I was married for 4 years. My husband was emotionally abusive. Under pressure by my parents and culture I felt trapped and unable to leave. He would get mad at the drop of a hat, scream at me. If I brought up a problem he would just give me the silent treatment until I got tired and let it go. He hated kissing me and we rarely had sex. I am a very sexual person and craved affection and physical attention. We tried couples therapy but it never went anywhere.

Anyway, I started cheating on my husband with a mutual friend. I hated myself but couldn't stop. It was wrong but I was in a terrible place and to have someone treat me with love was my only escape from being miserable. Eventually I got up the courage to leave my husband. I'm still dating the friend though.

The problem is that my friends and family all hate my boyfriend. I don't want to break up with him. I love him and he loves me. They think he is a terrible person for cheating with me, but if he's horrible then I am horrible too, and they still care about me. What is the difference? I was the one who cheated, not him. He is a great guy, always nice and respectful but no one will give him a chance. They don't want anything to do with him. He is hurt and saddened by this. I don't know what to do.
user
I cheated on my husband with a mutual friend, my
assistant
I was married for 4 years. My husband was emotionally abusive. Under pressure by my parents and culture I felt trapped and unable to leave. He would get mad at the drop of a hat, scream at me. If I brought up a problem he would just give me the silent treatment until I got tired and let it go. He hated kissing me and we rarely had sex. I am a very sexual person and craved affection and physical attention. We tried couples therapy but it never went anywhere.

Anyway, I started cheating on my husband with a mutual friend. I hated myself but couldn't stop. It was wrong but I was in a terrible place and to have someone treat me with love was my only escape from being miserable. Eventually I got up the courage to leave my husband. I'm still dating the friend though.

The problem is that my friends and family all hate my boyfriend. I don't want to break up with him. I love him and he loves me. They think he is a terrible person for cheating with me, but if he's horrible then I am horrible too, and they still care about me. What is the difference? I was the one who cheated, not him. He is a great guy, always nice and respectful but no one will give him a chance. They don't want anything to do with him. He is hurt and saddened by this. I don't know what to do.
user
My friends and family hate my boyfriend because they think
assistant