A NEW mum discovered her husband’s double life after he passed away just days after she gave birth.
Marianne Fraser, 32, was in a blissful baby bubble after welcoming her son, Soren, now 19 months, in December 2022 with her husband, Liam, 25, a musician.
But on New Year’s Eve she walked in, holding Soren, to find Liam after he had taken his own life.
Her world fell apart and she was readmitted to hospital with her little boy – she was so grief-stricken she was unable to eat.
When she returned home the police gave her back her husband’s phone and she discovered he had been unfaithful after finding text messages and a gift card.
Marianne put all her energy into looking after her son and making music and is now about to release her new album before setting off to travel South East Asia with Soren.
The primary school teacher and musician, from the Scottish Highlands, said: “I found him, I was holding Soren. It feels like it has all been obliterated. I was in utter shock.
“It’s bizarre to be angry with someone who is no longer alive. I’ve got a choice – I can sit in my house and rot or I can show my son what an amazing life there is to be had.”
Marianne and Liam met through musicians in the local area and had been married for four years.
She added: “We were trying for a family. It was a lovely time telling our families. It was so exciting. Everyone was surprised but delighted.”
Soren was born five weeks early weighing 6lbs and came home on Christmas Day in 2022.
But everything changed on New Year’s Eve when Marianne found her husband had taken his life.
She said: “I still have blanks in my memory from it. I was unable to eat and was readmitted to hospital for a few days.
“I found phone calls to a person while I was in labour. It was just blow after blow.
“I kept thinking I’d wake up from some post birth painkiller. It feels like it’s all very tainted.”
Despite the initial shock, Marianne is now glad she knows the truth.
She said: “I would rather have known. I believe knowledge gave me some kind of closure.
“I was focusing on doing the best for my son. I was doing everything in my power to do that.”
She then went to a festival with Soren at the end of January to see one of her favourite bands.
Marianne said: “It was the first time I felt this sense of calm. It was in that moment I knew I had to go back to music and use it as my therapy.”
The mum spent the next year working on her own music – and focused on making it happy instead of sad.
She has taken Soren to 12 shows and festivals with her and says he “loves it”.
Now when her album – Open Hearts and Magic – comes out later this year, she will then embark on a trip with her tot.
She said: “It’s a one way ticket to South East Asia. I wanted to give Soren this incredible life.
“I’m raising Soren on my own. What is the difference in doing it somewhere else. He’s happy, healthy and thriving. I’m lucky to have him.”
Marianne’s new single Yes, Let’s Talk is out now and her album Open Hearts and Magic is out in Autumn.
