Usually when it happens quickly as you've described, your wife started out in a friendship that very very gradually crossed the line into becoming inappropriate. When she realized that she was over the line, she felt very guilty and conflicted about what she was doing. The new relationship feels *so good* that it's almost impossible to give up. Therefore, the only way to feel good about things is to convince herself that she's being righteous, and the only way to do that is to make you the villain, or the source of her discontent.
Yes Sir! Accuray is Correct!
Unfortunately, when you get to this point, she resents you. If you want to save your marriage, whatever you do right now needs to be measured against a yardstick of resentment -- will your actions create more resentment, or less?
When you pursue her, she resents you because you are expecting her to reciprocate and she doesn't want to.
ZERO EXPECTATIONS!! I mean ZERO!!
When you make her responsible for your feelings by being upset around her, she resents you because she doesn't want to be responsible for you.
No they do not!
If you shame her, she will resent you for making her feel badly.
Yes she will!
Basically ANY form of pursuit or relationship discussion will result in resentment and push her farther away.
Do not, under any circumstances pursue! Easier said than done, but take it from us who have all made that mistake at the beginning!
So what can you do?
Unfortunately, you can't begin repairing things while another man is involved, it's just impossible. All you can do is (1) not make things worse and push her away further, and (2) spend the time to work on yourself and become a husband that only a fool would leave.
She is only concerned about herslef right now, so you definitely have to work on "YOU" and spend as much time with your kids as possible!
This is a marathon, not a sprint, and the majority of it is simply a waiting game. The best thing you can do is give her space, and create a life for yourself. Get out and meet new people, pick up new hobbies. Be pleasant to her, treat her like a friendly co-worker. Do not share intimate details of how you're feeling, don't go out of your way to do anything for her. Don't seek her out.
If she approaches you, you can mirror, but do not escalate. i.e. if she hugs you, you can hug her back, but don't kiss her, that kind of thing. Do NOT say "I love you" for any reason. There is no need to explain how you're feeling or what you want because right now she understands how you feel and she doesn't care -- it's not about you right now.
This is a horrible, horrible thing you're facing, but you're not alone. Post often, even if it's just journaling, and read the books. Realize that you will not see any progress or improvement for quite some time. Before that can happen, things with OM need to be over, she needs to grieve the loss of that relationship, she needs to see and believe that you are acting differently than you did in the past, and that a relationship with you in the future would be different and better than your old marriage. She doesn't want to go back there, so if she thinks it will be more of the same she won't be interested.
Take the time to understand what she needs, what your issues are, and what you need to do to be the best relationship partner possible. No matter what happens with her, that will serve you well -- you'll come out of this a better person and will have better relationships going forward, and that's the silver lining in an otherwise terrible turn of events.
We will all concur with everything that Accuray has posted!!
Accuray
There is some good advice on here & all from those who truly believe in the sancity of Marriage! Keep your chin up, and by all means keep the HOPE alive, but not in front of her!
Hopefully Starsky, Denver, & some of the other Vets will chime in soon as well.
