Why Is Marriage So Hard and Exhausting?

I am a SAHM to to wonderful, amazing girls. They are the light of my life and the most precious gifts that Allah gave me. My husband, unfortunately, I cannot say the same about.

I have been married for 9 years and gave him everything. I stood by his side through every venture, I was respectful to his family, and I quietly took on the duties of housewife and caretaker. I very rarely told him “no” to anything.

But in the end, none of it mattered. My husband cheated on me numerous times - both emotional and physical. He threatened divorce & to kick me out of the house. And he doesn’t help at all with the kids or home. He even leaves his clothes and dirty dishes everywhere - and then complains that the house isn’t spotless.

He doesn’t see or care that I spend 12+ hours a day cooking, cleaning, caring for the kids. He even complained about the food that I made for iftar today, after spending hours slaving away on it.

I was adopted from an orphanage at 6 years old and was raised by a single mom. I never had a father figure to “protect me”. I thought that at least my husband would stand by my side. But in the end, he hurt me more than anyone else in this life.

I know that to live in this dunya is to suffer. But how much does one person have to endure?