Dear Dr. Laura, 

Both my husband and I are 50 years old. I married a widower with three girls and I was divorced with one girl. Three months ago, I decided I needed a break from my marriage of ten years. We had been arguing a lot about his adult daughter who was constantly lying over bringing drugs and alcohol into our home, the sad state of our marriage, my constant complaining about where we lived, and other parenting issues. I moved out of the house and got a 90 day lease in a nearby apartment. My husband objected, but I didn't care. Shortly after the adult daughter moved out, but I didn't return home since I already signed the lease on the new place. 

While at work I met a younger man and began seeing him, while still having occasional date nights with my husband. I was sleeping with both of them but my husband never knew...UNTIL, I decided to take a one week cruise vacation with the boyfriend. My girlfriend who was supposed to cover for me, confessed where I went and with whom. My husband was incredibly hurt and I destroyed our relationship and any trust he had in me. He packed up all my things, and I mean EVERYTHING I owned: clothes, shoes, makeup, jewelry, beauty products, photos, etc. It was as if I never lived in my home. When I returned, the one and only single item he left was your book "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" on the nightstand. I sat on the floor and cried like I never have before. Now he has filed for divorce and I'm trying desperately to convince him for another chance. I'm reading the book cover to cover and pray for forgiveness. At this point I don't know what will happen. I love my family and I never want to lose them. 

Claudia