I remember when my first love cheated on me. I had just proposed to her. She was the only girl I ever loved and it had taken me to my mid 20's to find her. I loved this women with my whole heart and she had shown no signs of cheating. I was never a "nice guy" codependency type though, but still she did it when she went on a trip. But here is the deal I had never been in love before and was convinced without a shadow of a doubt that I would never love like that again, that if I gave her up I was basically going to be alone for the rest of my life.

So I did the bravest thing I think I ever did in my whole life, I ghosted. I knew I would never love again but for my own sanity and out of self respect I gave up on the thought of love and happiness. The first month was the most painful of my entire life. Even moment was excruciating. I like you felt so hopeless. However every month saw the pain get less and less. By a year I was no longer in pain and the girl was just a thought I had for a few moments every day. By two years I was dating and because of my experience of being in love I had a lot more confidence this time. So I was having much more success. At two in a half years I met my wife. We have been married 14 years.

https://www.talkaboutmarriage.com/threads/marriage-destroyed-by-wifes-infidelity.404946/