Wedding Woes

Don't tell him

Dear Prudence,

My husband has not been loyal. In our 20s it was sex with other people, but in our 30s and 40s it’s been emotional affairs. I found out about the physical affairs when I had a kid and no job and was trapped. I also forgave the first emotional affair, but now we’re onto the second and I’m just done. Divorce is in the works.

However, this latest woman is unlike the rest, who were single, or slept with my husband along with their boyfriend or husband, too. This one is married, trapped with small kids, and is without a well-paying job. She a husband who wants polyamory. Sounds a bit familiar to me! I think that’s why I’m so mad—this woman’s experiences are the exact same as mine and she still had the gall to develop a relationship with my husband behind my back. My husband has said she struggled because she knew it was wrong but didn’t cut him off … until I found out about her, added her on social media, and she freaked out that I would tell her husband.

I am dealing with my husband but I think her husband also deserves to know. Her husband never cheated (per se) on her—he was open and honest about what he wanted and she even met his girlfriend several times. She is lying to him now. I feel like she shouldn’t get away with it. Ethically, do I tell him?

Re: Don't tell him

  • Woah. You added her on the socials? And she accepted you as a friend? This is weird to me. 

  • There is a case to be had to tell a spouse who might be in danger of STDs and the like, but this guy is also sleeping around. You just want to blow up her life because you're mad. Focus your anger on where it belongs - your cheating husband. Block her everywhere and move on with your life. 
  • I'm more disturbed the other woman sounds afraid of her H knowing she had an emotional affair, even though he's introducing his girlfriend to her.

    It sounds like by having the polyamorous relationship he wants, instead of an "open marriage", that "their" rule...more like "his" rule...is he can do whatever he wants with other women, but his wife has to stay faithful to him.

    That sounds like an extremely controlling and possibly abusive man.

    I wonder how "ethical" the LW would feel if this man refuses to let his wife leave the house anymore or refuses to give her money or beats her to death, when he hears about the emotional affair.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • You don't actually care about whether her husband knows what's going on or not. You're just looking to be spiteful. Stay out of it.
    image
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards