I thought my husband and I were on the same page when we conceived our first child, but he chose our baby girl’s birth as the reason for his infidelity. I pretended to still be in love with him until I could drop the real surprise.

Right after our child was born, I discovered my husband’s affair. It broke my heart, especially because it happened while I was postpartum. I noticed late-night calls, secretive outings, and changes in his behavior.

I confirmed his infidelity by reading countless texts between him and his mistress. While I took care of our baby and maintained our marriage, he was finding joy elsewhere. I was livid and felt deeply betrayed.

I decided to secure a life for myself and our baby. I bought an apartment, moved our money, and prepared for a potential custody battle. Meanwhile, I started mimicking everything he admired about his mistress. His messages to her dwindled, and he broke it off with her, thinking he was in love with me again.

On our anniversary, I planned a romantic dinner and pretended to be the loving wife. At the dinner, I asked him to pose for a photo, and then I unveiled the divorce papers. His shock was palpable. “Is this a joke?” he asked. “No joke,” I replied, “I know everything. It’s over.”

As I walked away, the weight of my decision settled around me. It wasn’t just about revenge; it was about reclaiming my life and setting boundaries for the respect and love I deserved.