<\/p>\n
Mark and I were married for seven years. I was a freelance graphic designer, and I thought we had a perfect marriage\u2014until the night of his promotion party.<\/p>\n
We were \u201cthat couple\u201d\u2014in sync, affectionate, and always laughing. After years of infertility struggles, we finally had Sophie, our bright, curious daughter. Life felt whole again.<\/p>\n
At Mark\u2019s work party, Sophie said something strange: \u201cThat\u2019s the lady with the worms.\u201d She pointed to Tina, a woman I vaguely recognized from Mark\u2019s office. Sophie insisted she\u2019d seen \u201cred worms\u201d on Tina\u2019s bed\u2014when she was there with her dad.<\/p>\n
I confronted Mark. He brushed it off, claiming Sophie saw hair curlers and that he only visited Tina to get paperwork. But when I pressed, his lies fell apart.<\/p>\n
The next day, I met Tina. She confirmed everything with chilling calm. \u201cI was wondering when you\u2019d figure it out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
I left the caf\u00e9 and never looked back.<\/p>\n
I filed for separation, made arrangements for Sophie and me, and Mark moved in with Tina. Their life isn\u2019t perfect now\u2014Sophie refuses to go there if Tina\u2019s around. Mark looks drained.<\/p>\n
As for me, I sleep peacefully now. I paint, take Pilates, and fill Sophie\u2019s world with light.<\/p>\n
One night, she asked, \u201cWhy doesn\u2019t Daddy live with us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause he lied about the worms.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded solemnly. \u201cLying is bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said. \u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n
And she smiled. \u201cI\u2019m glad we have no worms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Me too, baby. Me too.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"