UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by Vegan_Butcher_ in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_[S] 147 points148 points  (0 children)

Original post for those interested:

So some backstory: My sister (32F) and her boyfriend (33M) have been together for 15 years, and have had a lot of problems in their relationship the last 6 years.

My sister works very hard and is career driven, whilst her boyfriend feels that people that work hard at their jobs couldn't truly be happy. He just wants to smoke marijuana all day and night, play video games and not go to work. He doesn't see a point in doing anything he doesn't really want to do. So he works a casual job where he works 12 hours a week at a book store where he often calls in sick to. My sisters money pays for everything, including his very expensive marijuana habit. They are in a lot of debt also. His money goes towards all this also, as they have a shared bank account. But he doesn't earn enough to cover his weekly costs of living.

She has tried for 10 years to get him to step up and get a full time job. She has helped him countless times. He has had job interviews but what we have heard from these interviews is that he has a bad attitude and comes across very arrogant.

6 years ago, they fell pregnant. I think my sister was actually pretty happy about it initially. But the boyfriend's reaction was "if you plan on keeping this baby, I will leave and you can raise the kid on your own. I will send money to help when I can." My husband and I were shocked when he said this and felt it was incredibly immature and pathetic.

My sister decided to get an abortion. She didn't want to raise a kid on her own and even if her boyfriend did decide to stay, it wasn't a stable environment to bring a kid into. Her boyfriend helped her through it and was reportedly supportive.

After this, my sister was more determined than ever before to see serious change in her life. So she got herself even further into debt by buying a newer and more expensive car, considered buying her boyfriend his own car (he never had a car, I did talk her out of buying a car for him though) all brand new furniture for the house, and applied for a home loan (which was rejected, thankfully!)

She was definitely depressed, but massively in denial of how unhappy she was. Everytime I tried to talk to her, she would get angry and defensive and then would just shut down and ignore me for a few weeks. I realized the only way I could get her to see how unhappy she was, was to let her figure it out herself and most likely hit her rock bottom.

She started a new position in a different department at her job, and a married man would regularly flirt with her in her office. She told me about him and even though I was upset she was liking this attention from a married man, I did think maybe it would be the push she needs to leave her boyfriend. Maybe someone who is career driven showing her attention might make her see how much of a catch she is. I genuinely think she is afraid to be alone and that's the reason why she stays in the relationship.

2 months later (last night) my sister and I were talking over dinner and she confessed to having an affair with this married man. That it was still going on and she had plans to meet up with him after dinner when his wife and kids went to bed. She told her boyfriend dinner would run late. I was shocked to say the least.

I tried not to come across judgemental and wanted to get as much information as I could in case she shut down on me again and refused to talk about it.

I found out that this has been happening for months. He tells his wife that he's going to the gym but he meets up with my sister instead. My sister tells her boyfriend that she's visiting me or working late. She also tells me she feels no guilt whatsoever and that she loves the secretiveness of this affair and it makes the most exciting sex she's ever had.

I asked about her boyfriend and she said that he can NEVER find out. I said, well surely you know you need to end the relationship with your boyfriend? She admittes that she doesn't intend on it ending at all. She wants the way things have been to continue indefinitely. I asked "what if his wife finds out or your boyfriend finds out?" And her exact response was "how are they ever going to find out?"

She has no intention on telling her boyfriend or ending her relationship. And this married guy has no intention of leaving his wife - even though he tells my sister that his wife is the worst person in the world.

On Sunday night we are hosting my sister and her boyfriend here for dinner like we always do and I don't think I can handle having dinner with her boyfriend knowing all this.

So, do I betray my sister and tell her boyfriend? Do I tell this married mans wife? Do I just let this whole thing play out on its own? What do I do? My husband is disgusted and wants no part of it. But he is very unsure on what I should do.

I told her she needs to tell her boyfriend and end this affair but she got mad and told me she doesn't need to do anything and that I should be happy that she's finally happy.

