“Matthew? This isn’t funny, where are you?” I called out, finding only silence. A note on the kitchen table read, “Don’t search for me.” I called his phone, but it went straight to voicemail. I then called his mom, Claire, and his best friend, James, but no one had heard from him. The police told me, “Adults have the right to disappear if they want to.” I felt helpless and alone.

I tried to keep things normal for the kids, but it was a struggle. Every time they asked about their father, my heart broke a little more. One day, Claire called and said, “Matthew is here at my house. With his mistress and their newborn baby.” She revealed that Matthew planned to use our joint account to rent an apartment for his mistress and intended to divorce me.

My vision blurred with tears. Claire urged me to find a lawyer to protect my children and our finances. Later, Matthew’s mistress, Lisa, called me, saying, “There’s something you need to know.” We met, and she showed me emails and messages from Matthew. “He’s been manipulating both of us,” she said. We formed an unlikely alliance to gather evidence and protect my assets.

With my lawyer’s help, we filed to freeze joint accounts. Finally, we confronted Matthew at Claire’s house. Lisa and I, along with the authorities, faced him. “It’s over, Matthew,” I said. The police served him with a restraining order and an order to vacate. “You made your choices, and now you face the consequences,” I declared, holding the divorce papers. Tears of relief streamed down my face as I thanked Claire and Lisa for their support. It was time to rebuild and move forward.