A fun day at the fair turned heartbreaking when my daughter Sophie wanted a pink alien plush. I tried to win it for her but failed. The next day, I spotted the same toy in my husband Simon’s car and assumed he got it for her. But he denied it.

Days later, we visited my friend Christine’s house. Sophie ran in crying—Jimmy, Christine’s son, had the alien. Then Jimmy said something that shattered me: “Simon gave it to me, but told me not to tell anyone he visits my mom.”

I checked Christine’s phone and found their secret affair spelled out in messages and photos. My best friend and my husband had been sneaking around behind my back. Furious but determined, I left with Sophie, got her the alien she wanted, and filed for divorce. When Simon begged me not to leave, I simply said, “I can tolerate a bad husband. Not a bad father. Get out.” That day, I lost a husband and a friend—but I chose strength, truth, and my daughter.