The most devastating experience I had in 2025 was discovering my husband was cheating on me… and realising that my brother, my cousin, and my father had all known about it the entire time. We’d been married eleven years. The woman my husband was having an affair with worked as a secretary at the same firm as my brother. Their relationship started after my brother introduced her to my husband—not by accident. They kept crossing paths at work, meetings, business events, and social gatherings my husband attended. My cousin also saw them in the same circles. Everyone knew each other. Everyone met often. For months, my husband lived with me as if nothing had happened. I went to family get-togethers and spent time with my brother, cousin, and dad, not knowing they each knew about the affair. None of them warned me. None of them said a word. No one prepared me for what was going on behind my back. When I found out about the infidelity in October, I confronted my husband first. He admitted it. Then I spoke to my brother. I asked him directly if he’d known. He said “yes.” I asked how long. He replied, “for months.” When I asked why he’d said nothing, he told me it wasn’t his problem, it was a matter between a couple, and “men don’t talk about these things with each other.” Then I talked to my cousin and asked the same questions. He knew too. He’d seen behaviour, messages, and attitudes that showed what was happening. When I asked why he hadn’t warned me, he said he didn’t want trouble and it wasn’t his place to interfere. Finally, I talked to my father and asked if he’d known. He said “yes.” I asked how long. He said, for a long time. Why hadn’t he told me? He said he didn’t want conflict, that matters like this are for couples to sort out, and he wouldn’t get involved. Really, all three gave me the same answer. I moved out of the house, and it’s now up for sale. There were no public arguments or physical confrontations, because I refuse to demean myself for anyone. The woman kept her job at my brother’s company. My brother, cousin, and father stayed close to both of them. For Christmas and New Year’s, my mum invited me to celebrate at hers with my brother, cousin, and dad. I told her I couldn’t go. I explained I wasn’t able to sit at the table with people who’d known about the affair and decided to stay silent. They celebrated together. I wasn’t there either time. Since October, I haven’t spoken to any of the three. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them.

Author Mitsuko NagasakiReading 3 minViews 2

The most painful experience for me in 2025 was discovering that my husband was having an affair and that my brother, my cousin, and my father had all known about it the whole time.

We had been married for eleven years. The woman he was involved with worked as a secretary at the firm where my brother is employed. Their relationship began after my brother introduced them. It wasnt a random encounter. They would often run into each other at work functions, meetings, networking events, and social gatherings that my husband attended. My cousin also met them frequently in those same circles. Everyone was familiar with each other and saw each other regularly.

For months, my husband carried on living with me as though nothing was amiss. I attended family get-togethers, chatted with my brother, my cousin, and my father, utterly unaware that all three of them knew about his affair. Not one of them gave me a hint. Not a word. No warning or attempt to prepare me for what was happening behind my back.

When I found out about his cheating in October, I confronted my husband first. He admitted it immediately. Then I spoke with my brother. I asked him outright if hed known. He said yes. When I asked how long hed known, he replied, for several months. I questioned why he hadnt said anything. He told me it wasnt his place, that it was a matter between a couple, and that these things arent discussed between men.

After that, I spoke with my cousin and asked the same questions. He knew as well. Hed seen their behaviour, messages, and attitude, which made things obvious. When I asked why he hadnt warned me, he answered that he didnt want to get involved or cause trouble, and it wasnt his right to interfere in someone elses relationship.

Lastly, I spoke to my father. I asked if he knew. He quietly told me yes. I pressed him about how long hed known. A long time, he answered. And why hadnt he told me? He responded that he didnt want arguments, that these things are for spouses to resolve, and he wouldnt get involved. In truth, each of them said the same thing.

Afterwards, I moved out of the house, and now its up for sale. There were no dramatic rows or ugly scenesI simply wont lower myself for anyone. The woman continued working at my brothers firm. My brother, cousin, and father carried on as usual with both of them.

For Christmas and New Years, my mum invited me to celebrate at theirs with my brother, cousin, and father. I told her I couldnt be there. I explained that I simply couldnt sit at a table with people who knew what was going on and chose to remain silent. They celebrated together. I was absent both times.

Since October, I havent spoken to any of the three. I dont believe Ill ever be able to forgive them.

