Stub, a week away for S might be a good thing but I wouldn't consider it a trial separation unless that is what she is contemplating here. Time to clear her head without you and OW around may be helpful. I would support her in doing so. As far as D8 why not just say "S is housesitting for a week for a friend", D doesn't need to know anything else. I found your comments re S and sacrifice to be similar to my sitch. My W resents having to care for me because she got so little as a child! She hasn't figured out that the way to get more of what you need is to start giving it! Your S needs to figure that out to, that it's not all about her. It's not a lesson we can teach, sadly and, in my case, separation is basically the result. Hang in there Stub, you've outlasted me and that's apparently quite a feat! I'll keep checking in on you.
