I cheated on my husband of 8 years with someone he trusted deeply—his close friend. The affair lasted for 2 years, and though I ended it before he found out, the truth eventually came to light. The moment he confronted me with the evidence, I saw the devastation in his eyes. It was a look of betrayal, pain, and disbelief, and I knew I had broken something sacred between us.

Since that day, our lives have been consumed by the fallout of my actions. He’s angry, heartbroken, and struggling to understand how someone he loved and trusted—both me and his friend—could betray him like this. I’ve apologized countless times, but I know words alone can’t undo the damage I’ve caused. He feels like his entire reality has been shattered, questioning our past, our love, and whether he can ever trust me again.

I want to help him heal, but I know this isn’t something that can be fixed overnight. I’m committed to taking responsibility for my actions and showing him that I’m genuinely remorseful. I’ve considered suggesting therapy, both individual and couples counseling, as a way for us to work through the pain and rebuild our relationship. I know the road ahead will be difficult, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to forgive me or move forward.

Still, I want to do everything I can to prove that I value our marriage and that I’m willing to change. But how do I help him heal when I’m the one who caused the hurt? How do I show him that I’m not the same person who made those choices? Is it even possible to rebuild trust after such a profound betrayal? I love him and want to save our marriage, but I’m terrified it might already be too late.