Triumph After Disaster

You didn’t ask for your partner’s affair—but you can choose what happens next.
Maybe you just found out. Maybe it’s been months, or even years, but the pain still feels fresh. You’re reeling from the betrayal. The lies. The silence.
You never imagined your relationship would end up here. Now you’re stuck between two impossible choices: Stay and try to rebuild... or leave and start over.
And no matter what anyone tells you, neither option feels simple—or safe.
You’re grieving the life you thought you had. You’re angry, heartbroken, confused—and exhausted from pretending you’re okay. If you’re wondering how to move forward, or if it’s even possible, keep reading.
Inside 
Triumph After Disaster, a step-by-step guide to navigating the fallout of betrayal, you’ll discover:

Why betrayal triggers deep identity confusion—and how to find your footing when everything feels foreign

The surprising role of childhood trauma in both betrayal and healing (this insight alone can shift your recovery)

What couples therapists want you to stop doing immediately after an affair—and what to try instead

The healing habit that quietly rewires your nervous system and helps you feel safe in your body again

You didn’t choose this pain—but you can choose what you do with it.


Whether you stay or go, and whether you’re starting over or trying to heal together, this book gives you the tools, language, and clarity to reclaim your peace. You’ll learn how to:

Rebuild trust

Cultivate gratitude without gaslighting yourself

Embrace unshakeable courage as you keep moving forward

You’ll come to understand:
Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting.
It’s about choosing to free yourself of the burden
—whether or not you ever reconcile.
And however broken you feel, you’re not powerless.


Most of all, throughout this process, remember to be kind to yourself. You’re healing. You’re growing stronger.
And no matter what happens next, you’re the one in charge.

Copyright Melanie Catlin Schaafsma 2025.

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