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Infidelity without splitting up?
It can work but it takes a huge leap of faith and a lot of tears. And perhaps a new house.
A few years ago, the partner of a very good friend of mine cheated on her in a horrible, shocking, incredibly disloyal way (not there are any “nice” ways to be unfaithful, I know). Gory details below.
This was a couple that my partner and I socialised with a lot. They had been friends with my partner for over 20 years and had warmly welcomed me into their lives when my partner and I got together. We had BBQs together with our families, birthdays, Christmases and New Year’s Eve. We had holidayed together — basically lived in each other’s pockets.
Then a bomb went off in spectacular fashion.
Fast forward 3 years though, and they are still together (although they did separate for about 4 months at one point). We caught up with them recently after not seeing them much for a while. It was interesting to have that break from their company and then be able to observe their dynamic with a bit of objectivity.
It was our first visit to the place they are renting while they await the settlement of the purchase of their new apartment — a gorgeous, light-filled space with amazing ocean views. A “lock-n-leave down-sizer” as grown-up kids and the lure to travel are on the horizon.