t want to lose her. However, I kept this decision from my parents, fearing it would hurt them. When my wife became pregnant, we informed our parents. My mother and father were overjoyed and visited us, offering to help with the household chores so my wife could rest.

However, their stay extended beyond ten days, which made my wife uncomfortable. She started fighting with them again, prompting my parents to leave abruptly. They traveled overnight without having dinner. I chose not to fight with her, prioritizing peace during her pregnancy. A few days later, her mother visited, and I realized the fight was instigated because my wife wanted her mother to come over instead. My wife and my mother stopped talking after this incident. For the baby shower, her mother visited my mother to discuss arrangements. My mother initially refused to attend, feeling disrespected. I convinced her, and eventually, the event went well. We were blessed with a baby boy.

Three months later, my mother-in-law went abroad for her daughter-in-law’s delivery. We invited my wife and son to stay with my parents during this time, but she refused. She chose to stay at her parents’ house with her father, doing all the work herself. This hurt my parents deeply. My wife never brought our son to visit my parents; instead, I had to visit them every weekend to see him. She later demanded we move to a separate house or she would stay permanently at her parents’ home. I was shattered but agreed to her demand, as I didn’t want to lose her. For almost a year, she stayed at her parents’ house. I couldn’t face my parents or relatives during this time.

Then, tragedy struck. My father suffered a stroke and became bedridden. Being the only son, I had to take care of him, but this strained my already fragile relationship with my wife. My son began forgetting my face because I could only see him occasionally. I was torn between my responsibilities to my parents and my son. My wife’s toxicity worsened. She disrespected me constantly and refused to compromise. Despite my pleas, she allowed my parents only 30 minutes a week with my son, even though she could stay at her parents’ house for weeks or months. Her family had full access to my son, while my parents were denied the same.

At one point, I suggested a compromise: we live in the same house as my parents but on different floors, so I could take care of my father. She refused and continued threatening to leave me. I didn’t want my son to face the trauma I had as a child, so I kept sacrificing and agreeing to her demands. Now, my father is on his deathbed. I spend some time taking care of him-cleaning, feeding, and helping him sleep. This angers my wife, who criticizes me for spending time with my parents. I know my father won’t be with me forever, so I want to make the most of the time I have left with him.

Her toxicity has pushed me to the brink of despair. My son is the only reason I continue to endure this. My mother, too, stopped talking to me because I took a stand for my wife. I’m stuck between a toxic wife, an egoistic mother, and my dying father. Is it possible to live with my son alone?

Question:

Should I stay with my wife or leave her?

Option 1: Stay with your wife and leave your parents.

Option 2: Stay with your parents and leave your wife.

Option 3: Stay with your wife and accept the fate.

Option 4: Stay away from both and start a new life with your son.