When my husband divorced me, I always suspected he cheated, but I had no proof. Years later, a letter from our daughter Maggie’s middle school project arrived, changing everything.

The letter, part of a project where students wrote to their future selves, was addressed to Maggie, now in college. I texted her about it, and she anxiously asked me to throw it away. Ignoring her plea, I read it and discovered she had written about her father bringing a woman named Jennifer over when I was away. Maggie had kept this painful secret for years.

I called Maggie, who tearfully admitted she didn’t want to hurt me back then. Determined to get justice, I confronted my ex-husband, Dan. I demanded he cover Maggie’s college expenses, threatening to reopen the divorce settlement with this newfound evidence of his infidelity. After a tense exchange, he agreed.

Maggie and I grew closer, our bond strengthened by facing the truth together. Dan began paying for her college, and Maggie started therapy to deal with her feelings. One evening, while sipping lemonade on the porch, Maggie expressed relief that the weight had lifted. We both agreed that despite the pain, discovering the letter had ultimately made us stronger.

The letter had brought back painful memories but also paved the way for healing and growth. It was a testament to the resilience of a mother and daughter’s bond. As I held Maggie’s hand, I knew we could face anything together.