I felt like my world had been shattered into a million pieces. My marriage, my trust, my heart - all broken.
I went through the motions of the next few days in a daze. I filed for divorce, and John didn't contest it. He just signed the papers and walked away.
I was left to pick up the pieces of my life. I felt like I was mourning the loss of my marriage, of the life we had built together.
But as the days turned into weeks, I started to feel a sense of relief. I was free from the lies, the deceit, the heartache.
I started to focus on myself, on my own healing. I started therapy, and I joined a support group for women who had been through similar experiences.
And then, one day, I met someone. His name was Alex, and he was kind, genuine, and honest.
We started talking, and I felt a connection I hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe ever.
But I was scared. I didn't know if I was ready to open myself up to love again.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked, noticing my hesitation.
"I've been hurt before," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alex nodded. "I understand," he said. "But I promise you, I'm not like that. I'll never hurt you."
I looked into his eyes, and I saw sincerity. I saw kindness.
And I knew, in that moment, that I was ready to take a chance.