When I found the messages on David’s phone, my world came crashing down. Ten years of marriage, gone in an instant. I had suspected something for months—he was distant, constantly working late, and never fully present. But finding the proof, seeing those words between him and Laura, broke me in ways I didn’t think possible.

I spent days in bed, crying, barely able to look at him. I couldn’t believe that the man I had built a life with had betrayed me. The worst part was, he didn’t even seem sorry. He blamed the stress at work, our “lack of connection,” anything but his own selfish actions.

One night, as I sat alone in our living room, I realized I couldn’t let him have the upper hand. I wasn’t going to be the victim anymore. So, I made a decision—I would hurt him the way he had hurt me. I reached out to an old fling, someone I knew David would hate, and we met up. The attraction was still there, and it didn’t take long before we ended up in bed.

The next morning, I didn’t feel guilty. I felt powerful. For the first time in months, I felt like I was in control of my life again. When I told David, the look on his face was priceless. He couldn’t believe it. He had always been the one holding the cards, but not anymore.

I don’t know if our marriage will survive this, but I do know one thing—I’ll never let anyone make me feel powerless again.