Hey again friend,
Here's what I did. I watched. I found out a huge chunk of my marriage was a lie one day about two year ago. I still loved her. I had been in love with her for more than a decade. We had kids. When I found out I completely fell apart. I had suspected things over the years, but never had any logical reason to suspect it. She was damn good at subterfuge.
I had a plan cooked up to win her back. It fell apart six months later when she had continued contact with the last AP and then refused to take a polygraph. I debated for a little longer just keeping the marriage as a business arrangement for children, but ultimately I just couldn't do it. Call me weak, or someone that gave up, but realistically I didn't. She did, and forced me into a decision.
I watched her actions, that's all I had to go on. Her words meant nothing. I threatened divorce and she ran back to her AP. I had an answer. After the divorce, she dumped her AP and found a new love in a matter of months. In a sick way, I had an answer. She did not love me. And it felt good to know. She just did not love me. What she wanted was the safety of our family. In a way, I wanted that as well, but I just couldn't stay with someone I did not trust. It was slowly killing me.
Call it fate, but I was divorced, to the day, one year after I found out. Has it sucked at points? God yes. I've had panic attacks where I pass out... But those are gone. Do I still have flashbacks and some forms of PTSD? Yup.
But I also have some great things. I got a new job that pays more. I got in shape. And I started to respect myself more. I was kinder to myself.
You're looking for that enduring love, that indestructible love, the passion but also the security and comfort of love. You're worried that what you have with your WW is transactional. Like if a better thing comes along, and she's pissed off, that she will bolt. And you want some sort of test that if you make this investment in her again that she won't hurt you. You're looking for an answer, or an excuse, to know what the right thing to do is in this situation to where it hurts less.
The easy answer to this is that there is no answer to the pain. Divorce comes with its own pain. Staying together comes with its own pain. There's no really good road that won't hurt walking down it.
If I had anything to say it would be to give it time, distance and watch how she responds. But, in doing so, you have to protect your financial interests. You don't want to have to rebuild more than you have to. So, no matter what, I would split finances and protect your business, be that in a divorce or a separation agreement with a predetermined property distribution. Divorce decrees are the best way to do that, but there may be other options.
The best determination of what love is is to see what happens when all of the safety is stripped away and two people are walking on their own. I wanted someone to want me for me, not what I provide or for some alternative reason. Real love... It's what we want.
Your WW was getting her fun and excitement with the other guy but unwilling to give up what you provided too. Double dipping, so to say. What you provided is valuable to her to the point where she doesn't want to walk away, but what you provide isn't YOU. You provided respectability, financial security, a strong man to protect. But she didn't value you for the qualities you value in yourself. The only way to know for sure is to separate those two things out. You can still be married and work on a relationship doing that and protecting your interests.
Also, another thing, two years is a long time. It typically takes a relationship a half life to die. Some can walk away quickly, but others cannot. Would you be able to walk away from infatuation that quickly? Probably not. So don't expect much from her now. It's not possible.
What is possible, from this day and time, you can start being you again. Take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself. Find a way to smile that does not involve something in this situation.
Quick divorce works for some and not for others. Reconcilation works for some and not for others. You should take every measure to protect yourself now that you can. You should invest in YOU for YOU. The pain of those does not go away for a long time. If you know in your heart divorce is right, then go for it. But, as someone that did it, there's still a lot of pain even now. If reconcilation is a possibility do not be ashamed of it. There's no harm in trying it so long as you protect yourself financially and professionally. Even if you don't, there's no shame in whatever your decision is. You have to see that what matters here is you. There's no real marriage to invest in anymore. There's just tomorrow. And it would be a shame if tomorrow you didn't smile about something. A sad day is a wasted day.
You are doing well with protecting yourself. I know you still love her. I did too. Ultimately, it's time that will show what's true.
If marriage and fidelity become important to her, even if you divorce she will be there waiting for you. If she moves on then she really didn't care anyway and she was just there for safety.
Communicate what you want and what you are doing with her. Be kind to her. She is hurting too, but be firm in what you are doing and let her know why. If you say you want a divorce and to try again later, then see what happens afterward once she's free. That might tell you all you need to know. Or keep going and thinking. No judgement, no shame, just encouragement to find your own happiness.