I'm afraid of confrontation. This fear shattered my relationship with my close friend after I slept with her ex-boyfriend. I did not tell her for months, thinking that I was protecting her from the bitter truth.

When I told him, he said that the fact that I had hidden it hurt him more than my own actions.

A year has passed and I have not spoken to her ex, who was also my friend. The only way I could get through this situation was to just keep it in my head and move on. However, this also affected my current relationship, as my behavior reflected something. I know I have to face my responsibilities first with myself and then with others. I hate that I have to reflect this on the connection I have now, which is the best relationship I?ve had.

I am afraid of confrontation. I live in fear that my friend will want another confrontation with me, to be finally calm. I am horrified by the idea that I may have it in front of me, or that I need to send messages about it. On the other hand, I am afraid that I will talk to him so much about myself, or I will not listen to him enough, and this will disappoint him even more.

Adapted from The Guardian