My husband left me alone with our 3-month-old baby and our unwell 2-year-old, saying, “This marriage is toxic. I need space.” Three weeks later, he returned from Europe smiling. “I’ve had my fun. I’m your husband again.” Then the man seated at my table looked up and said, “Welcome home, Mark.” His face turned pale.

I had suspected another woman. I had not known her name. Mark looked at Daniel as if he had been slapped. “You promised me that was private.” “You called me from the airport,” Daniel replied. “You said you deserved to feel single for a while. Then you asked me not to tell Claire.” I sat down slowly. “Emma who?” Mark said nothing. Daniel looked at me. “Emma Caldwell. She works with Mark.”

I knew the name. Mark had mentioned her dozens of times over the last year. Emma was funny. Emma knew a great restaurant. Emma had helped save a client presentation. Whenever I asked whether I should be worried, Mark laughed. My stomach turned, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me collapse. “Were you sleeping with her?” Mark rubbed his forehead. “Claire, it wasn’t like that.” That answer was enough.