44M married to 43F for 15 years - My wife says if I don’t like it, I can leave. I feel trapped and don’t know what to do.

I am a 44M and have been married to my wife (43F) for 15 years. We have children together.

For a long time I have felt that my emotional needs don’t matter in our relationship. I often feel criticized, dismissed, and unappreciated.

When I try to talk about my feelings or explain what I need from the relationship, the conversation often ends with my wife saying something like:
“If you don’t like it, you can leave.”

The problem is that leaving doesn’t feel like a real option to me. I love my children and I am terrified of losing daily contact with them or becoming a part-time father.

I feel stuck between staying in a relationship where I feel increasingly unhappy and leaving and risking losing an important part of my children’s lives.
Lately I feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the situation and I honestly don’t know what to do next.
Has anyone been in a similar situation?
How did you approach it?
Did things improve?
What steps would you recommend before making any major decisions?