HeyJude, What they present to the affair partner is a very charming person.
I can tell you that when my husband was exchanging correspondence with OW1, before and after their physical affair started, he was nothing but sweetness, sugar and wonderful with her. She got the very nice he, the man who wanted to be with her forever. She was the love he has been wainting for all his life. OW1 was stetting the tone of the “you’re wonderful my love, I’ve never meet anyone like you before”, coming up with all the dreams and plans and husband was going along.
Kikki, I think it is different from you boss pursuing you. You were not up to it. In MLC affairs we have to willing parts. In fact two very eager parts. No, I don’t think our husbands always had been modest before was a cover up. No way they were going to manage it for decades. With us they did not need to have their armour in place. We were not the fantasy person they have gone after.
AnneJ - I agree - they do present as vulnerable, sweet and loving if you are prepared to buy into it, in the beginning. Anyone in their right mind, can see that the MLCer is not in their right mind though. This obsession and infatuation, is not normal. These OW have to be incredibly dysfunctional and desperate and emotionally very immature to believe the fantasy. Yes agree - they buy into the fantasy.
You're right - there's no way they could pretend to be modest for that long, could they!
I had confirmation that all is not sweetness and light with the OW, about 18mths post BD. It was a year after my H moved out. He left his cellphone in our car. I snooped.
What I read was confirmation that he lies to the OW to keep her off his back, and that things were not rosy.
OW - Did you make it home okay? I am so so sorry for ranting at you. Please please believe me, I never ever want to do that to you again.
MLCer - I really just have to sort myself out
OW - I need to do the same thing - sorting ourselves out is the hardest thing that we will ever have to do .......I love you and we can work this out....
Then a few days later:
MLCer - I have been thinking about what you said. I am sorry I am always grumpy all the time. I need to do something about that.
Kikki has agree in principle to a formal separation and sorting out the business (this was news to me!)
OW - thank god! How do you feel?
MLCer - Like jumping in the harbour
OW - don't get cold!