I just kept thinking over and over again, how in the fuck did I get here?
You may never really know the answer to that. Some WS are not really aware of their "whys". It took my FWS years to really understand hers.
From reading here, I know there are a lot demands I should make, but in all honesty, If I think I’m going to D, what’s the point of setting up all those hoops for her to jump through?
You don't have to do anything. You don't have to make demands. Your marriage is dead. You can't go back, she can't undo what she did, said, texted.
You can end it, build another, or let it languish on like a zombie (which my marriage was for years).
FWIW, so much bullshit gets said in affairs I would just chalk the texting up to that. Ego boosting, bragging, etc. affairs are gigantic lies. My FWS was no different, I am sure. We didn't have texting, or I'd probably have read the same stuff. I'm sure she certainly said it, but she couldn't remember what she said, only what she did...and believe me she did plenty.
she did not lie to him
Why would you think anything she said to him was true, if she was willing to lie to you so readily. My FWS lied to her AP, to me, to friends, to EVERYONE.
That IS the problem, the LYING. Affairs are founded on lies, exaggeration, drama.
The truth, hard to tell, she may not know it herself.
When my FWS finally got it, had true remorse, and spilled her guts in an effort to change.... I found out that I had never known the truth about her life, so many lies told to cover up things that happened.
I was living with a scared little adolescent girl who was struggling with her parents divorce and the fallout, her fathers alcoholism, and far more. This person was living under the mask of an intelligent educated professional with a loving husband and children. She was afraid all the time, and I do mean all the time, but covered it up using a variety of things. She pushed people away, but was desperate for attention.
So, focus on and take care of yourself, only she can change her, and focus on what you need right now.