Man Feels Guilty After Finding Out His Lover Is Married And Has Kid, Seeks Advice As He Wants Them To Run Away Together

"He was estranged from them and took it at face value"

He didn’t just fall for someone, he fell for the version of someone he thought he was dating. For a year, OP was building something romantic with a guy he met on OKCupid, and it felt real enough to start spiraling into guilt the second the truth came out.

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Here’s the messy part, the guy OP was seeing is married, with a 5-year-old daughter, and he kept that whole setup hidden. Meanwhile, OP has his own mental script going, pretending he’s the “good son” who can impress his parents with a clean, respectable life, only to realize he’s been involved with a man who’s already running two families at once.

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And once the comments started rolling in, OP’s “run away together” fantasy started looking less like escape and more like a way to dodge the damage.

The headline

The headlineReddit/InterestAnccy1884
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The OP's been dating a guy that he met via OKCupid

The OP's been dating a guy that he met via OKCupidReddit/InterestAnccy1884
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The emotional turmoil faced by the man in this story underscores the complexities of guilt within romantic relationships.

OP pretended to be the good son with a wife and kid to impress his parents

OP pretended to be the good son with a wife and kid to impress his parentsReddit/InterestAnccy1884

The OP met him online and he didn't know he was married

The OP met him online and he didn't know he was marriedReddit/InterestAnccy1884

OP says he met the guy on OKCupid and didn’t know he was married, but Redditors immediately clocked the pattern of deception like it was written in all caps.

The desire to run away together reflects a common escape response to emotional distress.

This can provide temporary relief but may not address the underlying issues at hand.

And the comments from other Redditors roll in...

And the comments from other Redditors roll in...Reddit/InterestAnccy1884

He's afraid to admit who he is

He's afraid to admit who he isReddit/InterestAnccy1884

That’s when things got complicated, because OP’s “we can just run away” plan collided with the fact the man has a wife and a five-year-old he’s already abandoning.

Redditor u/Sideshow79 seeks to understand what the OP truly wants

You're asking two totally different questions. But altogether, YTB. You know he's married and has a 5-year-old daughter. You know he's cheating. He was cheating while engaged, got married while cheating, and continues to cheat. You know he's willing to abandon his daughter. You want to continue the relationship. You're also trying to justify and portray him as a victim by blaming conservatives.

The OP will be wrong if he continues that relationship

The OP will be wrong if he continues that relationshipReddit/InterestAnccy1884

There's a word for people like that and it's homewrecker

There's a word for people like that and it's homewreckerReddit/InterestAnccy1884

Addressing Ethical Dilemmas in Relationships

Encountering ethical dilemmas can significantly impact relationship dynamics.

This echoes the flatmate argument where someone objected to an equal rent split after the group upgraded to a luxury apartment.

This person lied to the OP for a whole year

This person lied to the OP for a whole yearReddit/InterestAnccy1884

It's a terrible bet unless the OP has his own money

It's a terrible bet unless the OP has his own moneyReddit/InterestAnccy1884

Even worse, commenters pointed out he lied for a whole year and kept cheating, so OP wasn’t just dating a secret husband, he was dating someone who already knows how to sneak.

Furthermore, exploring attachment styles can provide insight into why individuals react the way they do in complex relational situations.

Identifying these patterns can pave the way for healthier relationships.

OP's guy is in the wrong for sneaking around

OP's guy is in the wrong for sneaking aroundReddit/InterestAnccy1884

The OP should contact the guy's wife

The OP should contact the guy's wifeReddit/InterestAnccy1884

Now OP is stuck between guilt and loyalty, while the thread keeps pushing the same brutal conclusion, this isn’t a misunderstanding, it’s homewrecking.</p>

Many Redditors were honest, stating that the guy has misled the OP. He had an affair with his wife, which indicates he has cheated on the OP too, just in case the OP thought the two of them were exclusive.

Some Redditors weren't sure if this is a gay man or a high school color guard because there are so many red flags. The OP was advised to find himself a man who will be honest with him and let go of this "sorry excuse for a man."

In this scenario, the interplay of guilt and complex relationship dynamics highlights the necessity for self-reflection and open communication. The man’s desire to escape with his lover, who is married and has a child, raises significant ethical questions about the implications of their actions. It is crucial for him to consider not only his own feelings but also the responsibilities that come with their choices. Before pursuing a path that could lead to further complications, he must engage in honest self-assessment and seek support to ensure that any decision made prioritizes the well-being of all involved. This situation serves as a reminder that healthy relationships are built on a foundation of transparency and ethical consideration, especially when children are at stake.

Promoting Healthy Decision-Making

Promoting healthy decision-making is essential in navigating relationship complexities.

Seeking guidance from a therapist can also be beneficial.

This can be particularly valuable when navigating complex emotional landscapes.

Self-reflection is a crucial component of personal growth and relationship health.

Encouraging self-reflection practices, such as journaling or mindfulness, can help individuals process their feelings and gain insights into their actions.

These practices can foster personal growth and clarity in decision-making.

He might be wondering if he’s the problem, but the bigger question is what kind of life you’re signing up for when the truth was hiding in plain sight.

Want another messy relationship rule debate, read about the partner who refused their misbehaving pet during a move-in.

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