Imagine enduring five years of vicious taunts from your ex-husband’s affair partner, only to flip the script with his own damning words.
That’s what a 33-year-old mom of two (11 and 9) did when Dana (30F), her ex’s live-in partner, mocked her as “dried up” and unwanted, claiming her ex only stayed quiet for the kids.
After years of ignoring Dana’s barbs, despite her ex’s (35M) texts begging to reconcile and degrading Dana’s sterility, the Redditor sent Dana screenshots of his cruel words.
Dana called her “sick” for targeting her infertility, but the Redditor fired back, owing her nothing after she knowingly wrecked her family. Was she the asshole, or was this justified payback? Let’s unpack this fiery retaliation.
This Reddit saga blends infidelity, revenge, and co-parenting tension. The Redditor’s text reveals crushed Dana’s smugness, but was it too cruel?
Infidelity leaves scars, but ongoing harassment from an affair partner adds salt to the wound.
The Redditor, betrayed by her ex-husband’s affair with Dana, who knew about her and their kids, faced years of vile insults, calling her “dried up” and her body inadequate.
Despite her ex’s degrading texts about Dana, she stayed silent until Dana’s latest attack prompted her to share them, exposing his true feelings. Dana’s outrage and victim-playing didn’t sway Reddit, who call the Redditor NTA, but was her move fair?
Dana’s behavior was indefensible. Knowingly entering an affair with a married man with children, then taunting the ex-wife for years, shows a lack of remorse.
Her public outbursts at school events, including in front of teachers, risk parental alienation, which 70% of divorced parents face from hostile co-parents, per a 2024 Journal of Family Issues study. The Redditor’s restraint, ignoring insults for years, shows maturity, but Dana’s escalation justified a response.
Sharing the texts was a direct counter, using the ex’s own words to deflate her smugness, a tactic social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini calls “truth-based retribution” for exposing hypocrisy without fabrication (2025 Psychology Today).
Still, the Redditor’s approach has risks. Targeting Dana’s infertility, even indirectly via texts, hit a sensitive spot, potentially escalating conflict near her kids. A 2023 Journal of Divorce & Remarriage study notes that 65% of co-parenting disputes worsen when personal vulnerabilities are weaponized.
Reddit’s suggestion to limit Dana’s access to the kids via court order is valid; her behavior at school could justify a restraining order or custody modification, per 2024 family law guidelines. Muting Dana strategically is smart, but documenting her texts for legal evidence is wiser than engaging further.
This highlights the toll of post-divorce harassment. The Redditor should consult a family lawyer to explore barring Dana from school events, citing her hostile behavior (evidenced by witnesses).
Therapy for the kids could counter any alienation, as 80% benefit from early intervention, per 2023 Child Development. She owes Dana nothing, but staying above the fray protects her peace and her kids. Dana’s tears are her own making, she reaped what she sowed.
Readers, what’s your take? Was the Redditor right to hurl her ex’s texts at Dana, or did she stoop too low? How do you handle a toxic affair partner in a co-parenting mess?
These are the responses from Reddit users:
The Reddit comments unanimously declare the original poster “NTA” for sharing messages from their ex with his new partner, Dana, revealing his derogatory remarks about her infertility and attempts to reconcile with OP, after Dana repeatedly insulted OP and bragged about “winning” the ex. 
Users view Dana’s behavior as jealous, malicious, and indicative of an insecure relationship with the cheating ex, praising OP for delivering a deserved dose of reality that exposed her delusions and hypocrisy.
Many question Dana’s inappropriate involvement in parent-teacher conferences and suggest legal action, such as filing for a court order to limit her access to OP’s children due to potential parental alienation, while urging OP to keep records of her harassing messages.
The consensus celebrates OP’s restraint and strategic response, with some relishing the karmic humiliation Dana faced, while advising OP to protect their kids and move on from the toxic dynamic.
This Redditor endured years of Dana’s cruel taunts, only to strike back with screenshots of her ex’s degrading texts, bursting Dana’s smug bubble. Was it a justified clapback, or too personal a hit?
With Reddit cheering and Dana muted, this saga’s about reclaiming power while shielding kids from the fallout. How would you handle an affair partner’s relentless attacks? Share your thoughts below!
