Redditor Tells Best Friend That He Caused His Divorce By Forcing Wife Into An Open Marriage And Gets Cut Off
"I told him he now has what he wanted: the freedom to sleep around."
A 28-year-old woman tried to keep the peace in her friend group, until the “peace” turned into a full-blown relationship disaster. Her best friend, a guy who thought he could steer his marriage wherever he wanted, pushed his wife into an open marriage against her wishes.
And it gets messy fast, because the wife did not just quietly accept it. She ended up falling for someone else, then filed for divorce, leaving everyone to pick sides. The OP, who had seen it coming, finally told her friend the truth: this blew up because he forced the situation, not because his marriage “needed spice.”
Now the friendship is broken, and the guy who insisted on the open setup is shocked he lost both his marriage and his people.
OP asks:
RedditThe OP explained that her honesty led to an argument:
RedditHer friend forced his wife to be in an open relationship:
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That’s when the OP’s honesty about what her friend did sparked the argument, because he wasn’t expecting Gwen to call out the pressure for what it was.
The recent Reddit saga surrounding a friendship fractured by a forced open marriage underscores the significant consequences of relationship decisions. When one partner is pressured into such an arrangement, it can foster deep resentment and feelings of betrayal, as seen in the experiences shared by the Redditor. The fallout from this betrayal not only impacts the marriage but also reverberates through friendships, as evidenced by the Reddit user's best friend being cut off. This scenario illustrates the vital importance of autonomy and mutual agreement in maintaining healthy relationships. Without these elements, satisfaction and stability can quickly deteriorate, leading to the painful consequences that unfolded in this case.
The OP helped his wife accept the imposed circumstances:
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The friend's wife ended up in love with someone else and filed for divorce:
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The OP told her friend it was his fault, and he got mad at her:
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Their other friends told the OP that her actions were wrong:
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A Redditor said it was his fault
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It is his problem
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Once his wife fell for someone else and filed for divorce, the “open relationship” plan stopped being a concept and became a wrecking ball, right in front of everyone.
This is similar to the Redditor whose dating advice to a friend’s crush triggered a breakup.
The OP told her friend it was his fault, and he immediately got mad at her, like she was the one who forced Gwen into anything.
Maintaining autonomy is crucial in any healthy relationship.
Encouraging open communication about wants and needs can help ensure that both partners feel respected and valued in the relationship.
The OP was right to encourage Gwen to move on
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The OP warned him, but he didn't listen
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The OP added:
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Even the other friends weighed in against the OP, until it was obvious the real problem was that he provoked his divorce by ignoring his wife’s wishes.
Moreover, understanding the psychological concept of coercive control can provide insights into these dynamics.
He disrespected Gwen and her wishes
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Redditors told the OP that she was not wrong for telling her friend the truth. She warned him that it could destroy his marriage when he started insisting on an open relationship.
Now, her friend is facing the consequences of his choices and actions. He should have listened to the OP and his wife.
The friend literally provoked his divorce by forcing his wife into something she didn't want. Redditors also said that helping Gwen overcome that difficult period was the right thing to do.
To navigate conflicts effectively, it's essential to engage in constructive dialogue.
Creating an environment where both partners feel heard can significantly enhance relationship satisfaction and reduce conflict.
The situation presented in the Reddit story underscores the critical importance of mutual consent and respect in relationships.
He’s probably learning the hard way that you can’t force an open marriage and then act surprised when the whole thing closes for good.
Want more betrayal fallout, read about the OP who didn’t tell her friend her ex was dating them.