My husband left us with the children and went to a young mistress: years later, I met him again and was horrified by what I saw 

It happened that in ten years of marriage, we became parents to six children. Twice we had twins – a true gift of fate. At first, we were a happy family. My husband was an attentive, caring father, carried me in his arms, and worked tirelessly for our large family.

I was sure: we would be together forever.

But everything changed suddenly. I felt him drifting away. And then – like a thunderbolt out of the blue – I found out: he had a mistress. Moreover, she was pregnant.

One evening, he packed his things and said:

— I’m tired. Of the daily routine, of the children, of you. I want to live for myself.

He left, and I couldn’t stop him. Since then, I have been alone. He did not participate in raising the children, didn’t call, didn’t help with money or attention.

I was surviving. Sometimes we ate macaroni for a whole week. Sometimes we walked five kilometers on foot because we had no money for transport. My parents and sister helped me. But mostly, I managed everything on my own.

Years passed. The children grew up. I learned to live without him. To live – and not to wait.

One day, we were coming back from the market with the children. And then I saw my ex-husband and was horrified by his appearance because he… Continued in the first comment

At the street corner near the pharmacy, I saw a man in a wheelchair. He had a torn sign: “Help with food. No legs. No home.”

I almost walked past. But something about him seemed familiar. I stopped. Looked closely – and my heart clenched.

It was him. My ex-husband.

His face was sunken, covered with unshaven stubble. His eyes were dull. One leg amputated above the knee, the other without a foot.

He saw me, and his gaze became blurred.

— You… — he whispered. — You…

Later I found out that he had been in an accident – their car skidded, the driver died, and he became disabled. His mistress ran away as soon as she found out he wouldn’t be able to walk anymore. There was no work, no friends either. He became nobody’s concern.

I stood there for a long time. It was heavy on my soul. This is the man who betrayed us. But he is also the father of my children.

A week has passed since that meeting, and now I wonder whether I should take him in and help him? Or not?