I’m a 29YO woman, and I’ve been married to my husband, who is 40, for 2 years. We have a 1YO son, and for nearly a year, we’ve had a babysitter, Lucia (20F) who was hired through an agency. She has been fantastic with our son-always energetic, patient, and very responsible.

Lucia blended into our family so seamlessly that it almost felt like she belonged with us. My son really adores her. However, a few months ago, I began to sense something unusual between Lucia and my husband. They were frequently texting each other, and it wasn’t just about our son or their schedule; it included jokes and random conversations. When I brought it up to my husband, he insisted it was merely casual chit-chat. I felt foolish for mentioning it, so I decided to let it go.

Then last week, I got home earlier than usual and noticed my husband and the nanny sitting very close. They quickly stood up, acting awkwardly. That night, I confronted my husband, and he admitted to “seeing” her for a while. But it gets worse: when I called the agency to report her, they told me that my husband had already called earlier that day. It turns out he fabricated a story about her being “unreliable” and had her dismissed from the agency!

He claims he did it to “protect us” because things were becoming complicated, but I genuinely believe he’s just trying to hide his own mistakes. Now, I’m considering ending our relationship. I feel utterly betrayed by the two people I trusted with my son. However, he insists that I’m overreacting and says I’d be “throwing away our family” if I left him over this “misunderstanding.” I’m at a loss about what to do next. Is it really as serious as I think it is, or am I just being dramatic?

Sincerely, Claire