Almost 3 years after walking out, I am still waiting to have the papers signed. He is rich and controlling, so you can just imagine how well this is going.

I'd known the marriage was dead for several years, he refused to admit it. Being around a narcissistic, self-centered, bad-tempered chauvinistic ass for 10 years will leave you with virtually nonexistent self-esteem, so it took me far longer to leave than it should have.

It took my best friend (who is now a wonderful, supportive partner) to give my head a shake & realize that a financially comfortable lifestyle isn't worth worth being treated as a subhuman.

I ended up essentially homeless, living in the top floor of a building that consisted of 4 abandoned, unrentable apartments. I did my best with scrubbing, paint and rugs to make it at least appear welcoming and livable so my kids would not be taken from me.

Things have slowly improved, and I no longer fear being cornered by him alone, trembling at his red-faced screaming & accusations of ruining him, alternately calling me a selfish c**t and begging for me to return home as he'd never survive.

Thanks to my family, I am now in a lovely little home, drowning in debt but a settlement will eventually come and we just make do in the meantime.

My kids are amazing and quite happy to have twice as many parents who adore them (my ex is already engaged to a woman who will make a lovely stepmom to them, despite his lack of divorce papers.) At least I can be thankful that he constantly throws money at them to try & be the 'better parent', they see right through it but at least I know at least they will never go without as I can't afford it - they don't mind and are more than happy with what I can provide.

The nightmares have ceased for the most part....