“It Just Happened: I Married Not for Love, but Out of Necessity. Turns Out, Eva Was Pregnant”: Neither of Us Were Thrilled About the Idea of Marriage. Our Parents Insisted

It was a chilly evening in November when I first met Eva at our mutual friend Bryan’s birthday bash. The party was lively, filled with people from all walks of life, but Eva stood out with her infectious laugh and sharp wit. We talked, we laughed, and for those few hours, it felt like we were the only two people in the room.

We started seeing each other casually after the party. Our meetings were sporadic, filled with long conversations and walks through the city parks. However, as winter turned into spring, our encounters became less frequent, and eventually, we drifted apart. It was a mutual and unspoken understanding that what we had was fleeting, just a brief chapter in our lives.

Then, out of the blue, in late August, I received a call from Eva. The tone of her voice was serious, a stark contrast to the light-hearted woman I remembered. She was pregnant, and the timing meant that I was the father. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. I was 24, just starting my career, and completely unprepared for fatherhood.

Eva and I met the next day to talk things over. The air between us was thick with anxiety and uncertainty. Neither of us had planned for this, and it was clear that neither of us harbored any romantic feelings anymore. However, the reality of our situation was inescapable.

Pressure from our families started almost immediately. Both sets of parents, steeped in more traditional values, insisted that marriage was the only acceptable path forward. They argued it would provide stability for the child and save us from social scrutiny. Caught in a whirlwind of parental disappointment and societal expectations, Eva and I reluctantly agreed to marry.

The wedding was a small affair, more a formality than a celebration. Our hearts weren’t in it; the smiles for the photos were forced. We tried to make the best of the situation, setting up a small apartment together and preparing for the baby’s arrival. But the strain of an unwanted marriage began to show quickly.

We were constantly at odds, disagreeing on everything from finances to how to raise our child. The love that should have bonded us was simply not there. We were two strangers tied together by circumstance and a growing resentment.

When our daughter, Nova, was born, we both felt a profound love for her. She was innocent and beautiful, and for a brief moment, it seemed like she might bridge the gap between us. But as months passed, the reality that we were better parents than partners became undeniable.

Eventually, Eva and I decided to divorce. We realized that our attempts to force a relationship for the sake of our daughter were only causing more harm than good. The decision was painful, but necessary. We transitioned into co-parenting, focusing our energies on providing Nova with love and stability, separately.

Looking back, I often wonder if things could have been different. But life has a way of unfolding in unexpected ways, and sometimes all we can do is adapt and try to make the best of the cards we’re dealt.