Discovering that my husband had kept a mistress for 5 years, my father told me to pretend to be innocent and not know anything, until my husband’s mistress was about to give birth, then set a trap.

Discovering that my husband had kept a mistress for 5 years — my father’s advice helped me “pretend to be innocent”, waiting for the day the truth revealed itself

Marco Cruz and I got married in 2012, living in Quezon City. He was a model husband in front of everyone: going to work on time in Makati, coming home to pick up our child at night, taking us to Tagaytay on the weekends. All the neighbors praised: “Your husband is kind, good, a real family man.” I used to believe that too.

Until one day, I accidentally saw a message on his phone:

“Babe, uwi ka na, sabay tayong kumain.”

My hands were shaking. I asked him, Marco denied it, saying his co-workers were joking. But a woman’s intuition is not wrong. I quietly followed, and felt like I was being stabbed: for 5 years, he had provided for another woman, rented a condo in BGC for her to live in, the bills were in the name of his best friend’s company.

I collapsed. In the small room in QC, I buried my face in the pillow and cried. Tatay Jose – my father, experienced in life – put his hand on his daughter’s shoulder:

“Anak, the more you make a fuss, the more you lose. Men who cheat, sooner or later will be exposed. Just pretend you don’t know. When the baby is born, the truth will come out. At that time, you will stand firm.”

I swallowed my tears, following my father’s instructions. With my husband, I was still gentle; with my daughter Mika, I was even more gentle. At night, only the pillow understood my tears.

“She” gave birth

Two years later, bad news came: “she” gave birth to a baby boy at Makati Medical Center. Marco used “overtime, client meeting” as an excuse and was away from home constantly. I kept quiet, as my father had told me. Mika asked: “Mom, why don’t you come home often?” I hugged my child: “Dad is busy.”

One afternoon, I followed. In front of the hospital gate, Marco was holding a red baby, his face filled with joy. Next to him was “her” – Rhea – with triumphant eyes. I hid behind the trees, tears streaming down my face. Dad was right: the truth had revealed itself.

That night, I asked Marco to talk. He bowed his head for a long time and then admitted:
“I’m sorry… I’m weak. I… want a son.”

I laughed bitterly:
“So love and family for so many years are not enough for you? You want a son so much that you step on your wife and children?”

He was silent. I put the legal separation documents and the annulment (annulment) I had prepared on the table:
“I’m holding back to wait for the day you dig your own grave. From now on, it’s over.”

He grabbed my hand in panic. I pushed it away. Strangely, in that moment, my heart felt light – the pain had passed its peak.

The trial and custody

A few months later, the court accepted the annulment (I submitted evidence: the condo lease contract in BGC, the transfer, the photo in front of Makati Med). The court declared legal separation, the annulment process continued; custody was temporarily given to me; Marco had scheduled visits.

Marco moved back to live with Rhea. People said their life was not smooth: Rhea was demanding, the cost of the condo – car – nurse for the child increased, Marco’s money was running out. As for me – thanks to Tatay Jose, my brothers and sisters – I got my job back, opened a small shop in Cubao, enough to support Mika properly.

One night, my father told me:
“Kiinam mo ang ulo mo, pero hindi ka sumuko. Patience is sometimes the most bitter revenge. The truth will shine; you don’t need to scream or lose your dignity. The important thing is that you keep yourself and your self-respect.”

I put my head on my father’s shoulder and burst into tears – the last tears, tears of liberation.

Ten years later

Mika grew up, well-behaved, and studied well at a public school in QC. She occasionally asked:
“Mama, does Papa still love me?”

I hugged her, smiling through my tears:
“Whether Papa loves me or not, it doesn’t matter anymore. Mama loves me. Lolo, lola loves me. That’s enough.”

Outside, Manila night fell. I looked up at the sky:
“Thank you, Tatay, for teaching me to go through the darkness without losing myself.”

From now on, I live peacefully. No longer a betrayed wife, but a free, strong woman who dares to take hold of her own happiness.