A man grapples with maintaining ties to his ex and her kids after a DNA test reveals he is not the father

He’s also thinking about how to explain this situation to his future partner. He loves his ex and her kids, but it seems like they want to move on without him. He just wants to do the right thing.
In response, the advice is to respect his ex’s boundaries. It’s important to acknowledge the distance and ask her what kind of contact she wants. It’s tough to let go, especially after forming those connections with the kids.
The situation is painful, and it’s okay to grieve those relationships. It’s also worth considering that his ex might have known he wasn’t the father all along. Sometimes, people come into our lives for a season, and it’s essential to process those feelings before trying to reconnect.
In another letter, someone who’s been sober for over three years reflects on losing friends during a rough patch. Now that he’s doing well, some of those friends want to reconnect, but he’s unsure about their intentions. He’s accepted the consequences of his past actions and doesn’t feel the need to explain himself.
The advice here is that if reconnecting could jeopardize his sobriety, it’s okay to keep his distance. He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation beyond prioritizing his recovery. It’s also important to address any unresolved feelings about the past and consider whether he truly accepts how things ended with those friends.