Woman opens up about affair with best friend's partner

A Sydney woman has opened up about how she had an affair with her best friend's partner, claiming it went on for 12 years before the pair were eventually caught in the act.

In an interview on SBS Insight Friends Forever?, Diana explained she met her friend at the age of five and the pair were 'like sisters'.

The 47-year-old said the affair happened in their 20s, after her friend and her partner had been dating for three years.

"She would go overseas quite a few times to visit her family over there and she would stay between three to six months at a time and during that time she'd ask me, oh, just keep an eye on her boyfriend," Diana told the program.

"One time we went to the movies and we came back and we just mucked around…. all of a sudden he made a move on me and I accepted it… but at the same time we were both surprised that we crossed that line and that we actually, you know, kissed and made out.

"At that time we were just saying this won't happen again, it's just a one off…. over time… it just kept happening."

RELATED:

• Woman reveals sneaky way boyfriend hid his 'cheating' on TikTok

• Woman's 'savage' plan to expose cheater goes viral on TikTok

• Woman discovers husband's dating profile and 'cheating stash'

Diana said the cheating went on for 12 years before, she decided to let them get caught.

"I didn't know how to end the friendship and I just decided that night, he made move on me again and I decided that… I'd make our dalliance known to her. That she was wasn't too far and so she saw us, she heard us and she caught us making out," she explained.

Diana said her friend was heartbroken when she found out, but she also 'despised' herself for what she had been doing.

"I did try to contact her after the event," she added.

"She quickly just told me you're dead to me so I wasn't surprised by that reaction and what she said to me but it did break my heart and it just tore me apart even more and it just brought on more self disgust and self shame and, um, and just guilt for doing what I had done."

Looking back on the situation now, Diana admits it had a lot to do with her own self-confidence struggles and anxiety and she has now learned to accept herself.

"It's a work in progress but yes, I do accept myself… I accept my faults, I accept, you know, my bad poor decisions but that's due to I understand now insecurity and lack of confidence. And I know to value and respect myself more."

Mental health support for yourself or a loved one can be found by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Online support is available via Beyond Blue.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.