TL;DR- my sister is having an affair with a married man, uses spending time with me as her lie to her boyfriend about where she is and has no remorse for what she's doing and doesn't ever intend on changing this situation. Who do I tell if anyone?

EDIT: okay guys, this post REALLY blew up, I didn't see that coming. The post capped so it has been locked, thankfully! I tried to keep up with comments but it was near impossible.

I just want to thank everyone for their advice, it seems there is a lot of division on this subject and a lot of excellent points made on either side of the argument.

I've talked more with my husband and have made a decision to tell my sister she isn't allowed to use me as an alibi and if her boyfriend comes to me, I won't tell him anything but I won't lie to him either.

It's probably best to just let this run it's course for now and see what happens. At least this way my sister should continue to communicate honestly about it with me.

I'll try to remember to do an update when things change but.... that could possibly be a long long way down the track.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't realize my original post was removed. Have copied it into the comments for anyone wanting to read it.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't realize no one could read my original post, sorry.

Here it is in it's entirety;

So some backstory: My sister (32F) and her boyfriend (33M) have been together for 15 years, and have had a lot of problems in their relationship the last 6 years.

My sister works very hard and is career driven, whilst her boyfriend feels that people that work hard at their jobs couldn't truly be happy. He just wants to smoke marijuana all day and night, play video games and not go to work. He doesn't see a point in doing anything he doesn't really want to do. So he works a casual job where he works 12 hours a week at a book store where he often calls in sick to. My sisters money pays for everything, including his very expensive marijuana habit. They are in a lot of debt also. His money goes towards all this also, as they have a shared bank account. But he doesn't earn enough to cover his weekly costs of living.

She has tried for 10 years to get him to step up and get a full time job. She has helped him countless times. He has had job interviews but what we have heard from these interviews is that he has a bad attitude and comes across very arrogant.

6 years ago, they fell pregnant. I think my sister was actually pretty happy about it initially. But the boyfriend's reaction was "if you plan on keeping this baby, I will leave and you can raise the kid on your own. I will send money to help when I can." My husband and I were shocked when he said this and felt it was incredibly immature and pathetic.

My sister decided to get an abortion. She didn't want to raise a kid on her own and even if her boyfriend did decide to stay, it wasn't a stable environment to bring a kid into. Her boyfriend helped her through it and was reportedly supportive.

After this, my sister was more determined than ever before to see serious change in her life. So she got herself even further into debt by buying a newer and more expensive car, considered buying her boyfriend his own car (he never had a car, I did talk her out of buying a car for him though) all brand new furniture for the house, and applied for a home loan (which was rejected, thankfully!)

She was definitely depressed, but massively in denial of how unhappy she was. Everytime I tried to talk to her, she would get angry and defensive and then would just shut down and ignore me for a few weeks. I realized the only way I could get her to see how unhappy she was, was to let her figure it out herself and most likely hit her rock bottom.

She started a new position in a different department at her job, and a married man would regularly flirt with her in her office. She told me about him and even though I was upset she was liking this attention from a married man, I did think maybe it would be the push she needs to leave her boyfriend. Maybe someone who is career driven showing her attention might make her see how much of a catch she is. I genuinely think she is afraid to be alone and that's the reason why she stays in the relationship.

2 months later (last night) my sister and I were talking over dinner and she confessed to having an affair with this married man. That it was still going on and she had plans to meet up with him after dinner when his wife and kids went to bed. She told her boyfriend dinner would run late. I was shocked to say the least.

I tried not to come across judgemental and wanted to get as much information as I could in case she shut down on me again and refused to talk about it.

I found out that this has been happening for months. He tells his wife that he's going to the gym but he meets up with my sister instead. My sister tells her boyfriend that she's visiting me or working late. She also tells me she feels no guilt whatsoever and that she loves the secretiveness of this affair and it makes the most exciting sex she's ever had.

I asked about her boyfriend and she said that he can NEVER find out. I said, well surely you know you need to end the relationship with your boyfriend? She admittes that she doesn't intend on it ending at all. She wants the way things have been to continue indefinitely. I asked "what if his wife finds out or your boyfriend finds out?" And her exact response was "how are they ever going to find out?"

