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

I (33F) have been married to my husband, Mark (36M), for eight years. We met in college, bonded over shared interests like music and travel, and married two years later. We have two children—Ella (6) and Liam (4). On the surface, everything seemed stable, happy, and ordinary. Mark appeared loving, attentive, and trustworthy.

My mother, Linda (55F), has always been very involved in our family. She helps with the children, gives advice, and has always been a close confidante. I trusted her completely, and she seemed to have a friendly and respectful relationship with Mark.

About a year ago, I noticed subtle signs that something was off. Mark started taking longer “work trips” that coincided with my mother’s visits. He became secretive with his phone and laptop, deleting messages or taking calls privately. I noticed unusual fondness in his tone when he spoke about my mother and lingering smiles when she visited.

One afternoon, I returned home unexpectedly and found Mark and my mother in the garden. At first, it seemed like casual conversation, but then I noticed the way he looked at her, the intimacy in their gestures, and the subtle touches. My heart sank.

Over the next few weeks, I discreetly checked for evidence. I discovered flirtatious messages, emails, and notes exchanged between Mark and my mother. They had been carrying on a secret emotional connection behind my back. I was horrified—my husband and my mother, two people I trusted most, had been betraying me.

I confronted Mark. At first, he denied it, claiming I was “overreacting” and misinterpreting things. But when I showed him the messages, he admitted to the affair. He said it started emotionally, that he felt disconnected from me, and that my mother “understood him in ways I couldn’t.”

I confronted my mother as well. She admitted she had feelings for Mark but tried to justify it, claiming she didn’t want to hurt me. Her lack of remorse and the betrayal left me feeling humiliated, heartbroken, and utterly devastated.

The emotional toll was unbearable. I couldn’t sleep, eat, or concentrate. Every memory of our family—vacations, birthdays, quiet nights at home—felt tainted. I realized I could no longer trust Mark, and I couldn’t remain in a marriage where betrayal was this deep.

After weeks of reflection and discussions with close friends, I asked Mark to leave and filed for divorce. Some friends suggested I forgive him for the sake of the children; others supported my decision, saying betrayal of this magnitude is unforgivable.

Now, months later, I am slowly rebuilding my life with Ella and Liam, focusing on healing, work, and protecting my children’s emotional well-being. I am learning to trust myself again and creating a life free from deception.

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