“You’re being ridiculous, Mary,” Daniel would say when I expressed my anxiety about house fires. “We’ve got a smoke alarm, what’s the worst that could happen?”

But for me, the fear was real. When I was 17, my mom’s house burned down, and we lost our beloved dog, Grampa. The memory of that night—the choking smell of smoke, the frantic crawl to safety, the flashing lights of fire trucks—is still vivid. Ever since, fire has been a constant source of anxiety.

Despite Daniel’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the trauma. Every night, I’d double-check that all the appliances were off, that the stove was unplugged, and that no candles were burning. I couldn’t rest until I knew everything was safe. Daniel was frustrated with me, calling it paranoia, but I couldn’t take chances—not with our baby on the way.

Two nights ago, Daniel came home late with a few friends. The loud chatter and laughter filled the house. I asked him to send them home, explaining I needed some peace and quiet. But Daniel brushed off my concerns, saying he wanted to enjoy one last night with his buddies before the baby arrived.

Tired and annoyed, I grabbed my pregnancy pillow and retreated upstairs. Eventually, I fell asleep, only to be jolted awake by Daniel’s frantic voice: “Mary, get up! Fire, fire, fire!”

Panic shot through me. My heart raced as I leaped out of bed, clutching my belly in a protective instinct. I rushed downstairs, yelling for Daniel to open the door and call the fire department. But as I reached the living room, what I found stopped me in my tracks—Daniel and his friends, laughing hysterically.

It wasn’t real. There was no fire. Daniel had staged the whole thing as a prank.

My confusion turned to rage. “How could you do this?” I yelled through tears. “You know what I’ve been through! You know how much I fear fire. How could you think this was funny?”

Daniel’s laughter faded. He stumbled over apologies, but it was too late. The damage was done. I stormed upstairs, slamming the door behind me. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm my pounding heart, but the pain and betrayal were overwhelming.

This wasn’t just a prank; it was a cruel mockery of my deepest fears. It made me question everything—Daniel’s respect for me, his understanding of my trauma, and whether he truly cared about my well-being or that of our child.

Feeling trapped, I called the one person I knew would understand—my dad.

“Dad,” I choked out, holding back tears. “Daniel did something horrible. It really triggered me.”

My dad’s voice grew serious. “Tell me what happened.”

I recounted the prank, how terrified I had been, and how heartbroken I felt. Dad listened in silence, then said, “Mary, you don’t need to deal with this. I’m coming to get you.”

Fifteen minutes later, Dad’s car pulled up outside. I grabbed a few belongings and headed for the door, ignoring Daniel’s half-hearted attempts to apologize. His friends had already left, leaving him alone on the couch.

As Dad and I drove away, the weight of Daniel’s actions hit me hard. How could he play with my emotions like that, especially while I was pregnant? What kind of father would he be if he couldn’t even respect the boundaries of his partner’s trauma?

The next morning, I woke up with clarity. I couldn’t stay in a relationship where my feelings were disregarded, where my fears were mocked. This wasn’t just about me anymore—this was about protecting my baby from an environment of emotional insensitivity.

I called a lawyer and filed for divorce. My mom, while supportive, tried to convince me I was overreacting. But I knew better. This wasn’t about one prank. It was about a pattern of behavior that showed a lack of care for my mental and emotional well-being.

Since filing, Daniel has bombarded me with apologies and promises to change. But it’s too late. The trust is broken. My safety and my child’s future mean more to me than empty promises. I can’t—and won’t—put up with someone who doesn’t take my fears seriously.

So here I am, awaiting the arrival of my baby, preparing for single motherhood, and bracing myself for the challenges ahead. It won’t be easy, but I know in my heart that I’m making the right choice—for myself and for my child.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you take control, prioritize your well-being, and protect your child from someone who disregards your feelings? Or would you hope for change and try to forgive?