Dear Coleen: Can I go to a party if the guy I had an affair with is there with his wife?

"All my guilt and shame is catching up with me"04:30, 04 Aug 2026Dear ColeenA few years ago I had a short affair with a married man who was a friend of a friend. It wasn’t my proudest moment but I was recently single and hurting, so I suppose I wasn’t that bothered about who else I hurt (his wife and kids).I regret it now and I’ve been in a good relationship for a while. My dilemma is I’ve been invited to a good friend’s 40th birthday party and I’ve just found out that he’s going to be there, along with his wife.I really don’t know how to handle this – do I say something or do I ignore them? I don’t want there to be a weird vibe for the sake of my friend who is hosting the party.I’ve thought about not going but I think my friend would be upset if I bailed on her. My boyfriend would be ther