Hi everyone, Hannah here. I’m a 38-year-old mom of two amazing kids (seven and five), and I’ve been married to my husband, Luke, for nearly a decade. I’m sharing a difficult story with you all today because I believe it’s important to speak up. Our recent trip to Mexico took a shocking turn that I never saw coming.

Imagine this: we’re in Mexico, surrounded by stunning beaches and gorgeous weather. This trip was supposed to be our time to reconnect, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. But right from the start, Luke was acting strange. Every time I asked him to take a photo of me or with me, he’d brush it off.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. Maybe he was just tired from the travel, right? But then it kept happening. I felt hurt and confused. We were on this beautiful beach, and I wanted a picture with the sunset, but Luke snapped at me and turned away. I was embarrassed.

Throughout the trip, I noticed him being extra protective of his phone. He’d hide the screen whenever I walked by and took it with him, even to the bathroom. My gut told me something was off, but I tried to ignore it.

One afternoon, when Luke was in the shower, I saw his phone lying on the bed. I know invading someone’s privacy is wrong, but I couldn’t resist. I quickly unlocked his phone and opened his recent messages. What I read made my blood run cold. He was mocking me to his friends, saying cruel things about my weight and how I hadn’t been the same since giving birth.

I felt devastated and betrayed. This was the man I loved, the father of my children, saying such awful things behind my back. I cried quietly, not wanting the kids to hear. But then, my sadness turned into anger. I wasn’t going to let him get away with this.

I selected the best photos I had taken of myself during the trip and posted them on Facebook. I captioned it, “Looking for a new vacation partner. Am I really so unattractive that even my husband doesn’t want to take pictures of me?” The response was overwhelming. Friends and acquaintances left supportive comments, shocked at Luke’s behavior. I didn’t reveal the specifics of what he said, but my message was clear.

When Luke saw the post, he knew something had shifted. He tried to apologize, but it was too little too late. He even suggested I use my inheritance to hire a trainer and lose weight. That was the final straw. I told him I was divorcing him.

He begged me not to leave him, mentioning his plans to buy a new SUV with my money. It hit me then how little he valued me. It wasn’t about our relationship or our family; it was about what my money could do for him. I left him, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.

Returning home, I received an outpouring of support from friends and family. Their words helped me regain my confidence and belief in my own worth. I realized that I didn’t need someone like Luke to validate my beauty or value. I decided to focus on myself and my kids.

I started working out and taking up new hobbies not because Luke suggested it, but because I wanted to feel healthier and stronger. I surrounded myself with supportive friends, and even considered going back to school.

One day, I ran into Luke at the mall. He tried to strike up a conversation, but I shut it down. I was now free to live my life on my terms and feel comfortable in my own skin. I had moved forward with strength and self-love.

So, what do you think? Did I handle things correctly or was my reaction a little too overboard? What would you have done differently in my shoes? Let me know your thoughts.