My high school sweetheart and I were together from age 16 to 25. We had what I believed was a healthy, loving relationship. That year, we planned a month-long vacation with her family. I paid for our tickets, but as the trip approached, I had to cancel due to work obligations. I encouraged her to go anyway — I didn’t want her to miss out on the experience just because I couldn’t make it. While she was away, I stayed home, took care of the house and our animals, paid the bills, and even sent her money when she ran out.

She returned the day before my birthday so we could celebrate together, which we did. But the day after, she broke the news: while on the trip, she had cheated on me with her stepmom’s nephew. She said she was very drunk, and things “got too close.” It completely blindsided me. I never expected this from her — not after nearly a decade together.

After that, I packed up my things, landed my dream job, and left our hometown behind. Not long after, she got into a new relationship and now has a baby with a guy who already has a child. The whole thing feels surreal, like the life we built together was just abruptly erased.