Thanks for starting this topic Dorothy.
I am writing this for myself firstly, but also for both newbies and oldies who may, like me, feel at times that how they feel is in some way "wrong". I stopped trying to feel the "right" way years ago.
I discovered SI 13 years ago and still lurk occasionally. I found incredible solace in the LTA thread and for that I am so very grateful.
I would like to say that the rage has abated. After so much time. Sadly, it has not.
To answer simply, my desire to hurt them (and my FWH) is 10/10.
I had a heart attack after Dday, I did EMDR and worked so hard on myself. I tried to rebuild a relationship with my WH. I tried to forgive his APs. Didn't work.
He's a liar and a rugsweeper. Sometimes, I think I hate him. I hate the APs (who knew everything about us and our children). I always will. I hope the bitches burn in hell.
I have stayed for my own reasons. We generally live together amicably.
As for hurting APs, I have always yearned to do something to make them hurt as much as I did - and still do. Not physically - emotionally!!! Physical hurt is too kind. Emotional pain is so much worse. I am pleased to say they have suffered and I didn't have to do much.
I should be ashamed to say this - but I'm not. While OW3 (or 4?) was screwing my WH, her 30 yr old son was in a crisis. She was busy with my WH and obviously didn't notice. He took his own life a few months after dday. Am I rejoicing? No, of course not. Do I feel any sympathy for her. Definitely not. I hope she is in agony.
A week before Dday I sat with my mother in the hospital while she was dying. At this time, I had no idea my husband had been cheating for 25+ years. I called him and asked him to come and be with me. He made a weak excuse about why he couldn't come. He was actually with her. Later, I found out that he laughed with OW3/4 that I wanted him with me while my "motheerrrr was dying". They actually laughed about it!! Dday was 2 days after my mother's funeral. (I just read this before posting and thought this sounds like B..sh..t. How could someone do that? He did. He really did!!!)
OW3/4?'s mother died about 8 months ago. (Yes, after 13 years I still stalk her on FB). She posts pictures of her and her mother almost daily on FB and laments her passing. I rejoice knowing she is in pain. I also phoned her after DDay and told her about another OW he was screwing at the same time as her and that I had an STD. I didn't, but she was horrified (She actually knew this OW from their workplace!). I LOVED thinking about her embarrassment getting tested for an STD. I LOVED thinking about her pain from the betrayal of knowing he was screwing someone else.
OW2 (or 3?) who f..ing knows, lost her job. In a rare moment of honesty, WH told me she had psychological problems. Bastard clearly took advantage of her for 8 or 9 years. I often wonder - unemotionally - if she has topped herself. I don't care much. When I called her - to confront her and tell her about his other OW - she was quite drunk. I pretended to sympathise about her betrayal and the skank tried to tell me about what kind of panties he liked!!! I also told her about the STD and she cried!
I never used to be this person. Discovering he was cheating for most of our marriage changed me. It is what it is. I am who I am now. Now I'm a vindictive bitch. I don't care.
I'm writing to support anyone who feels that the way they feel is somehow wrong. Believe it or not, I used to be a nice, kind person. I was also trusting and probably a little naive. (It NEVER occurred to me he might be cheating). How you feel is a product of your experience. Don't feel guilty for how you feel. It is not your fault. You are a victim. Just try to take care of yourself. If hating or hurting them helps you - go for it! (Just keep it legal for your own sake).
Hugs