AITA for leaving my husband after discovering he was secretly cheating with our maid?

I (32F) have been married to my husband, Daniel (35M), for seven years. We met in college, connected instantly, and married two years later. We have two children, Lily (5) and Noah (3), and a cozy home that we both loved. Daniel worked in finance, while I ran a small consulting business from home.

About a year ago, we hired a maid, Maria (24F), to help with house chores and the children because my schedule had become hectic. Maria was sweet, polite, and trustworthy, and I never suspected she would be part of any trouble. Initially, everything seemed normal.

Over the next few months, I started noticing subtle changes. Daniel would take longer “work trips,” come home late, and often text secretly while Maria was around. I noticed them laughing together a bit too intimately, and at first, I brushed it off as harmless joking.

One evening, I came home unexpectedly and found Daniel and Maria sitting very close on the couch. They were whispering and occasionally touching each other’s hands. My heart sank. I couldn’t believe the betrayal—I had trusted both of them completely.

I decided to investigate discreetly. Over the next few weeks, I checked Daniel’s phone and discovered months of intimate and flirtatious messages between him and Maria. They had been arranging secret meetups, sending affectionate texts, and planning private dinners—all behind my back. My stomach dropped, and I felt utterly humiliated.

I confronted Daniel. At first, he denied everything, claiming it was innocent joking. But when I showed him the evidence, he admitted to having an affair with Maria. He said it started emotionally and “spiraled out of control.” He begged me to forgive him, promising it would never happen again.

I also confronted Maria. She admitted she knew he was married but tried to justify herself, saying she “didn’t want to hurt anyone, but she fell for him.” Her lack of genuine remorse made my anger and heartbreak worse.

The emotional toll was unbearable. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or focus. Every memory of Daniel—the vacations, birthdays, quiet nights at home—felt tainted. I realized I could no longer trust him, and I couldn’t stay in a marriage where betrayal was this deep.

After weeks of reflection, I asked Daniel to leave and filed for divorce. Some friends advised me to forgive him for the sake of the children, while others supported my decision, saying betrayal of this magnitude cannot be overlooked.

Now, months later, I am rebuilding my life with Lily and Noah, focusing on healing, my business, and teaching my children about trust. The pain remains, but I know leaving was the only way to protect myself and my family.

So, AITA for leaving my husband after discovering he was secretly cheating with our maid?