Forgotten Hopes and Dreams
Growing up, I had a vision and a list of all the qualities I wanted in the man I would eventually end up with. Now that I’m older, I sadly don’t know what happened to those dreams. As a strong and independent woman with a nursing degree and a stable career that provides an above-average salary, I believed I should have high standards when choosing a partner. That is what I believed, and what the community around me also encouraged me to believe. I met a man online who gave me attention and consistency. For four years, I doubted myself because he kept me a secret from his family and friends, while my own family knew about him. He lived in the USA, while I lived in the Philippines. He had previously fallen in love with someone from the Philippines who turned out to be a scammer. His money was taken from him, leaving him sick, emotionally wounded, and carrying a lot of baggage. I tried to leave several times. At one point, he broke up with me, and I actually felt relieved. Then tragedy st...