To give some background, we always had a slightly rocky relationship, when he decided to propose in front of my family and extended family, I had to say yes. I convinced myself that this man would be the love of my life, but here’s where everything changed
(32M) and I (30F) recently had an argument about my cats being ‘filthy’ and ‘annoying’. My cats use a litterbox and hardly ever make a mess, so I didn’t see the issue. When I asked him about it, he snapped and started shouting at me, calling me ‘irresponsible’ for not watching my pets.
I packed a small bag and left for my mom’s house.
The next morning, he texted me apologizing and begging for me to come home, explaining that my cats had ‘ruined’ the couch in his room. He sent me a photo showing a few clumps of cat hair on the couch. I tried to reason with him, and after some discussion, he admitted he was wrong.
Somehow, he convinced me to come back home
When I arrived, he greeted me with an oddly enthusiastic grin, leading me to the living room. He had cleaned up everything, put my favorite show on TV, and set out my favorite meals. But my heart sank when I saw two small jar-like vessels on top of the fireplace labeled with my cats’ names. I screamed and demanded to know what he did to my cats. He proudly admitted that he had them put down and cremated. I berated him for being a psychopath and left to stay with a friend. I blocked his number and all his social media accounts. Here’s where I might be the asshole: I sent a photo of the vessels and a summary of what he did to all his friends and family, as well as some of his work friends
My mother-in-law and a few of my friends said I was completely out of line for ending things over my cats.
I have no idea if I’m in the wrong here, so AITA?
But here’s where it gets weird:
A few days later, I received a call from a detective. He told me that he was investigating a series of animal killings in the area and that my husband’s name had come up as a possible person of interest. I told the detective about what my husband had done to my cats.
The detective was shocked and said that my husband’s behavior was “extremely disturbing.” He said that he would look into the matter and might need me to give an official statement.
I was very nervous, but I also felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe I would finally get justice for my cats.
A few weeks later, the detective called me again. He told me that they had arrested my husband and charged him with animal cruelty. He also said that they had found evidence that suggested my husband may have been involved in other animal killings.
I was overjoyed. I couldn’t believe that the man I had once loved was capable of doing something so evil. I knew I had done the right thing by leaving him.
My husband’s case went to trial, and he was found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to several years in prison. He was also ordered to pay me a large sum of money for the emotional distress he had caused me.
I was ecstatic. I had finally gotten justice for my cats, and I was able to move on with my life. I learned that sometimes bad things that happen to us can lead to even better things in the end.