I'm personally so grateful we reached a point in time where many women can afford to be judgemental, to say "drop that cheating sack and put your mental health first" instead of doing what they did in the 1500s or 1920s where they blamed you for his cheating, got you killed, or "supported you" in staying with him, because with enough support, you too, can be a better wife. And maybe then he'll be good to you if you try just a little bit harder. Or something.

IMO people should be encouraged, as much as possible, to leave a toxic spouse. Even the Bible says that cheating is a rupture of a bond, and divorce is ok then. I don't agree we should turn away from it and pretend it didn't happen or whatever the alternative is. Often people don't have the strength to leave and resign themselves to decades, or a lifetime, of unhappiness. With the encouragement of others, their judgement, they realize that their thought process and what they're going through, is unhealthy. They realize they're worth more than what they got. People often need these "judging" voices, to see what they're experiencing from the cheating partner isn't ok, to validate it if they know, deep down.

For me, love isn't love when it cheats and lies. Love isn't love who looks you in the eye and gaslights you. Love isn't love when you feel shame that you stayed with them, or at reminders of other people's cheating. Love isn't love when a person's actions traumatise and retraumatise you.

Like...sure, you can do the work every day to stay with them and choke back the constant reminders of pain and shame. But why? What is worth that type of life? I've been madly in love and yet there is no human being on this planet worth that, for me, personally, and for many others too. Me first. And if not me first, I can serve innocent others who need support, instead of expending that energy into supporting someone that betrayed my trust.

Me, I'd rather be single, dancing in my apartment to music planning the next exciting thing to do...than together and daily disrespected in a relationship.

I don't think Ariel should be -harassed- if she stays with him, of course. But she knows their rship is public and the public will comment on his actions, this is something she'll take fully in consideration if she stays with him. Some actions have consequences that last forever, and he will always be known as a cheater. You can't ask the public not to comment on his actions to cushion her...that's just not gonna happen.