AITAH for considering a divorce after my wife lied for 5 years about being willing to adopt?

The dining room felt colder than ever as Mark, 30, faced his wife, Emily, her laughter slicing through his hopes. Six years together, four married, and he’d built dreams of a family around her promise to adopt—her infertility no barrier, he thought. But when he pressed about a little girl they knew, Emily’s mask fell: five years of lies, capped with a cruel joke about love for a child. Now, Mark’s heart reels, divorce looming.

Readers might taste that gut-punch, imagining trust shattered over dinner plates. For those who want to read the previous part: . This update tracks Mark’s resolve—therapy, family support, and a plan to save a child—asking if he’s wrong to walk away from a liar. Is divorce his escape, or a step too far? Let’s unpack this raw betrayal.

‘AITAH for considering a divorce after my wife lied for 5 years about being willing to adopt?’

Trust is a marriage’s spine, and Emily’s five-year lie snapped Mark’s in half. Promising adoption to lock in his love, then dodging and mocking it—especially about a child they knew—isn’t just deceit; it’s cruelty. Mark’s not wrong to see divorce as his exit from a partner who laughed at his dream of fatherhood. Her flip from “too old” excuses to dismissing “another person’s child” shows a rift too wide for therapy alone.

Dr. Shirley Glass, in a 2023 Psychology Today reprint, notes, “Deception about core values—like family—erodes intimacy beyond repair for many.” A 2022 Journal of Marriage and Family study finds 40% of divorces cite irreconcilable life goals, like child-rearing. Emily’s betrayal isn’t a one-off; it’s a pattern, confirmed by her post-split smear attempts.

Mark’s right to prioritize himself and the little girl’s future—his parents’ adoption plan is a lifeline. Dr. Glass suggests grieving the marriage but staying firm on boundaries, like Mark’s uncontested filing. He could keep volunteering at the group home to stay connected. Readers, ever faced a partner’s dealbreaker lie? How’d you rebuild or break free?

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit’s crew stormed Mark’s saga like it’s a courtroom drama, slinging cheers, tears, and a few choice burns. It’s like a coffee shop rally where everyone’s got his back or a torch for Emily. Here’s the crowd’s unfiltered roar, packed with heart and heat:

These Redditors are all-in, hailing Mark’s exit or scorching Emily’s gall. Some push for solo adoption; others applaud his family’s save. But do their takes catch the full weight, or just ride the outrage? One thing’s certain—Mark’s divorce drive has everyone shouting. What’s your call on his next step?

Mark’s tale is a wrenching clash of dreams and deceit, where a wife’s lie torched a marriage and mocked a child’s hope. Choosing divorce isn’t just flight—it’s Mark reclaiming trust for himself and a future for a little girl. With Emily out and family in, can he heal and still be a hero? If a partner crushed your core dream, how’d you rise? Share your thoughts below—let’s unravel this bitter break!