At My Husband’s Corporate Party, Our Daughter Screamed, ‘Mommy, Look! That’s the Lady with the Worms!’

I thought my seven-year marriage to Mark was perfect until our four-year-old daughter, Sophie, revealed his secret at his promotion party. She mentioned seeing “red worms” at a woman’s house, which Mark dismissed as curlers, claiming he only visited his colleague Tina for work papers. Sophie’s comment about keeping it secret because “Mommy would be upset” raised my suspicions. I confronted Tina, who admitted to their affair, expecting me to leave Mark. Devastated but resolute, I filed for separation, hired a lawyer, and secured custody

arrangements favoring Sophie and me. Mark moved in with Tina, but their relationship is strained, with Sophie refusing visits unless Tina’s absent. I’ve rebuilt my life, joining Pilates, sketching, and decorating Sophie’s room with glow-in-the-dark stars. When Sophie asked why Mark left, I explained he lied, and she hugged me, glad we’re free of “worms.” The betrayal exposed Mark’s double life, but it freed me to protect Sophie and find peace, proving love and trust outweigh a façade of perfection.