Child forced him to admit to affair he had years ago

MY husband of 35 years has reluctantly confessed to having an affair 32 years ago and fathering a child.

Dear Coleen

MY husband of 35 years has reluctantly confessed to having an affair 32 years ago and fathering a child. He said it lasted less than a year and it was his decision to end it. He claims he didn’t know the child was his at the time – which I don’t believe – and I find it sad he didn’t take on the responsibility.

The affair began when our first-born was four weeks old and the woman involved is a distant family member on his side. Some of his relatives knew about it, which is humiliating.

He only came clean after the child contacted him, and he claims there were threats to reveal the affair, as well as talk of financial gain.

I feel the past 32 years have been a lie, but I’m trying not to let the betrayal ruin every memory. Inevitably, our lives will never be the same again.

Our children don’t want to see their dad, but I hope in time they can rebuild their relationships.