My Daughter’s Affair with Her Best Friend’s Husband: Did My Reaction Make Me a Bad Mother?

I Found Out That My Daughter Had an Affair with Her Best Friend’s Husband – Am I a Bad Mother after What I Did?

I couldn’t hold it in any longer, even though I feel terrible. Say you find out your daughter is cheating on you and later find out she has been lying to you about stopping the relationship. This was my reality, and the choices I made afterwards completely changed our way of life. The question of whether or not I am a bad mother now consumes me.

Amy, my only child, is a single mother of two. Her marriage collapsed after she discovered her husband’s mistress. I reasoned that she would never end a marriage because of this. I was in error.

A few of months ago, she confided in me that she was having an affair with her best friend Martha’s husband, Stan. I was outraged and hurt that my daughter was capable of doing this to someone, let alone her best friend, especially since Martha had recently had a baby.

When Amy said she would quit seeing Stan and eventually tell Martha the truth, I thought I had won her over. I mistakenly trusted her, assuming she had finished the affair and moved on.

However, recent occurrences have destroyed my faith. I found myself in a predicament where I had to make an extremely tough choice. Now, I am left wondering, “Am I a bad mother after what I did?”

I was relieved when Amy said she would no longer see Stan. I prayed that this horrible chapter would soon finish. Amy said she was seeing someone new and ceased bringing up Stan. It made me assume she had turned over a new leaf.

Amy dropped off my grandsons last Friday before leaving on vacation. I didn’t know who she was travelling with, but when she waved goodbye, I noticed she was in Martha’s car, with Stan driving. I felt sick to my stomach as I watched them go.

Amy had promised to terminate her romance with Stan, but I soon found out that she had lied to me. I shut the door behind me, avoiding eye contact. It was hard for me to understand how my daughter could be blind to the suffering she was causing.

I was unable to sleep that evening. My mind was constantly racing with Amy’s actions and how they affected everyone. Next thing I knew, I was on Martha’s Facebook page. The more I looked, the worse I felt.

Martha had posted a loving birthday message to Stan just the day before. In the post, she had conveyed her gratitude and affection for him. As I was reading the comments, I noticed Amy’s name.

Her remark was, “OMG, I love you guys so much ❤️😇.” For me, that was the final straw. It was unbearable to hear Amy’s comments of hypocrisy.

I considered texting Martha at that same moment, but ultimately decided against it. Using social media to break the news felt like a cowardly move. However tough it would be, this revelation had to be shared face-to-face.

I made the decision to face Martha face-to-face the following morning. I went to the yoga class she taught because I knew she taught it, and I waited until everyone had departed. My heart was racing as I got closer to her. I took a deep breath and told her everything when we were by ourselves.

“Martha, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Amy and Stan are having an affair,” I responded.

“What? That is not possible. Stan has shown such tenderness and care in recent times. If he were having an affair, he wouldn’t be acting that way,” she retorted.

I retorted, “I wouldn’t lie to you about this sweetheart.” They have been dating for some time. Amy claimed to have stopped when I tried to get her to, but I recently discovered that she had been lying.”

I showed her the texts Amy had sent, which proved the affair, and we compared our iPhone Find My Friends whereabouts. Amy and Stan were standing where they both were.

Martha’s expression fell as the truth sank in. She collapsed, trembling violently. I tried my best to console her, but I felt terrible for having to deliver such heartbreaking news.

I truly apologise, Martha. I’m shocked that my kid could have done anything like this, and I understand how you feel.” I stated. “I thought after what happened to her, she would never have gone this far.”

“It’s alright,” Martha began. Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps I have been deceiving myself. A few indicators have been present.”

We had a three-hour conversation. She confided in me about her doubts about her own sanity and her concerns. Martha asked me not to tell anyone about our conversation when we were done. She made no mention of leaving Stan or staying with him. I was clueless as to what might come next.

I was surprised to receive an invitation to Stan and Martha’s fifth wedding anniversary celebration a few days later. As I read the invitation, my heart fell. I was afraid Martha was up to something big to reveal Amy and Stan.

But there was nothing I could do about it without admitting my part in the whole affair. I made the reluctant decision to go to the party. Though I was nervous, I knew that if things went wrong at the party, I had to be there to help Amy and Martha.

The celebration got off to a lovely start. As she spoke with the visitors, Martha had a real smile on her face and the atmosphere was lively. Stan took care of their infant daughter, acting as the devoted husband and father.

On the surface, everything seemed ideal, and everyone seemed to be having fun. That did not, however, calm my mounting fear. I couldn’t stop wondering when the wheels were going to come off.

Then Martha got up to give a toast at supper. “Today we gathered here to celebrate my husband and my fifth wedding anniversary,” she said, lifting her glass. With all the preparations, you could all see how considerate my spouse was today. All of it is false, though.

Stan appeared surprised when the room went silent. Martha went on, “Who would have thought that he would cheat on me with no one else but my best friend, Amy!” which caused confusion among the attendees. And right around the time that Stan and I were able to conceive.”

There were gasps around the room, and Amy’s shocked expression caught everyone’s attention.

“Amy, you were my best friend for all these years,” Martha said. When your spouse abandoned you for a mistress, I stood by you. You are a mistress now, and I’m going to become a single mother shortly. I’m sorry I supported you throughout your lowest point.”

Martha went on, “And Stan, I want a divorce.” I’m going to use every piece of proof I have that you cheated on me in court.

She said, “Happy 5th anniversary to us!” with tears in her eyes, and then she turned on a giant screen that aired pleasant pictures of her life with Stan and their daughter.

Stan chased after Martha as she fled the celebration in tears. Amy abruptly departed the gathering, clearly embarrassed, and the attendees were left in disbelief. As I saw the outcome of my actions, I experienced a range of feelings, including guilt, relief, and sadness.

I kept Amy’s secret from her; she was unaware of it. She consented to stop communicating with Stan and to attend therapy. I’m at home right now, wishing and praying that I made the correct decision.

The worst thing I can hope for is that Amy will realise I was the one who deceived her. I fear that she may cease granting me access to my grandchildren. However, I could not allow my daughter to carry on acting in such a damaging manner without taking action. Having betrayed my own daughter, am I now a horrible mother?

Though it has been fictionalised for artistic purposes, this work draws inspiration from actual individuals and events. For reasons of privacy protection and story improvement, names, characters, and details have been changed. Any likeness to real people, alive or dead, or real events is entirely accidental and not the author’s intention.

The publisher and author disclaim all liability for any misinterpretation and make no claims on the veracity of the events or character portrayals. This narrative is given “as is,” with the characters’ opinions being their own and not those of the publisher or author.