Do you think Gerald’s emotional affair is forgivable? Is Ellie justified in her anger and sense of betrayal? How would you react if you found your partner had been having a similar interaction with someone?

Do you think Gerald’s emotional affair is forgivable? Is Ellie justified in her anger and sense of betrayal? How would you react if you found your partner had been having a similar interaction with someone?

Ellie was justified to be hurt an angry. On the other side Gerald had lost his career and was lonely and a bit jealous of his wife's continuing career, although they needed it to make ends meet. I think he was a bit lost and wanted assurance that he was still worthy. He realized it was wrong and went no further than one meeting, with no sex. Perhaps he should have come forward with the information himself although that probably wouldn't have made it any easier for Ellie. She needed to rediscover who she really was and learn to put her needs first again. I'm glad they stayed together having both learned some lessons.

I do think that Gerald's emotional affair is forgivable. However, I can see why Ellie was hurt and angry about Gerald's betrayal. I think what hurt her the most is that Gerald was communicating negative statements about Ellie to the person he was flirting with. Their back-and-forth discussions about Ellie made her sound like a cold person. I would feel the same way if I experienced this type of transgression.

I’m really not sure. I would feel so betrayed. I would hope my partner would talk to me about his feelings before sharing them with someone else.

I think Ellie was completely justified in her anger. Not only had Gerald emotionally cheated on her, but he spoke badly about her at the same time. This both undercut her trust in his love and his fidelity. I think she was right to seek distance to address her own feelings and make clear the depth of the betrayal. I also think she was right, in the end, to forgive him since he had ended it himself without straying too far.

I think an emotional affair is just as unforgivable as a physical affair.

I do think Ellie was justified in being hurt and angry. I think there were a lot of things going on in their marriage that they were obviously not communicating about. I would be mad if my partner did something like that.

Elliewas justified in her anger. The emotional affair betrayed her on a deeper level than a physical affair could have as emotional depth drives a loving relationship. Robert gave her sound advice to follow, especially coming from a father-in-law on her side.

I felt that Ellie was justified in feeling angry and hurt. I think it's good that the affair was not physical, but the fact that Gerald talked negatively about Ellie is unacceptable. It is unfortunate that he could not or would not talk to Ellie.

Ellie is totally justified in feeling hurt and angry over the emotional affair especially once she saw how poorly he spoke of her. If he truly loved Ellie he shouldn't have been saying negative things about her. Makes me think he was saying those things to make himself feel better for even having this type of relationship with this old school mate

Ellie was justified her anger, and Gerald betrayed her by speaking badly of her to someone else and sneaking around to meet her. I thought the wallowing of Ellie and the miscommunications went a bit long. There were obviously many issues that needed to be discussed and harbored resentments that needed to be addressed and communicated, so they were both ignoring each others needs.

I understand how she must have felt when she learned her husband betrayed her. However I also understand how easily it could happen. And let's not forget he ended it way before she discovered the affair. If a couple is able to work through it then they can become stronger going through something like this. I wouldn't advise it however as a couples therapist I know it's possible.