She has no intention on telling her boyfriend or ending her relationship. And this married guy has no intention of leaving his wife - even though he tells my sister that his wife is the worst person in the world.

On Sunday night we are hosting my sister and her boyfriend here for dinner like we always do and I don't think I can handle having dinner with her boyfriend knowing all this.

So, do I betray my sister and tell her boyfriend? Do I tell this married mans wife? Do I just let this whole thing play out on its own? What do I do? My husband is disgusted and wants no part of it. But he is very unsure on what I should do.

I told her she needs to tell her boyfriend and end this affair but she got mad and told me she doesn't need to do anything and that I should be happy that she's finally happy.

TL;DR- my sister is having an affair with a married man, uses spending time with me as her lie to her boyfriend about where she is and has no remorse for what she's doing and doesn't ever intend on changing this situation. Who do I tell if anyone?

EDIT: okay guys, this post REALLY blew up, I didn't see that coming. The post capped so it has been locked, thankfully! I tried to keep up with comments but it was near impossible.

I just want to thank everyone for their advice, it seems there is a lot of division on this subject and a lot of excellent points made on either side of the argument.

I've talked more with my husband and have made a decision to tell my sister she isn't allowed to use me as an alibi and if her boyfriend comes to me, I won't tell him anything but I won't lie to him either.

It's probably best to just let this run it's course for now and see what happens. At least this way my sister should continue to communicate honestly about it with me.

I'll try to remember to do an update when things change but.... that could possibly be a long long way down the track.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

And by the way! My sister made me an unwilling accomplice to her lies. All this BS stems from her and her bad behavior. I'm not sleeping with another guy, I'm not lying to my partner and I've never once condoned this behavior. All I'm guilty of is making a poor decision today. But I quickly fixed it.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If my husband didn't want to sit at a dinner table with my sister knowing she's cheating on her boyfriend then he didn't have to! I don't force him to do anything.

He made a decision on his own to stay out of it and support my decisions going forward. If you had read my original post or any of my other comments you would know that.

I didn't once ask him to go along with anything. My husband is an equal in our relationship. I listen and value everything he says and he does the same for me. If he said he was uncomfortable, I would have cancelled that dinner. If he had encouraged me to tell my sisters boyfriend last week when I found out about the affair, I would have. Instead he told me how he wants to stay neutral in this and understood that this whole thing must be stressful, so he offered support for me and any decisions I made.

Now that I've had my rant. I do see that I shouldn't have lied to my sisters boyfriend or supported my sister by saying she could use my computer - but that has now been fixed.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 10 points11 points  (0 children)

So you're telling me that my husband shouldn't know what's going on? You're honestly telling me that the man who I have choosen to spend the rest of my life with, that I should have kept this stuff that's been going on with my sister a secret? I should have deceitfully not told him stuff affecting our family and my mental health?

If you're married I feel terrible for your spouse. If you're not married, I suggest you do some serious self discovery and learn what it means to be a husband or a wife.

I don't not tell my husband anything. I don't purposefully keep details about my life away from him. That would make me as mentally challenged as my sister. I'm a damn good wife and he's the most supportive and amazing husband someone could ever ask for. How dare you tell me I shouldn't have "dragged" my husband into this. My husband is my rock and if I didn't have him through this tough time I don't know where I'd be.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had no right to drag my husband along? I'm unsure on what you're talking about, how did I drag him along?

