I had a moment of poetic justice three years after my husband Stan left me for his mistress, Miranda. The satisfaction came from seeing how far I had come, not from their hardships.

Stan surprised me by introducing Miranda and requesting a divorce after we had been married for fourteen years and had two children. Other than his “serious” feelings for her, he gave no explanation. Even though my life was falling apart, I told Lily and Max that we would be alright as I packed them up.

After a brief divorce, I was left with a small settlement and a modest home. Stan quickly vanished completely from our lives, ignoring child support and ceasing to communicate with the children.

Stan and Miranda appeared exhausted and defeated when I saw them at a café three years later. Stan came over, said he was sorry, and asked to see the children again. I just said, “They’ll call if they want to talk to you.”

I felt a sense of closure as I left. No one could take away the resilient and loving life my children and I had created.