AITA for leaving my husband after discovering he was secretly in love with my mother?

I (33F) have been married to my husband, Daniel (36M), for nine years. We met at college, connected instantly, and got married two years later. Our life seemed perfect: a home we loved, a stable income, and two kids—Emma (6) and Noah (4). Daniel always seemed loving and committed; I trusted him completely.

My mother, Linda (55F), has always been very involved in our family. She often helped with the kids, gave advice on finances and parenting, and I considered her a close confidante. Daniel had always been kind to her, and she seemed fond of him as well.

Over the past year, I began noticing subtle signs that something was off. Daniel started spending more time with my mother than usual. He would go on “business trips” more often, and many of them coincided with times when Linda was visiting. His phone became secretive, and he started hiding messages.

Then, one evening, I returned home unexpectedly from work and saw them together in the garden. At first, it seemed innocent—they were talking quietly—but I noticed the way he looked at her, the intimacy in his tone, the lingering touches on her arm. My heart dropped.

Over the next few weeks, I discreetly gathered evidence. I found text messages, emails, and even receipts showing that Daniel had been secretly taking my mother out for lunch, gifts, and small trips. Their conversations were flirtatious and intimate. I felt sick to my stomach. The man I trusted with my life and the mother I loved had been betraying me in the most personal way imaginable.

I confronted Daniel. At first, he denied everything, claiming it was just “family bonding.” But when I showed him the messages and receipts, he admitted to the emotional affair. He claimed that he had started developing feelings for my mother during a difficult period in our marriage and that he didn’t know how to stop.

I was devastated. How could he, my husband, fall in love with my own mother? How could she participate in this betrayal? I confronted my mother, who initially tried to deny it, but eventually admitted that she had feelings for Daniel as well. She claimed she didn’t want to hurt me, but she enjoyed the attention and intimacy.

The emotional toll was unbearable. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or function normally. Every memory of our family—dinners, vacations, holidays—felt like a lie. I couldn’t imagine staying in a marriage where my husband and mother had shared a secret relationship behind my back.

After weeks of soul-searching and talking to trusted friends, I decided I could no longer stay. I asked Daniel to leave and filed for divorce. I cut off communication with my mother to protect my emotional well-being and my children.

Friends and family are divided. Some say I overreacted, suggesting I try to reconcile for the sake of the kids. Others say I did the right thing, as betrayal this deep cannot be forgiven.

Now, I am slowly rebuilding my life with Emma and Noah, focusing on healing and creating a life based on trust and honesty. The pain remains, but I know leaving was the only way to protect myself and my children.

So, AITA for leaving my husband after discovering he was secretly in love with my mother?