LRT - Does it leave open for OW?

[ClingingToHope]

The only thing I struggle with is that I just know how stubborn he is (from the past 9 years with him) - it seems he would rather let it fail then have to put his ego aside (and in this case, be the one to initiate contact/reconciliation).

I have thought about this too. I've seen time and time again my W overreact and burn bridges and then, no matter what, not go back on a comment or apologize for being wrong.

Even if my W runs out of money, becomes miserable sitting at home watching movies alone or getting drunk in dive bars, that she won't turn back to our M.

That would be admitting she was wrong in the first place and she just doesn't do that. She's had self-esteem issues her whole life and being right is just so important to her.

At first, I'd imagine all these scenarios of how we'd reconnect. Now, try as I might, I can't come up with anything. The decision has been made and, right or wrong, she's going to follow through.

I can't help you there, I guess. The only thing I can say is to ask if you could step back into your M without your H making any changes whatsoever, would you be happy?

Me. No. It would mean going back to a M with no physical intimacy. One person's mood affecting the entire family. Binge spending to keep her out of depression. Lots of silence.

I've worked hard on realizing what I did wrong and the list is long. I'd love to be the husband I believe I can be. But she'd have to recommit and make an effort to fill my needs as well.