Please be kind. NC for this thread and posting on behalf of a friend.
TL:DR what did you do if you didn't want to share the reasons for your relationship ending?
Friend is in a long marriage - 30+ years, 3 adult DC.
In January, she discovered her H is a sex addict. Up to now, I was sceptical at the whole concept, I thought it was the excuse that celebs rolled out when they were caught shagging the nanny so they could swan off to a luxury treatment facility and ask for privacy to heal.
The reality is a lot more sordid and destructive. His actions have infected every part of their lives and she has decided she wants out. They are separated. He is in treatment but it is very early days.
Understandably, they have not shared the reason. Family and friends are baffled and family in particular are asking why throw away (on the face of it) a successful marriage. Friend is not in a place where she wants to explain what her H has been doing to her mum and dad, or to her sons. I am her oldest and best friend so I know most of it.
What I'm asking here is, is there an easy way to deflect questions, other than "it's private" or "it's complicated". Friend doesn't want to lie but feels under pressure to justify her decision in a way that people understand.