Do relationships work the second time around

[QuirkyPearlPoet]

I know men don't usually talk about this very often but I have been left depressed and lonely after being cheated on after a very happy relationship of 18 years and just fear having to start all over again when I thought my life was mapped out with the love of my life and our son.
My ex partner walked out on myself and our 18 year old son with whom she was joined at the hip with until the day she walked out which although he doesn't show it must break his beautiful heart.
She moved in with the person she had the affair with just over a year ago and we have only seen her a handful of times since then.
We are both hoping that she will regret it and that the grass is not always greener.
At what point do we both stop living a live of hope and realise we're living a life of hurt?

Men don't talk about these things often but you definitely should. It's surely a weight off your chest to get it out there in writing?

From what you've wrote, she's abandoned her own son and her husband for an exciting new fling. She doesn't come across to be a very respectable woman because any decent mother would NEVER choose another man over her own son. The fact she's only seen her son a handful of times is disgraceful, but take solace in the fact that you're clearly a trusted and responsible father as she's left him with you.

You have a right to feel heartbroken - I'd feel betrayed too. But her leaving gives you an opportunity to love and be loved by someone new who is genuine and loyal. So try to view it in that light if you can! A break up after 18 years is never going to be easily dealt with. It will hurt for a long time but I promise that the hurt does come to an end. Change takes time for the brain to adapt to it. Distractions and time to just allow your emotions to breathe helps.

Big hugs OP.

You're asking if relationships work the second time round but you need to stop thinking like this. She isn't even talking to you. A 'second time around' isn't even a possibility.

After 18 months, she isn't coming back and would you really want her to? After how she has behaved in the last 18 months?

I would suggest some counselling to enable you to move on and to support your son.

You need to find your anger and then your peace. Most of all, your peace.