Goodbye to a Dirty Husband

At that moment, I became certain Ethan was having an affair—he’d created a new “family” right under my nose.

However, I had no concrete evidence. If I rashly filed for divorce, I could lose everything, including my daughter.

Looking at the wedding photo on the wall, where Ethan had once promised me a lifetime of loyalty, my heart felt like it was being cut into pieces. But as I held my daughter, who had never received her father’s love, a fierce determination began to rise within me.

I could live without this unfaithful man, but I wouldn’t leave without what was rightfully mine. They would pay for every mistake, down to the last cent.

Holding my daughter, I stepped out into the cold night. The bitter wind stung my face and my daughter snuggled closer, shivering against me. It was New Year’s Eve, a time for family, yet the streets were nearly empty.

“Mommy, where are we going?” she asked softly.

It was already ten at night. There were no buses and if I went to my parents' home, showing up with my daughter at this hour, it would only bring them heartache.

Thankfully, the moment I suspected Ethan of cheating, I began preparing for this.

“Mommy’s taking you home, to our own place,” I whispered, pulling my coat tighter around her to shield her from the biting wind.

I hailed a cab and gave the driver an address. Soon, we arrived at an old, run-down apartment complex. I carried my sleeping daughter inside.

After settling her in, I opened my phone and immediately saw new posts from my mother-in-law and Charlotte on social media.

My mother-in-law had posted a “family” photo. Charlotte was clinging to Ethan’s arm, looking every bit like a doting partner. My mother-in-law had captioned the photo, “A very filial daughter-in-law, taking her old mother-in-law out for a fancy dinner!”

In the photo, my mother-in-law was grinning from ear to ear, showing off a jade bracelet on her wrist. Clearly, Charlotte knew how to curry favor. Not only did she treat my mother-in-law to an upscale restaurant, but she also bought her a faux jade bracelet that looked deceptively real.

Below this was Charlotte’s post: a picture of Ethan kissing her pregnant belly. Though only a silhouette, it was unmistakably Ethan. Her caption read, “I finally reached my dream, step by step, by your side.”

My mother-in-law quickly liked Charlotte’s post, adding a series of heart emoji.

Refusing to stay silent, I commented on my mother-in-law’s post: “No wonder your son cheats. The problem starts with you! How easily you’re bought off with a cheap bracelet. Pathetic!”

Then, I went to Charlotte’s post and commented, “Throwing yourself at a married man? You’re no better than a woman on the streets. You and Ethan are a perfect match—he’s yours, I’m done with him!”

Before I could finish typing, Ethan bombarded me with messages on WhatsApp and my phone began to ring non-stop.

Seeing I wasn’t answering, he left a series of voice messages. I walked out of the bedroom and played them one by one.

“Emma, what the hell are you saying? What makes you think that’s me in Charlotte Charlotte’s post? Delete your comments and apologize to her right now!”

“And how dare you talk to my mom that way! She’s your elder sister. Come home immediately and apologize to her!”