Dear Dr. Flex, I recently found out that after eight years of marriage to my wife, she had affairs with two different men. She was with the first man before our marriage and went back to him two years after. They eventually broke up and she met the second man. I had opportunities to but never cheated. I showed up at her workplace one day and the first affair man was there. After she let me in the office, she said they were on an important conference call. She lied and I trusted her. She carried on the affair for quite some time. I have lost respect for her. I have no desire to do things with her.
She seems like somebody I never really knew. I feel like we will never share the same level of happiness. We talk a lot about it and she says she is remorseful. She cries and says she is ashamed. I, of course, still love her, but the feeling is fading. It is strange and empty now, hard to understand how she could be in such a different place for so long and lie to me about it. I feel compelled to write you, as I am really confused. Any advice given will be much appreciated. W.B., Bull Bay, St. Andrew
Dear W.B.,
Infidelity is the biggest cause of relationship failure and divorce today. It takes a lot of work to get over one instance of infidelity in a loving relationship. In my opinion, if it happens twice, that person is out of my life. Trust is the hardest element to put back into a relationship, and it sounds like you have put up with far too much in this relationship.
You say you have no desire to do anything with her, and that your love is fading. I feel you have answered your own question here, and now have to muster the courage to deal with the situation once and for all.
I will say too you though, I have worked with couples in similar situations, and miracles can happen. What it entails is a trial separation, working twice a week with a trained therapist or counsellor, and a lot of hard work on both sides to bring the relationship back to a point of love. This does not occur overnight. I feel you need to have a very heart to heart honest discussion with your wife, and truly bare all your feelings and emotions to her. When you do this, make sure you look straight into her eyes, and dont let her eyes leave yours. This way she will feel your words, and you can discuss your choices.