So I picked a TRUTH. The truth is that I complain a lot about my situation, but I am not telling the truth. I knew he was married, and he told me that I would only be his lover, that he had no intentions of getting divorced or separated, that my place was to be his mistress and that meant that I would have to adjust myself to other commitments he had with his wife and his kids.

I went into this relationship totally aware of what I was doing. The first thing I did was get pregnant, that way we would always be together, plus I wanted to prove to him that albeit I was a mistress, I was still his woman and as his woman I would also have a family for him.

One pregnancy led to another and then another. I keep a home for him, and I raise his children to be respectful of their father, and to be equally respectful of his wife, and their half brother and sisters. I was not fortunate enough to be so attractive, or to have a family of means, and my place is this. I love my lover, the father of my children, and I know he loves me and the children we have together. I try not to disturb his wife, or in any way create a commotion.

I am not unhappy, the truth is I am far more fortunate than many of my peers as others have had to take husbands or lovers who do not treat them well, whereas I am well treated. If only there was one thing I would ask, is for his wife to be more polite in public, I understand that I must be kept in my place, I am only his mistress, but still, after all these 15 years, perhaps one small show of acceptance. That is all I ask for.