The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Carolyn Hax: Husband admits to one-night stand, wants spouse to ‘let it go’

After giving his spouse HPV, husband told different stories before admitting infidelity — and now wants to drop the subject.

Advice by
Columnist
May 7, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. EDT
(Illustration by Nick Galifianakis for The Washington Post) (Illustration by Nick Galifianakis for The Washington Post)
3 min

Adapted from an online discussion.

Dear Carolyn: My spouse of 25 years recently admitted to an affair. This happened after I was suspicious for a while. I finally confronted him after being diagnosed with HPV.

He told various stories and has finally settled on saying he had a one-night stand with someone whose name he couldn’t remember. In the last year, he has admitted to other inappropriate incidents.