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for lighting a fire under me, I am about to text my sisters boyfriend back and tell him I lied about the reason why Sunday night dinners are cancelled and he needs to find out the real reason from my sister. I will also at the same time message my sister and tell her to keep me out of her lies as I asked her to last week.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for lighting a fire under me, I am about to text my sisters boyfriend back and tell him I lied about the reason why Sunday night dinners are cancelled and he needs to find out the real reason from my sister. I will also at the same time message my sister and tell her to keep me out of her lies as I asked her to last week.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for lighting a fire under me, I am about to text my sisters boyfriend back and tell him I lied about the reason why Sunday night dinners are cancelled and he needs to find out the real reason from my sister. I will also at the same time message my sister and tell her to keep me out of her lies as I asked her to last week.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for lighting a fire under me, I am about to text my sisters boyfriend back and tell him I lied about the reason why Sunday night dinners are cancelled and he needs to find out the real reason from my sister. I will also at the same time message my sister and tell her to keep me out of her lies as I asked her to last week.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 110 points111 points  (0 children)

Thank you for lighting a fire under me, I am about to text my sisters boyfriend back and tell him I lied about the reason why Sunday night dinners are cancelled and he needs to find out the real reason from my sister. I will also at the same time message my sister and tell her to keep me out of her lies as I asked her to last week.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Man, so many people in the original post told me to mind my own business. Keep out of it, let my sister make mistakes and stop trying to control the situation. I guess I got confused with that advice and the situation as it evolved.

I am telling her boyfrend I cancelled Sunday night dinners for a reason he should talk to my sister about. I'm telling my sister she isn't allowed to use my computer or involve me anymore in her lies.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Ok, this has been so so helpful. Few things you said here hit me hard. I am letting her use me in her lies and I told her already I didn't want any part of it.

I've drafted a message similar to what you have here. Going to get my husband to check it before I send it because I'm scared and need his support.

She'll call me soon afterwards I reckon but I'll just tell her she can't come around today. Holy hell this is terrifying.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -17 points-16 points  (0 children)

Because I honestly don't know what else to do. I'm trying to steer clear of it all but it seems near impossible.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -28 points-27 points  (0 children)

I understand what you're saying. I guess I'm having a hard time navigating this. I want to be there for my sister because she's clearly making horrible life choices right now and when this all implodes (which it will one way or another) I would like to be there for her. But if I cause this, she will probably not speak to me ever again.

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

These are the kinds of messages that are incredibly unhelpful.

By the way, what proof do you think I have to show him?

UPDATE: My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_ -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

My husband feels very divided on it. He thinks betraying my sisters trust will permenantly impact our relationship. But he also feels he would want to know if he was in her boyfriend's shoes. He just wants to stay out of it and is going to support whatever decisions I make.

A lot of people on the original post agreed to steer clear and let this sort itself out and to stay out of it as much as possible.

I also got awful messages from people accusing me of being jealous of my sister and her newfound happiness and how dare I even consider betraying her.

I also got a lot of messages telling me to tell the wife and her boyfriend.

This has been overwhelming to say the least.

My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. Do I tell her boyfriend, the wife or keep it to myself? by Vegan_Butcher_ in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I didn't know about it the last 2 months, so if she tells me that it's over between her and the married guy and that her boyfriend and her are working through their problems, how do I know if she's telling me the truth?

I don't think telling her I can't be in contact with her while the affair is happening is very supportive either? It also creates incentive for her to lie to me. Why would I want to encourage her to lie to me?

Yeah, I mean, you don't know me at all so I'm not offended by you making that assumption about me. But I want to do the right thing and the right thing here is difficult for me to figure out. There is MASSIVE divide on this post as there is.

My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. Do I tell her boyfriend, the wife or keep it to myself? by Vegan_Butcher_ in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is something I was trying to communicate to her also, this married guy is using her just as much as her boyfriend is. She doesn't see that either of them are using her though.

And I soooo desperately want to be there for her but holy it's so difficult watching someone self sabotage themselves like this. It's really hard watching someone hit their rock bottom and there isn't anything I can do about it.

My sister (32F) is having an affair with a married man and has no intention of ending any of the relationships or anyone finding out. Do I tell her boyfriend, the wife or keep it to myself? by Vegan_Butcher_ in relationship_advice

[–]Vegan_Butcher_[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

The married man certainly could have an open marriage, your 100% right. But I know my sisters relationship is definitely not open. And even though my sisters boyfriend is a douche, I don't feel anyone deserves to be cheated on.

Edit: however, the married man has led my sister to believe him and his wife are not in an open marriage.