No happy ever after

SINGAPORE - Things started going downhill after Tony and Jane had their first child, Bryan, in their second year of marriage.

While Tony was excited over the birth of his son, he soon felt sidelined and excluded from his wife's attention and affection.

After a long day at work, he wanted her company but she was too absorbed with the baby.

He started keeping to himself, watching television and ignoring her requests to help with household chores. The more he withdrew, the more she nagged. Within a few months, they grew distant emotionally and hardly had sex.

Tony, a manager in his 30s and earning $7,000 a month, sought solace from a colleague, going out with her and taking her to fancy dinners.

When Jane noticed he was staying out more often, she checked his handphone and became suspicious. In one of their many quarrels, she mentioned divorce.

They decided to call it quits, but their divorce lawyers referred them for counselling.

Although they saw Mrs Chang-Goh Song Eng, head of Reach Counselling, she told The Sunday Times that the marriage is unlikely to survive as Tony is adamant about giving up.

They may have sought help too late.

"Love is hard work so don't be afraid to get support from family and friends or go for counselling early," she said.

Those who wish to seek help on infidelity can contact Touch Family Services on 6317-9988 and familylife@touch.org.sg or Reach Counselling on 6252-2566 and rc@reach.org.sg

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