Young Woman Doesn't Know How To Fight Off Boyfriend's Persistent 'Work Wife'

"This would still be going if I didn’t catch him."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• November 17, 2023

Relationships can get complicated when someone close to you starts getting too friendly with a coworker. This story is about a 24-year-old woman dealing with her boyfriend’s close relationship with a woman at his work.

OP and her boyfriend have been together for almost five years, but they had a short break last year. During that break, her boyfriend started calling a woman at work his “work wife.”

This seemed like a bit of fun at first, but things got more serious, and they kept it up even after the couple got back together. OP found out about this “work wife” by accident.

She saw a receipt for Valentine's chocolates that she never got, and when she asked her boyfriend about it, he first tried to lie. Eventually, he admitted he gave them to his coworker.

This made the girlfriend upset, especially because he didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. OP felt betrayed and didn’t know if she could trust him anymore.

She updated her story later, saying that after she talked to him, her boyfriend told his work wife they had to stop. The coworker brushed it off as a joke, but the boyfriend said it was disrespectful to his girlfriend.

Even though he did the right thing in the end, OP is still unsure. She’s glad he listened to her, but she can’t help feeling that he only did it because he got caught.

Now she’s left wondering whether she can believe him and what this means for their future.

OP has been in a 5-year relationship, briefly broke up last October, and discovered that her boyfriend has a "work wife" at his job with whom he got flirty when they were separated.

On Valentine's Day, OP finds out that her boyfriend hasn't stopped flirting with his co-wife

The OP is feeling unsure about her boyfriend's loyalty after their brief breakup and his flirtatious interactions with a coworker.

Their behavior is crossing boundaries and could lead to an affair.

OP needs to recognize her self-worth and what she deserves.

OP's boyfriend isn't just having a work-wife relationship; it appears he's involved in an emotional affair.

It might be best for OP to end things and find someone who will respect her more.

OP needs to break up with her boyfriend who is already in a relationship.

This isn't a work spouse; it's an affair.

His actions are concerning.

The concept of a work spouse is strictly platonic, but OP's boyfriend and her were clearly crossing boundaries and more than just flirting

A "work wife" is typically a female coworker who is a close friend at work, not a romantic partner.

The situation OP is facing in her relationship is undeniably challenging. Discovering that her boyfriend has a "work wife" and their flirtatious interactions are undoubtedly hurtful and concerning.

While it's a positive sign that he has acknowledged the wrongfulness of his actions and taken steps to address the issue, there are valid reasons to be skeptical about whether he would have done so without getting caught. OP needs to trust her instincts and make a decision that aligns with her long-term happiness and emotional health.

Damjan