When my husband, Ben, had minor surgery, I never expected it would lead to a devastating revelation. I’m Kate, and as Ben recovered from anesthesia, he mumbled, “Shhh… Don’t tell Kate, but the key is under the car seat.” My heart sank.

I rushed to our car and found a hotel key card. Checking our bank account, I discovered thousands of dollars spent on luxury hotels, restaurants, and even another apartment. It was clear Ben had been hiding an affair, draining our savings for someone else.

Returning to Ben’s hospital room, I confronted him. He admitted to a relationship with a woman named Rebekah, claiming she made him feel alive. I was heartbroken, knowing he had betrayed our family and our future.

“How could you do this to us?” I demanded. “You’ve spent our savings on someone else. What about our kids?”

Ben, filled with guilt, promised to repay the money by the end of the year. I told him not to return home until he had a plan. For the next few days, I focused on our children, trying to maintain normalcy while my world crumbled.

At night, I cried for the life I thought we had and the future we lost. I’m left wondering how to move forward. Can I forgive him, or is this betrayal too deep? How do you rebuild trust that’s been shattered so completely?

I’m seeking advice on how to navigate this painful journey. Thank you for listening.