My Husband, The Ghost of Our Home: Always at His Mom’s or Buried in Work

Despite her hopes and efforts, things did not improve. Stephanie was left to navigate the challenges of parenthood and her career alone, mourning the loss of the partnership she once had. Kevin, it seemed, was content to live his life somewhere between his work and his mother’s house, leaving his family to fade into the background.

Stephanie sat at the kitchen table, the soft glow of the morning sun barely making up for the cold absence across from her. Kevin, her husband, had once again left early for work, or so his note said. These days, it felt like she was living with a ghost rather than the man she married.

Their relationship hadn’t always been this strained. In the beginning, Kevin was attentive and present. They would spend weekends exploring the city or just enjoying each other’s company at home. But as time went on, especially after the birth of their daughter, Hannah, Kevin began to fade away.

At first, Stephanie tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. She understood that becoming a parent was a significant change and that Kevin might be struggling with the transition. However, it soon became clear that his absence was not just about adjusting to fatherhood.

Kevin was always either at his mother’s house or buried in work. His mother, Jasmine, had always been a strong presence in his life, but now it seemed like she was the only person he wanted to spend time with. Whenever Stephanie brought up the issue, Kevin would dismiss her concerns, saying he was just trying to be a good son and provide for his family.

Stephanie’s friends, like Jordan and Joshua, told her things might improve once she went back to work after her maternity leave. They hoped that resuming her career would bring some normalcy back to their lives. But deep down, Stephanie feared that nothing would change.

The distance between them grew with each passing day. Conversations became transactional, focusing only on Hannah’s needs or household chores. The warmth and love that once defined their relationship seemed to have vanished, leaving a cold void in its place.

One evening, after putting Hannah to bed, Stephanie decided to confront Kevin. She waited for him to come home, rehearsing what she would say. But as the hours ticked by, Kevin didn’t show. Frustrated and hurt, Stephanie called his phone, only to be sent to voicemail.

The next morning, Kevin was back at the kitchen table as if nothing had happened. When Stephanie asked where he had been, he simply said he lost track of time at his mother’s house. The casual dismissal of her feelings was the final straw for Stephanie.

In the weeks that followed, their interactions became even more strained. Stephanie realized that the man she married was no longer present in their lives. He had become a ghost, haunting the home they once shared with his absence.