Hello everyone, my name is Lara. I'm originally from Malaysia but fate has brought me to The United States. My story started on September 24th last year. After almost 15 years of marriage my husband at that time told me he wanted a divorce.

This happened couple of days before I boarded the plane to go back Malaysia to visit my family. While I was in Malaysia, my 85 year old mother fell sick and was admitted to ICU. I became her full time caregiver the moment she was discharged and came home bedridden. For two whole months while struggling with my marriage breakdown, I single handedly cared for my mother tending to her every needs with little rest 24/7. At the same time I found out that soon to-be-ex cut me off from the one and only financial access that I have for household purchases and necessities. By God grace, my mother became healthy again and was able to do a lot of things right before I was scheduled to fly home.

However 6 days after my return, I was served with the divorce papers. The reason I was divorce because I have started to become committed to my own faith which he was not supportive of. He became unbearable to deal with during the marriage breakdown and even more so during the start of the divorce process. He has clearly made his intention clear that he wanted me out as soon by end of April. He tried talking me into not filing in court and refused to pay for my legal fees. All he wanted me to do was pack my luggages and take my cat and buy a one way ticket back to Malaysia without my belongings which he assured me that it will be shipped when he has the means to do so. I decided to not go to court and played along with his plan. In my mind my priority would be to have a safe return back to Malaysia together with my belongings. Therefore I needed his help to do so and would not do anything to infuriates the guy. As I was busy getting in touch with the international movers and buying packing supplies, the guy has turned horrendous. He kept harassing and pestering me to buy the plane ticket.

As days went by he started to persuade me to sign papers to quickly finalise the divorce. The desperation was evident when he even trying to resort to send a public notary home to get my signature and lied bout it having a 2 days deadline. He also tried whatever and however he could to hurt me even more by backbiting me among his friends and family, calling me names such as narcissist, radicalised, fundamentalist, extremist, high functioning autism and likened me to a drug addict (which has started since our marriage breakdown) and many others. The emotional and financial abuse continues. He also threatened many times to leave the country or change jobs claiming he was depressed and wasn't happy for a long time. He told me that he will help me financially for a year once I'm settled back home but later retract for 6 months and will consider to give more if I'm nice to him. That did not stop there, after couple of groceries for the house he stopped buying one altogether. He also has not giving any money. I decided not to ask for fear that he will ask me to finalise the divorce or do anything to serve his purpose.

After feeling the torture of mental and financial abuse, I decided to change course. I wanted to stay and fight for my rights. For weeks I walked all over town as far as the next to find any attorney that could help. I managed to find one through free legal services but was left hanging mid way. Through free legal counsel I received, I went ahead to set aside my default judgement and started the process again on my own. With the help of court attorney, I'm almost done filing my paperwork to be served to the ex and lastly attend the court hearing. I'm also applying for food stamps and help from a local masjid through zakat program. I have attended career workshop and looking for job.

However, today I received a message from the ex saying he's going to be out of town for 10 days. He told me that I could contact his father if I needed any help or could reach him through WhatsApp. He did not mention where he's going but said he's exploring a new future. I have a suspicion he's trying to find life outside and flee the country soon in order to avoid paying spousal support.

I'm under tremendous amount of pressure constantly 24/7. The ex and I are still living together and our lease will be up September. By end of next month, landlord will ask either to renew or leave. I dont even know where im heading if i were to lose a place to stay. With no job, income, family and friends I'm feeling the real pinch and vulnerable. I can't afford to even move out as that needed more money and financial security. I feel stuck as I can't move forward rebuilding my life and can't even move back to Malaysia when I can't even cover the cost. I'm barely surviving with the very basic necessities at the moment. My life is in ruin because of one person hatred towards me.

I'm sincerely and humbly pleading everyone who's reading this to help me whenever you can. Every dollar means alot and could change my life every step of the way. I do not know how to repay the kindness you have shown except through my sincere prayers. Thank you again for reading my story and your generous donation