Ottawa Citizen

When the trust is gone, it’s time to get going

- ELLIE TESHER Read Ellie Monday to Saturday. ellie@thestar.ca @ellieadvic­e

My sex life with my boyfriend of eight years became increasing­ly infrequent three years ago, then stopped for an entire year.

I’d still ask him for sex even though I hated the inevitable rejection. He’d say it wasn’t me, that he had low testostero­ne.

I periodical­ly stayed at his place for a week, until he told me he needed his space. I’d leave for several days until he asked me to return.

Twice, I found women’s shorts and underwear in his laundry. He said they were in a truck he’d recently bought.

I’m not naïve or a pushover; I just love him. So, I let it go because I feared the truth.

Finally, I looked through his phone. I found text messages to a woman asking her if she’d like to have some drinks, etc. I confronted him, and he threw me out for going through his phone.

Later, he swore he’d never met her and we decided to work things out. But no matter how hard I try, I don’t trust him anymore.

I found he’s on Internet dating sites talking to numerous women AND transvesti­tes. I learned that he’s a closet cross-dresser and I believe he’s bisexual.

I want to confront him, but it means admitting I’ve been going through his emails and dating site profiles.

Was I wrong to do this in order to find out he’s been lying to me for at least the last three years? Uncertain About Snooping

I know this is emotionall­y hard for you to accept, but you’ve been deceived for way too long.

How you found out no longer matters. He lied and cheated for years, and now turns the matter around to blame you.

His being a cross-dresser and/or bisexual are part of his identity, perhaps only discovered these last few years.

Had he told you, it might’ve been acceptable to you because you loved him.

But his pushing you away, lying about why, all the while cheating, cannot be accepted. He’s destroyed your trust and diminished your self-confidence.

Run, don’t walk. Get away from his influence on you. It’s not a healthy relationsh­ip and is no longer able to become one.

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