Repeating the cycle - I went through that with my ex. Turning 40 bothered him, setting off a mini MLC that culminated in him having an affair at 42. I DB'd like crazy, we had a good reconciliation and several good years until he was approaching 50 - then serious MLC kicked in and off he went. In retrospect, he had other issues -narcissism- which was always present, just worsened with age and multiple concussions. But I also think that once the genie is out of the bottle - once a spouse has cheated - it's always an option in their mind to exit that way. (Not to say some don't sincerely regret their affair and remain steadfast in their marriage after - I've seen that IRL. But for many, that option, once exercised, remains a possibility in their mind).
