My husband and I have been dating since I was 19, and he was 22. We’ve been married for six years now. We have two kids, and I’m six months pregnant with our third child. This morning, as I was up with my three-year-old, my husband’s work alarm went off. As I was turning it off, I saw a text from my best friend on his lock screen that said, “You haven’t told her about us?” Time froze at that moment.

I took his phone and my hands started to tremble. My three-year-old, oblivious to the turmoil inside me, played with his toys on the living room floor. I couldn’t help but stare at the message, my mind racing with questions and fears.

I unlocked his phone. My heart pounded in my chest as I scrolled through the messages between my husband and my best friend, Emma. Their conversations were littered with endearments, plans for secret meetups, and confessions of love. Each word felt like a dagger plunging deeper into my heart.

In disbelief, I read further. The texts revealed that their affair had been going on for nearly a year. I felt my knees buckle, and I sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to process the betrayal from the two people I trusted the most.

Tears streamed down my face as I heard my husband stirring in the other room. I quickly put his phone back and wiped my tears. My three-year-old, sensing something was wrong, came over and hugged me tightly. His innocent embrace broke my heart even more.

I had to confront him, but how? What would I say? And what about our children? Our unborn child? My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and pain.

As my husband entered the room, he looked at me with a smile, unaware of the storm brewing inside me. “Morning, love,” he said, leaning in to kiss me.

I pulled away, unable to look him in the eye. “We need to talk,” I said, my voice trembling.

He frowned, concern etching his features. “What’s wrong?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I saw a text from Emma on your phone. She asked if you had told me about ‘us.’ What is going on?”

His face went pale, and he stammered, “I-I can explain.”

“Explain what?” I demanded, my voice rising. “That you’ve been cheating on me with my best friend? How could you do this to us, to our family?”

He looked down, unable to meet my gaze. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “It just happened. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Never meant to hurt me?” I repeated incredulously. “You’ve been lying to me for a year! And Emma…she’s been lying to me too. How could you both do this?”

Tears filled his eyes, and he reached out to touch my hand. “Please, let’s talk about this. We can work it out.”

I pulled away, shaking my head. “I don’t know if we can. I need time to think.”

With that, I gathered my children and left the room. I needed space, time to figure out what to do next. My world had been shattered, and I had to decide how to pick up the pieces for the sake of my children and myself.

The betrayal from my husband and best friend was a wound that would take time to heal, but I knew I had to find the strength to move forward. For now, I would focus on my children and my unborn baby, and take each day one step at a time.