Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Work Affair

56 replies

Kookerbee · 30/05/2016 08:35

Hi Everyone,
I need some serious advice, and I'm hoping you can help me. I had an affair with a colleague this week while traveling for a conference (I know...cliche). After 8 years with my DH, with zero passion or sexual relationship for the past two, I let myself get carried away because I felt beautiful and attractive and seen by someone. This is no excuse - OM and I have agreed that it ends and that it stays between us. We did not sleep together, btw, but close enough.
I'm already realizing what an idiot I am and how much it would hurt DH to learn that I've betrayed him. I'm already seeing a counselor, and I'm going to work on this with her so that I can take steps to improve my marriage. He's a wonderful husband, I love him, and I realize I have not tried my best to remedy our issues.
The big issue is that OM and I work together, closely. I'm not worried about a repeat incident, but I can't just end contact. Plus, he and I had a strong friendship and working relationship prior to this happening, and both feel committed to maintaining a good professional relationship. We both adore our jobs.
Do you think it's possible for this situation to be okay? I'm looking for honest feedback - even if it's hard for me to hear - but I know I'm 100% in the wrong and I am owning this mistake.

OP posts:
AnchorDownDeepBreath · 31/05/2016 10:11

Irishdad, the checking in was more to get reassurance that nobody plans to say anything to anybody, but I do see the ridiculousness.

That is ludicrous. It's an attempt to keep contact going.

If you'd robbed a bank with him, would you keep texting him to make sure he wasn't telling anyone? Creating more evidence?

In situations where someone "rescued" someone else - usually from an abusive relationship or violence or a horrible family - there tends to come a time when you outgrow your rescuer. He is still stable and loving and trust-worthy, but he becomes more of a parental figure, a safe place, rather than an exciting person. In some cases it's possible to manufacture a sexual relationship that evens things up, to realign things now that you're equals. In your case, it seems that DH probably doesn't miss the sexual side, and he's had these issues before. That may mean you've outgrown this.

It's still your choice to stay, or not. It's not fair to cheat on him, though. Cheating on him twice at a conference has to be the most unsubtle place, and you're making excuses already - you know it hurts, but your remorse is mixed up with other feelings... It's romanticising what you're doing. You are making it something exciting, illicit. The thrill is cancelling out the guilt for now. Maybe there isn't guilt, but you feel there should be.

You need to stop talking to OM. Whether you want to admit it or not, you have an attraction to him, you've trashed your boundaries and you're at least starting to develop feelings for him. If you can't stop all interactions, you need to make any necessary ones stoically business-like.

Whether you tell your husband is a dilemma for your moral concious. I'd want to know, if I was him, but equally you're then sharing your unhappiness and lessening your own burden, and adding to his. That's not especially fair. Consider that everyone sees everything on conferences, though, so this may well get back to him, even if it takes months.

Joysmum · 31/05/2016 13:05

Mysteries I think that most partners will have very clear boundaries and have discussed this at some point, it's not a one size fits all.

DH and I are very clear. I expect full honesty and complete faithfulness. He knows my boundaries and knows that if he needs to look elsewhere I'd expect nothing less than being given the option to leave. I've had a less than wonderful previous relationship that almost broke me as I didn't know what he was like as he kept that side of himself hidden. DH knows this.

Others may not care about one night stands or even have open relationships or practice polygamy. That's up to them.

Point is, if the only reason holding you back from telling is because you fear your partner won't feel the same about you then that's the wrong reason not to say anything. Their rights to their boundaries, whatever they are, trump your wish to protect yourself.

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 31/05/2016 13:37

Joysmum - You are very clear about what you want and need, and that's fine. But I personally don't feel that anybody's particular need "trumps" anyone else's. We're all autonomous human beings and free to make the best judgement calls we can.

You - perhaps for good reason - appear to value honesty most. That's fine. Me, I prefer happiness.

whywhywhyYYYY · 31/05/2016 15:06

I had an affair with a colleague this week while traveling for a conference

Not what you asked but if this happened in Budapest I have a sinking feeling I know who you and OM are. If not, we can rest assured that everyone is at it when at conferences.

Do you think it's possible for this situation to be okay?

Doubtful because he will have a sense that there is a spring to be tapped and will probably have another go. This will cause work conflict/difficultly anyway - no matter how resolute you are. It's difficult to uncross a line once it has been crossed.

arsenaltilidie · 31/05/2016 17:09

The real issue isnt the drunken fumble with the OM. He could have been anyone that gave you a bit of attention.
The real problem is , zero passion or sexual relationship for the past two [years]

AddToBasket · 31/05/2016 20:46

God, OP, please come back on and tell us it wasn't you in Budapest and reassure us that you aren't office gossip.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page