Wife Makes Husband Agree To An Open Marriage To Get His Permission To Reconnect With Her Ex

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.

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

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

Husband sharing story of wife making him agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex partner.

Text excerpt discussing conditions of an open marriage where the wife makes husband agree to reconnect with her ex.

Text excerpt showing a husband’s suspicion about his wife in an open marriage after she stayed out until 4 am.

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

Text describing a husband’s experience agreeing to an open marriage to reconnect with his wife’s ex, improving their relationship.

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

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

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

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

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

Text discussing a husband negotiating an open marriage agreement with his wife to reconnect with her ex.

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

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.

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

Text message revealing discovery of wife’s tracking and conflict creation in an open marriage situation involving an ex.

Couple discussing open marriage agreement where husband reluctantly consents to reconnect with wife's ex partner.

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The author shared more details in the comments

Readers agreed the situation was messy

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)

Text excerpt about a wife making husband agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex and its complications.

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

Text excerpt discussing a wife negotiating an open marriage agreement with her husband to reconnect with her ex.

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

Text excerpt about a wife making husband agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex from high school.

Text about a husband upset as wife makes him agree to an open marriage to reconnect with her ex.

Couple arguing intensely indoors, representing conflict about open marriage and reconnecting with an ex partner.

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

Text excerpt describing a husband agreeing to an open marriage to allow his wife to reconnect with her ex.

Text excerpt about a husband confronting his wife’s affair and the topic of an open marriage arrangement.

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

Text message expressing distrust and uncertainty about marriage counseling after lies in an open marriage arrangement.

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

Image credits: ThrowRARevolvingMar