Sometimes, the deepest wounds don’t come from strangers—they come from the people we thought would protect us.
That’s exactly what happened to writer Hannah Pittard, who opened up about the unraveling of both her marriage and her long-time friendship with someone she once admired deeply.
What started as a friendship between two very different women turned into an emotional rollercoaster of love, betrayal, and painful self-discovery.
A Friendship That Seemed Meant to Be
Back in 2003, Hannah met Trish when they were both graduate students.
At the time, Hannah was shy and introverted, while Trish was the life of the party—outgoing, magnetic, and always surrounded by admirers.
In Hannah’s words, Trish was one of those effortlessly cool people who floated through life with charm and confidence.
They hit it off, and soon Trish introduced Hannah to Patrick—a bookish, music-loving guy with a knack for Scrabble.
After years of friendship, Hannah and Patrick eventually started dating.
The Subtle Warning Signs
Right from the start, Trish made offhand comments that stuck with Hannah.
She’d mentioned how attractive Patrick was and even admitted she might’ve had a crush on him if she hadn’t been with her own boyfriend. That planted a seed of discomfort.
As time went on, Hannah began to notice something darker—a competitive energy in Trish that surfaced whenever alcohol was involved.
Despite growing mistrust, Hannah kept the friendship alive, even when she felt emotionally drained by it.
A Wedding She Didn’t Want to Share
By 2006, Hannah and Patrick got married.
She had hoped to keep the wedding intimate and drama-free—but Patrick insisted that Trish and her partner be there.
Hannah gave in, even though a part of her still didn’t feel safe around her old friend.
The marriage started strong, but financial stress and growing emotional distance took a toll.
The joy that once filled their home turned into quiet tension.
A Casual Dinner That Changed Everything
Fast forward to July 2016: Hannah was in New York for her book launch, and had dinner with a close friend named Hugh, who also knew Patrick from way back.
That night, as they chatted like teenagers on an air mattress, Hugh dropped a cryptic bombshell: “You should be more suspicious.”
After some pressing, Hugh finally confirmed Hannah’s worst fear—Patrick had cheated on her. And the woman? It was Trish.
The Numbness Before the Storm
The confirmation didn’t bring tears—at least not right away. Hannah felt frozen, almost detached.
But when she called Trish the next morning, her silence said everything.
Then, after a short pause, Trish finally admitted to the affair—saying it had happened more than once.
What shocked Hannah even more was Trish’s claim that Patrick orchestrated the whole thing.
“He told me you’ve always been jealous of me,” Trish added, trying to paint herself as a victim in the story too.
The Final Blow and a Public Smile
Patrick called Hannah not long after. He confirmed the affair and confessed that, yes, he had feelings for Trish—“but it’s complicated,” he added.
Despite everything, Hannah pulled herself together and attended her book launch that night.
She read from her work, mingled, and held it all in until dinner, when the emotions finally spilled out in tears.
One More Call… and Then the Goodbye
Patrick wasn’t done. He flew to New York and tried to reach her—but this time, not alone.
Trish was with him. Hannah could hear her voice in the background as they argued.
The pain of hearing them together was overwhelming, and that’s when Hannah knew the relationship was truly over.
The Aftermath and a New Chapter
On the train to Washington, D.C., Hannah cried uncontrollably, prompting a stranger to offer kind—but heartbreaking—words.
When she returned home, she started divorce proceedings right away.
Within 18 months, Patrick and Trish were married.
During the pandemic, Hannah turned her pain into purpose.
She wrote a memoir, We Are Too Many, chronicling her experience.
Today, she’s in a happy relationship—but she says marriage isn’t something she’s looking to revisit.
Healing Doesn’t Mean Forgetting
Hannah’s story is raw, relatable, and a reminder of how betrayal can cut from both sides—through love and friendship.
But more than that, it’s a story of resilience.
She found her voice again, wrote her truth, and moved forward on her own terms.