“Dad, please don’t come to visit us anymore! Every time you leave, Mum starts crying and doesn’t stop until morning. I ask her, ‘Mum, are you crying because of Dad?’ but she always says it’s just a sniffle. But I’m old enough to know that sniffles don’t sound like tears. Dad sat with me at a café, stirring his cold coffee while my ice cream—an absolute masterpiece—remained untouched. Any six-year-old girl would be excited, but not me. I had decided, even last Friday, it was time for a serious talk with Dad. He was silent for ages before saying, ‘So what should we do, sweetheart? Not see each other at all? How will I manage?’ I wrinkled my nose—just like Mum’s—and said, ‘No, Dad. I can’t be without you either. Here’s what we’ll do: call Mum and tell her you’ll pick me up from nursery every Friday. We’ll cafe if you want, and you can tell me all about your and Mum’s week. If you ever want to see Mum, I’ll take her picture every week and show you. Deal?’ Dad smiled and nodded. We agreed. I felt relieved and finally had my ice cream, but I wasn’t done yet. With chocolate moustaches, I turned serious and said, ‘I think you need to get married… You’re not that old!’ He chuckled at my generous fib. ‘Not that old, not that old!’ I insisted, ‘Mum’s friend, Uncle Steve, who’s been round twice, is actually quite bald right here.’ I touched my head and suddenly realised I’d let out Mum’s secret. Dad’s reaction was intense—‘Who’s this Steve? Mum’s boss?’ I shrugged. ‘Maybe. He brings sweets. And cake. And flowers for Mum.’ Dad stared at his hands, deciding something important. I waited, realising men need a gentle nudge from a woman—especially one they love. Finally, Dad sighed, raised his head, and spoke with tragedy and love, though I didn’t know about Romeo or Othello, I understood people suffer and find joy over tiny things. ‘Let’s go home. I want to talk to Mum.’ I knew this was important. I quickly finished my ice cream, wiped my lips, sniffled, and looked seriously at Dad: ‘I’m ready. Let’s go.’ We didn’t walk—we half ran. Dad took my hand, and I fluttered behind like a bright little flag. When we reached our building, the lift was just leaving. Dad scooped me up and raced up the stairs. At last, when Mum opened the door after Dad’s anxious ringing, he got right to the point: ‘You can’t do this! Who is Steve? I love you. We have Oly…’ Still holding me, Dad hugged Mum. I wrapped my arms around both their necks and closed my eyes because the grownups were kissing… Sometimes, in life, it only takes a loving little girl to bring two stubborn adults back together—because she loved them both, and they loved her, and each other, but let their pride get in the way… Share your thoughts in the comments below and give us a like if you enjoyed this story!

The most heartbreaking thing that happened to me in 2025 was discovering that my husband was having an affair—and that my brother, my cousin, and my father all knew about it the entire time. We had been married for eleven years. The woman my husband was involved with worked as a secretary at the company where my brother works. Their affair began after my brother introduced her to my husband. It wasn’t a coincidence. They encountered each other at various workplaces, meetings, business events, and social gatherings that my husband attended. My cousin met them in the same circles as well. They all knew each other. They all saw each other often. For months, my husband continued to live with me as if nothing was wrong. I attended family gatherings, talked with my brother, my cousin, and my father—never knowing that all three were aware of his affair behind my back. No one warned me. No one said a word. No one even tried to prepare me for what was happening. When I found out about the infidelity in October, I first confronted my husband. He confirmed the affair. Then I talked to my brother. I asked him directly if he knew. He said “yes.” I asked since when. He answered: “for several months.” I asked why he hadn’t told me. He said it wasn’t his problem, that it was an issue between a couple, and that “men don’t talk about things like this to each other.” Next, I talked to my cousin. I asked him the same questions. He knew as well. He said he’d seen the behaviour, the messages, and the signs that made everything clear. When I asked why he hadn’t warned me, he said he didn’t want to cause trouble and didn’t have the right to interfere in someone else’s relationship. Finally, I talked to my father. I asked if he knew too. He said “yes.” I asked since when. He said, for a long time. I asked why he hadn’t said anything. He answered that he didn’t want conflict, that these matters should be resolved between spouses, and that he wouldn’t get involved. In reality, all three gave me the same answer. Afterwards, I moved out of the house, and now it’s listed for sale. There were no public scenes or physical confrontations, because I won’t lower myself for anyone. The woman continued to work at my brother’s company, and both he, my cousin, and my father maintained normal relations with my husband and her. For Christmas and New Year’s, my mother invited me to celebrate at her house, with my brother, cousin, and father in attendance. I told her I couldn’t come. I explained that I couldn’t sit at the table with people who had known about the affair and chosen to keep quiet. They celebrated together. I was absent from both occasions. Since October, I haven’t had contact with any of the three men. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive them.