I Refused to Allow My Husband to Go to His Ex’s Burial — His Outburst Shook Me to the Core

I’ve been married to Michael for five years. Before we met, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Lauren, for 12 years. Their marriage ended badly when she left him for another man, and the divorce was incredibly painful for him. It took him a long time to heal.

Yesterday, Michael received a call letting him know that Lauren had unexpectedly passed away. I overheard him crying while talking to her sister, who invited him to the funeral. After he hung up, I told him directly that I didn’t want him to attend.

“Are you serious right now?” he asked, shocked. “My ex-wife just died. Show some empathy!”

“Empathy? For the woman who ripped your heart out and left you a broken mess that I had to piece back together? I don’t think so,” I retorted. “If you go to that funeral, I’ll know that you still have feelings for her.”

Michael’s eyes flared with rage. “Don’t be so insecure. Just because I’m grieving someone I loved for over a decade doesn’t mean I’m still in love with them! I’m going to the funeral to pay my respects and find closure, not to rekindle an old romance.”

“If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back,” I threatened.

“I’m not Lauren. I won’t abandon our marriage,” Michael said sadly. “But your jealousy and lack of trust really hurt. This controlling behavior is not okay. I’m going to the funeral, and I hope you can find it in your heart to be okay with that.”

Michael packed his things and left for the funeral, which was two states away. Now, I’m here alone, grappling with his words and the intensity of our argument. Did I overreact by forbidding him from going? Was I justified in feeling threatened and betrayed?