There's a group of us at my work place who socialise together a lot.
One of them, let's call her M, is my closest friend in the group.
Another, let's call him J, joined the company a couple of years back. We all went to the evening of his wedding shortly after he joined. His wife seemed a lovely lady. She'd often invite the women of the group to go out with her and her friends, but I was never able to make it.
M went on maternity leave late last year and in that time, J confided in a few of us that his wife had left him. This was a real surprise to everyone.
They separated a while back now, maybe 6 months. She's moved out. It's not widely known that they've split. M, in particular, wasn't aware at all as she's been out of the loop on her mat leave.
About a month ago, J and I started seeing each other. Nothing serious but it's fun. None of our colleagues know, although I suspect a couple may have an inkling. I was in no way responsible for their break-up. We got together long after she left.
M just came back from mat leave and J told her he was getting divorced.
Since then, she's barely stopped talking to me about how shocked she is and how happy they seemed, and asking if I think he's ok
She's such a close friend and I feel so crappy keeping it from her. She's the one person I always confide in about relationship stuff. She'd be hurt that I'd lied to her if she found out but I worry she'd judge me if she knew. Every time she tells me how worried she is about him, I have to bite my lip not to tell her. I'm also very worried she'll hear a rumour about it and ask me.
J doesn't really care if anyone knows but I do. I feel like I'll be viewed as a home wrecker, which is absolutely not the case.