“People like to judge cheaters a lot. I get it, it’s wrong, but until you find yourself in a completely controlling, manipulative, hurtful marriage, and you are desperate for emotional safety, you won’t understand.”

As a Viral Resident Writer at BuzzFeed, I cover politics, trending news, and pop culture through a lifestyle lens.

Note: Some responses were pulled from this related Reddit thread as well. 

"Anyways, it seems that both felt like they should break up with me first and that they have regret over the way they handled it but chose an easy way out by following their sex drive, 'love' for someone else, compatibility changes they were too immature to address through conversation, and wanted something different in life but felt like I was too nice of a person (perfect in 95% of the ways) and they were afraid I would convince them to work through it."—Blood_Sport_Love

"I'm now married to the man I met through my friend. He still makes my heart race and my stomach flip. He is literally obsessed with everything about me and isn't afraid to show it. We have a 4-month-old son. He is a great stepfather to my eldest; they're besties. My ex and I coparent so well that our son's teachers didn't realize we weren't together until we showed up to a school event with our actual partners.I cheated because I was ready to kill myself, and I wanted to be selfish for the first time in over a decade. Postpartum depression, anxiety, rage, and psychosis can affect a mother for years after the fact. Especially if there is no treatment or support system. I don't regret cheating, as I'm 100% certain I wouldn't be alive if I stayed with my ex. I just wish I hadn't needed to. I no longer believe the saying 'once a cheater, always a cheater' after my experience. I'll never cheat on the man I call my husband. I still can't believe he's mine, and I'm grateful every day for him."—Lazy_Assistance6865