A Singapore-based bus driver’s marriage has come to a painful and abrupt end after he uncovered his wife’s long-running affair during what was meant to be a heartfelt surprise visit home.
Mr Lxx, 45, has been working in Singapore for years as a bus driver, while his wife became a full-time homemaker after giving birth to their son. The couple have a four-year-old child, and the wife is also responsible for caring for her elderly mother back in Ipoh. Before marriage, both husband and wife were working in Singapore, but the family arrangement changed when she decided to return home to focus on caregiving responsibilities.
By all outward measures, the marriage appeared stable. Mr Lxx would regularly return to Ipoh during his consecutive rest days to spend time with his family. Once a year, he would also plan overseas holidays for his wife and son, hoping to create shared memories despite the physical distance caused by work commitments.
He made it a point to provide generously for the household. Every month, he transferred SGD2,500 for family expenses, keeping only a small amount for his own daily needs in Singapore. To him, this was never a burden. He believed his wife’s sacrifice in putting her career on hold deserved respect and gratitude, and he saw his role as ensuring the family’s financial security.
THE FIRST SIGNS OF DISTANCE
Things began to change during one of his routine visits to Ipoh. Mr Lxx noticed that his wife had become noticeably cold and distant. Conversations felt forced, and the warmth he once knew was gone. Initially, he blamed himself, assuming his demanding work schedule had caused emotional neglect.
Over time, the situation worsened. Phone calls went unanswered, messages were ignored, and excuses about feeling unwell became frequent. Although uneasy, Mr Lxx chose not to jump to conclusions. He convinced himself that stress or emotional fatigue might be affecting her.
Hoping to mend the emotional gap, he decided to surprise his wife with a luxury handbag she had long wanted. He returned home earlier than planned, intending to present the gift as a gesture of love and reassurance.
AN UNEXPECTED AND DEVASTATING DISCOVERY
What he encountered instead shattered his world. Arriving home at around 1pm, he assumed his wife was out fetching their son. While waiting, he glanced out of the bedroom window and saw his wife and child stepping out of a car driven by an unfamiliar man.
Choosing not to confront them immediately, he watched as they entered the house. The child went about his routine, changing his shoes, while the man leaned in and kissed Mr Lxx’s wife. The moment confirmed his worst fears.
When Mr Lxx finally stepped out of the room, his wife panicked, breaking down and apologising. But the damage was already done. The family he had worked tirelessly to protect had unravelled in seconds.
THE COLLAPSE OF A MARRIAGE
Soon after, his wife admitted she wanted a divorce, stating she no longer had feelings for him. The admission left Mr Lxx emotionally devastated. As he prepared to return to Singapore, he made an even more distressing discovery: pregnancy medication hidden in her room.
Upon questioning, his wife revealed she was pregnant and was unsure who the child’s father was. At that point, Mr Lxx accepted that reconciliation was impossible and agreed to proceed with divorce proceedings.
He later sought professional advice on divorce procedures in Singapore, including family law considerations and child custody arrangements. After four months of disputes, both parties finally reached an agreement, with the legal process completed three months later.
Notably, Mr Lxx chose to compromise in the final stages, prioritising closure and shielding his young child from further emotional harm. Given the circumstances, his calm and rational handling of the divorce, especially from a child-first perspective, stands as a quiet testament to his character and resilience.