Hi ZTwilight. There could be a variety of things going on for AP so I can’t give a blanket statement on reason to accept a partial relationship. I can say that self esteem can be one reason. Other times, when things start, they don’t actually believe they will be in an affair situation. After continual contact they begin to form feelings that they did not anticipate. This is the “playing with fire”. After they realize they are in love many times they will “settle for what they can get” because the thought of not being with the person they love is not something they want to confront. Again, this is one of many Scenarios and I hope this is helpful some.

As to the second part, it is often a very large issue that the AP will often struggle with for a long time. Some are not able to get over this part and eventually end relationship, others can move past it after years of living with uncertainties and some learn to accept that it may happen. It is very difficult.