On the Way Home from Preschool, My Daughter Asked If I’d Cry When She Went to the Ocean with ‘Her Other Mom and Dad’

When my four-year-old daughter Tess mentioned her “other mom,” my world shattered. Driving home from preschool, she asked if I’d cry when she left for the ocean with “Dad and Mom Lizzie.” Shocked, I learned Lizzie, my husband Daniel’s lover, had turned Tess against me. Using a nanny cam, I confirmed their affair. Calmly, I gathered evidence, filed for divorce, and left Daniel with visitation rights. At Tess’s birthday party, planned by Lizzie, I confronted her about Tess’s “evil mom” comment—Lizzie had no answer. Choosing strength, I took Tess

and my mom on a beach trip, where Tess chose me as her favorite. Tears fell later, a mix of pain and relief. Now, we’re a tight trio, with a photo proving our bond. Betrayal taught me to prioritize myself and Tess, walking away with dignity.