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Dear Broken:

Let's get real...you betrayed your husband's trust for so long by lying about your side smash seshs and catchin' feelings! 💔🚩 Even now you seem super hung up on the ex, amirite? 👀 If playing the field is your jam, you gotta be honest with bae. 

This awk dinner is just a blip compared to the huge lies you've told your man. 😟 I know you wanna avoid confrontation, but actions have consequences. It's time to really reflect on the damage done here. 🧐 Maybe chat with a therapist to figure out if or how your marriage can bounce back from this betrayal. ❤️‍🩹

Your husband deserves the truth, hunty. Stop covering your tracks and start rebuilding what the cheating broke. That said, let's see what the main branches of ethical thought would advise:

**Applied Ethics** 

Being ghosted HURTS, I know bb! But Applied Ethics looks at doing what's right in each sitch. Was this side piece shady? Totally. But 2 wrongs don't make a right. Blowing up at dinner won't give you closure. And faking an emergency on your man is more dishonesty. You feel rejected but lashing out won't heal that. For now, mentally prepare for the party, breathe through the pain there, and keep distance from your ex. Later, when you're calm, you can address it maturely. 

*Applied ethics answer: Go to the dinner calmly. Don't confront your ex yet. Process feelings before acting.*

**Normative Ethics**

Normative ethics are about moral duties. Being ghosted was wrong of your ex. But your duty is to handle your emotions, not force a confrontation. Another duty - to your partner! Faking an illness disrespects your commitment. Attending the dinner, even if uncomfortable, shows respect. It upholds your duty as a trustworthy, mature partner. Don't let your ex's bad behavior destroy your integrity.

*Normative ethics answer: Keep your duty to your partner by attending without drama.* 

**Metaethics** 

Metaethics examines why we judge actions as right/wrong. Feeling hurt, you judge your ex as the "bad guy." But your affair was also ethically questionable! Take a step back. See how your emotions and bias shape your moral judgement of the same act. Is ghosting always wrong? Or only when you're the victim? Reflect before vilifying exes or justifying dishonesty.

*Metaethics answer: Check your moral bias before demonizing the ex or excusing lies.*

**Deontological Ethics** 

Deontology focuses on moral obligations. You and your ex owed respect and care to your partners through fidelity or honesty about opening the relationship ethically. You both failed those duties. Don't compound it by dodging the dinner through deception. You owe your partner basic truth now. Attend and behave graciously. Rebuild lost trust steadily through small acts of integrity.

*Deontological answer: Reaffirm your duty to your partner by attending the dinner honestly.*

**Teleological Ethics**   

Teleology looks at consequences. A screaming match with your ex at dinner could end friendships, out your affair and deeply hurt partners. The greater good is avoiding that harm. Go with dignity, mentally prepare to see your ex and forego confrontation. In time, when emotions cool, seek a calm discussion with your ex to get closure. Wait for the best outcome down the road.

*Teleological answer: Wait for emotions to settle before seeking closure to optimize the eventual outcome.*

**Verdict:** Approach this thoughtfully, not impulsively! All ethics perspectives say put your partner first now, process feelings separately, and wait to address the ex.