Should I Skip a Work Event Because My Ex Is Bringing Their New Partner?

A 28-year-old woman is stuck in the most awkward kind of workplace limbo, the kind where you have to smile professionally while your personal life is quietly detonating in the background. Her ex, 30-year-old man, has a new partner, 26-year-old woman, and the worst part is they both work in the same office, just in different departments.

The breakup was messy and emotional, with hurt feelings flying in every direction. Since then, they’ve managed to stay civil at work, but now the upcoming work event is making it feel impossible to keep the peace. Mutual friends have already spilled that the ex and the new partner are planning to attend together, and the OP is debating whether skipping is the only way to avoid a full-on emotional crash.

And now her friend is pushing her to “act normal,” which is exactly how drama multiplies at office events.

Original Post

I'm (28F) currently in an awkward situation at work. My ex (30M) recently got a new partner (26F) who happens to work in another department in our office.

I found out through mutual friends that they're serious and planning to attend our upcoming work event together. For background, my breakup with my ex was messy and emotional, with lots of hurt feelings on both sides.

We have been civil at work to maintain professionalism, but seeing them with their new partner is going to be tough. I've been considering skipping the event to avoid any unnecessary drama or emotional turmoil.

However, my friend (25F) thinks I should just go and act normal to show I'm okay with the situation. So AITA for wanting to skip the event to protect my own feelings?

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Also, this is similar to a bride drama where someone skipped a best friend’s wedding because she was marrying their ex.

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Her ex and the new partner showing up as a team at the upcoming work event is the detail that turns “civil” into “bracing for impact.”

Since the breakup was messy and emotional, seeing them together in the same event space feels less like closure and more like a rerun.

While the OP wants to skip to protect her feelings, her friend’s “just act okay” plan clashes hard with what her body already knows.

The real tension lands on whether professionalism means swallowing it, or whether skipping is the grown-up move when your ex brings their new partner.</p>

What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Nobody should have to walk into a work event and pretend their heart is on mute.

Wait until you hear how one person weighed skipping a friends party after his ex showed up with him.