That night, I watched hidden nanny cam footage showing Lizzie and Daniel close together. The truth was clear in the still frame of their smiles and touches. I didn’t yell or cry then—I just knew things would never be the same. The quiet weight of that moment changed everything for me.

In the days that followed, I found strength in standing my ground for Tess. I let her love who loved her, even if that wasn’t me alone. And when she fell asleep beside me on the beach, I let my tears fall quietly, knowing I was still here—for her, and for myself. It was the beginning of healing, one small step at a time.