I think it depends on the idea of marriage. Like Rose said, we haven't always married out of love; in the past we have done it for social status or family goals. The modern day view of marriage however, is someone you love whom you can commit to living happily with and creating a family. That doesn't HAVE to be the case, if both parties are ok with a different arrangement, I don't see why it wouldn't work. BUT that is if both parties agree. If the husband believes he has signed up for "modern marriage" but the wife is offering "family goals" then I don't know how it could work out.

How long has the woman had feelings for the other man? Why did the relationship end the first time? How does the woman feel towards the husband? I ask the second question because often times if we see an old flame, or especially if we reconnect at a distance, we remember our old feelings. You remember the young love that used to exist, all of the great things about this person. You think of all the things that annoy you about your spouse (like the fact that he leaves the TV on when he goes out, he never refills the milk) and POOF, you find yourself falling for this perfected image of this person you used to love. But the problem is, because they aren't there with you every day, you are neglecting that person's annoying habits, you forget that he leaves the dishes on the table and he never calls when he's going to be late. Because these things aren't in your face like they are with the spouse. As you remember the feelings, they start to extend and you find yourself in love with this fantasy based on your ex.

I don't agree with staying for the children. If you have ever listened to a child who hears their parents fight every night, you know the devastation it causes. I know we are raised to this belief that in order to be happy, we need to have both biological parents in our lives. I know many single parent families where everyone is happy, I know many families where the step-parent is more of a parent than the bio-parent ever would be. To me, I see staying for the children as a fear based decision. No doubt, raising a child alone is difficult, the unknown world without your spouse is scary, but would you really be happy 20 years from now in this situation?