- The cheating spouse themself suffers. Contrary to what us betrayed spouses think, they are usually NOT enjoying their affairs. Trying to live the level of deceit necessary to pull it off is unbelievably stressful, the guilt tears at them, they often lose close family and friend relationships as those people learn about the infidelity, and cheaters often lose weight and overall physical health and rigor. They are often borderline or outright depressed. IT'S NOT PRETTY.
I want to add something here, just for the men, and I'm going to be harsh so be forewarned. MIR, this is not directed specifically at you, although it does carry "if the shoe fits" caveat:
OM are -- by definition -- PREDATORS. They are literally PREYING on your wife, and on your family, and on your family's finances, emotional and even physical health.
[b]Who are you to sit passively by -- usually in just plain old-fashioned FEAR -- and have your family PREYED UPON by another man? Did you not say a vow on your wedding day to "protect" this woman? What the hell are you thinking? Is your fear -- and your co-dependent, "pleaser/conflict-avoider" personality (and I say this as a man who is BOTH) -- more important to you than your DUTY to protect your wife and your family???
I know what people are going to say: "you can't control another adult." No, you can't. But you can damned sure throw every conceivable thing you've GOT at it, and be the sheepdog that God intended for you to go when the wolf is at the door of your family.
