My husband’s mistress sent me this photo and wrote, “Yes, I’m the one who ruins your 42-year marriage and I’m NOT going to apologize! Your time is over. Now he is mine!” But just three weeks later, the same woman fell in front of me on her knees and, sobbing, begged: “Please SAVE ME! I had no idea who I was really contacting!”

I decided to live apart from him.

Six months later, Susan invited me to Lisa’s bakery.

When I came in, I noticed a framed photo on the wall.

It was the same picture of 1989.

I’m with little Michael on my hands.

Under the photo was the inscription:

“Sometimes the man you saved today comes back years later to save you.”

My eyes were filled with tears.

Susan came to me.

“Margaret, I ruined your marriage, and you saved my daughter’s future. You taught me what I had to understand years ago.”

“What?”

“The fact that happiness built on the tears of another woman can never be real.”

I hugged her.

Not because I forgot her betrayal, but because I didn’t want to let the bitterness control the rest of my life.