I’ve been married for 10 years. In the beginning, my husband treated me badly—he cheated and made me feel small. But I was young, hopeful, and in love, so I forgave him, thinking things would get better. We moved forward, had children, and built a life together. Yet, as the years passed, especially around the 5-6 year mark, something shifted in me.

Feelings of resentment began to surface. I couldn’t forget how he had hurt me, no matter how much time had passed or how hard I tried to move on. That bitterness grew into an emotional distance, and soon, I found myself craving attention elsewhere. I had urges to reach out to other men, seeking the validation and care that my husband no longer gave. I never acted on it physically, but emotionally, I started to drift away from him.

Whenever we were intimate, all I could think about was how unsatisfied I felt—both emotionally and physically. My mind would wander to the idea of being with someone else, someone who might appreciate me the way I needed. The trust and closeness we once shared seemed irreparably broken, and I was torn between staying for the sake of the life we built and the growing desire for something, or someone, more fulfilling.