Annie’s Mailbox: Wife gave fake name for ex-lover

Dear Annie: My wife and I were both married before. Last year, she confessed that she’d had a 35-year affair with a married doctor. At the time, she was in her early 20s, and he was in his early 40s. After 35 years, she decided he was too old for her and ended things.

She told me the doctor’s name, but when I did some checking, I discovered it was a fake name. I am not upset about her past. But I am terribly unhappy that she is lying to me. She met this doctor in his office, so she knows his name. How can she expect me to believe she didn’t know the identity of a guy with whom she had a 35-year affair? I no longer trust her and don’t like the dishonesty. Is there any way to trust her again, or do I move on? – Lost in El Paso

Dear Lost: She may be protecting this man’s identity because she doesn’t want you to confront him. Or you may know him. Or she could be lying about the affair. She obviously didn’t expect you to check the veracity of her story. Now you need to discuss it with her. Tell her what you discovered. Ask her why she lied. Quite frankly, it serves no purpose for you to know this man’s name, and you should say so (and mean it). She is less likely to hide information when she believes you will not judge her or go looking for old boyfriends. It might help to have this conversation with a counselor who can mediate.