(The following is a contributed article obtained through an interview.)

Some events in life are so strange you struggle to believe them. I’ve found this to be the case on a regular basis. I find myself asking, “What were they thinking?” It brings to mind “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”, an American franchise founded by Robert Ripley. Ripley’s franchise deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers and viewers might question the claims.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to interview a woman, we’ll call her “Barbie”, who had been publicly caught in her affair. Upon hearing the news, her husband decided he wanted a divorce. She didn’t care but embraced the opportunity to pursue marriage with her married affair partner. For several weeks they lived a life of unfettered infidelity— no hidden meetups or private sleepovers required. They were free from the burden of hiding their infidelity from their spouses, their children, their families, and their friends.

Then, as is often the case, reality came crashing in on them. Within several weeks, Barbie found out that her affair partner had gotten cold feet and backed out of his divorce, and went back to his wife. Barbie was left alone standing in the mess her infidelity had caused her husband, children, family, and friends. Her spouse, children, parents, and siblings were still in shock over her affair and how quickly Barbie had descended into a life of secrets, betrayal, and infidelity. At that point, she decided to go back to her husband to beg him to take her back. While he considered her plight and whether he could ever trust her again, she told him she needed a “road trip” vacation with her sister to “rediscover herself.”

Barbie and her sister hit the road. What was their “self-discovery” road trip for? Well, that is where it gets really interesting. Maybe even as interesting as “Ripley’s Believe it Or Not”. Barbie and her sister talked about their affairs. Barbie shared with her sister all of her “chats” and “texts” with her former lover and affair partner. Barbie’s sister had worked with Barbie’s affair partner and she was interested in getting all the “dirt” of her sister’s affair. They bonded as sisters over their shared stories of their affairs and enjoyed several days on the road together talking about the joys of infidelity. Each sharing one story after another.

When Barbie returned from her road trip with her sister, she had a plan. She would meet up with her former affair partner and win him back. She was willing to do anything to get him back. Anything. She had an ally in her sister and her sister was willing to provide Barbie with access to her home for affair activities and overnights with her former lover. However, Barbie had a “Plan B” too. She would move forward with the appearance of working things out with her husband should her efforts fail to win back her affair partner.

Interestingly enough, Barbie’s former affair partner saw himself benefiting from her plan. He could still have sex with Barbie — and his wife — and see where he landed. Either way, he felt it was a win-win situation. Barbie was the mastermind to be sure but her lover could make her plan work for him too.

What neither Barbie nor her lover could have foreseen is Barbie’s husband had hired a professional private investigator to see if she could be trusted. Meanwhile, Barbie and her lover resumed their lust and infidelity. Barbie’s sister played hostess to their infidelity events and sleepovers as good sisters and aunts do.

Unfortunately, within a month their ruse was up. Barbie and her lover were both caught in their infidelity. Her lover’s wife was informed of his continued infidelity and betrayal. Barbie’s brilliant plan had accomplished what all brilliant adultery plans do.

As is the case for all affairs and tales of infidelity, everything turned out with a happy ending for all involved. The typical lengthy and costly divorces followed. Both families sent their children to therapy. Their children ended up with bonus parents and split time with their parents. Barbie and her lover continued their lives of lies, cheating, deceit, and blaming their spouses for their affair. This is the happy ending Barbie and her adulterous lover had conjured up for everyone with a beautiful ending for all! And they all lived happily ever after the affair!

Recovering From Infidelity

If you have experienced infidelity-induced trauma caused by the emotional and sexual betrayal of your spouse, there is hope! If you are a child affected by parental infidelity, there is hope! If you are a spouse who has betrayed your marriage’s trust, love, and fidelity, there is hope! We recommend that you seek support through professional counseling and therapy and groups dedicated to supporting you through this traumatic journey. You are not alone and recovery and healing are possible!

Share Your Story

The CHADIE Foundation shares personal stories of spouses and children impacted by infidelity and affairs. If you have a story you want to share and have published, please use the contact information below to share your story with The CHADIE Foundation. Our mission is to help educate everyone about the damage infidelity, affairs, and adultery cause families and how to minimize the impact.

About CHADIE Foundation

The CHADIE Foundation (Children are Harmed by Adultery, Divorce, Infidelity, and related Emotional trauma), helps spouses, partners, and children who adultery, affairs, and infidelity have negatively impacted. To learn more about CHADIE and how you can help, please email us at support@chadie.org or visit us at CHADIE.org.