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Wife Makes Husband Agree To An Open Marriage To Get His Permission To Reconnect With Her Ex
Man and woman sitting apart on couch looking upset, illustrating open marriage and reconnecting with ex issues.

Man Agrees To Open Marriage For Wife, Then Finds Out It Was So She Could See Her High School Ex

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Every marriage has its ups and downs, but some rough patches hit like a full-on rollercoaster and leave people genuinely rattled. This Redditor learned that the hard way when his wife gave him an ultimatum: open the marriage or get a divorce. Not wanting to lose her, he agreed—reluctantly at first.

But once he started settling into the arrangement and even met someone new, his wife suddenly couldn’t handle it and demanded they close the relationship again. That sparked a whole new conflict, and it didn’t stop there. Before long, it became clear it was only the tip of the iceberg, with much more going on underneath the surface. Read the full story below.

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    The woman gave her husband an ultimatum: open their marriage, or it’s over

    Man in a blue shirt sitting stressed with hands clasped, representing husband agreeing to an open marriage situation.

    Image credits: Prostock-studio (Not the actual photo)

    He went along with it to keep the peace, but once he met someone new, she insisted they shut it down

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    Text describing a wife making her husband agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex.

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    Middle-aged couple sitting apart on couch, husband looking thoughtful while wife appears upset after open marriage discussion.

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    Text excerpt discussing a wife making husband agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex.

    Text excerpt discussing a wife making husband agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex.

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    Text discussing a wife making husband agree to an open marriage before deciding to close it and reconnect with him.

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    Text excerpt showing a wife confronting her husband about cheating, linked to open marriage permission and reconnecting with an ex.

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    Text excerpt discussing a husband agreeing to an open marriage to preserve the relationship and reconnect with an ex.

    Text message conversation showing a husband resisting open marriage after wife demands permission to reconnect with her ex.

    Husband questioning agreement to open marriage while struggling with feelings about reconnecting with ex and marriage limits.

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    Text update about a wife discussing an open marriage and reconnecting with her ex while seeking husband's permission.

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    The author shared more details in the comments

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    Reddit users discussing the ethics and humor of an open marriage where a wife reconnects with her ex.

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    Discussion about marriage counseling after opening and closing an open marriage under duress to reconnect with an ex.

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    Readers agreed the situation was messy

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    The author later came back with an update that brought new details to light

    Couple discussing open marriage agreement with a counselor in a modern room, expressing concern and contemplation.

    Image credits: freepik (Not the actual photo)

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    Text from a therapy session describing feelings about going outside the marriage and agreeing to an open marriage arrangement.

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    Text expressing feeling like a failure for not saving marriage and feeling sick about filing for divorce and calling an attorney.

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    Readers responded with advice and words of support

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    Commenter discusses open marriage agreement and counseling advice amid marital conflict and potential divorce risks.

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    Poll Question

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    Thanks! Check out the results:

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    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past six years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

    Read less »
    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Oleksandra Kyryliuk

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Oleksandra is an experienced copywriter from Ukraine with a master’s degree in International Communication. Having covered everything from education, finance, and marketing to art, pop culture, and memes, she now brings her storytelling skills to Bored Panda. For the past six years, she’s been living and working in Vilnius, Lithuania.

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    Read less »

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    What do you think ?
    Trillian
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What exactly is a marriage? Aside from s****l exclusivity, which can be agreed upon, but they seem to be bartering about everything in a very transactional way. Sounds more like a job than a partnership. Also, SAHM to a 12 and 14 year old? Too lazy to work and not willing to give up her meal ticket.

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The comment spam is cus I was trying to write something, and it instantly gets suppressed. I have no idea what is even getting automatically flagged and suppressed... If the NKVD were still around, ohh how proud they would be of BP and the way they do things...

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dude got trapped by a narcissist, the fact she lied to her daughters confirms that sickening conclusion.

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Load More Replies...
    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    The_Nicest_Misanthrope
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry dude, but your wife is a grade A cuuuuuuuuunt

    Mark Stewart
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that makes a change that it's the wife wanting to open things up instead of the husband, ultimately ended the same way though it seems with the one that wanted to open up being bitter their partner had someone else and they didn't.

    Trillian
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What exactly is a marriage? Aside from s****l exclusivity, which can be agreed upon, but they seem to be bartering about everything in a very transactional way. Sounds more like a job than a partnership. Also, SAHM to a 12 and 14 year old? Too lazy to work and not willing to give up her meal ticket.

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The comment spam is cus I was trying to write something, and it instantly gets suppressed. I have no idea what is even getting automatically flagged and suppressed... If the NKVD were still around, ohh how proud they would be of BP and the way they do things...

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dude got trapped by a narcissist, the fact she lied to her daughters confirms that sickening conclusion.

    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Load More Replies...
    Ben Aziza
    Community Member
    6 hours ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    The_Nicest_Misanthrope
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry dude, but your wife is a grade A cuuuuuuuuunt

    Mark Stewart
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that makes a change that it's the wife wanting to open things up instead of the husband, ultimately ended the same way though it seems with the one that wanted to open up being bitter their partner had someone else and they didn't.

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