They say curiosity killed the cat—but in my case, it destroyed something far more precious: my family.
While chasing career success, I missed the cracks forming at home. My husband, Benjamin, stayed behind with our son, Liam, while I juggled meetings, flights, and presentations. I thought everything was under control—until one day, I overheard Liam on the phone, calling someone else “Mom.”
Consumed by suspicion, I followed him the next morning. He didn’t go to school. Instead, he visited a woman I didn’t recognize—young, warm, and far too familiar with my son. When I confronted her, the truth shattered me: she was Benjamin’s girlfriend. They’d been together for a year. Liam had grown attached. To her, to their new reality. Because she was there—and I wasn’t.
I’d been so focused on providing a better life, I missed the life unfolding without me.
The divorce came quickly. Liam chose to live with them. I stepped back from my career, took a pay cut, and started therapy—anything to rebuild what’s left with my son.
I don’t know if he’ll ever fully forgive me. But I finally understand: being present matters more than any promotion ever will.