u/Fun-Butterscotch6796

Has anyone ever received anything for the AT&T data breach class action? I feel like it has been a while and I haven't seen any updates. Just wondering what was going on with it.

I'm posting on behalf of a family member (30M) because he's having a hard time seeing the situation clearly.

He's been married for about 12 years. They have several children together (4+). She is (27F). Earlier this year, his wife got involved with another man. Now, I am editing to add that this is not the FIRST time this has occured in their relationship. At first, said family member and her had arranged a deal where this was only supposed to be transcational. It was mostly for financial reasons because they needed money to get by. It was something said family member was okay with, as long as no boundaries were crossed. Think of it as, sex work I guess? And before anyone says anything about how terrible of an idea this was, once again, this is not the first time this has happened in this relationship. Honestly, to each their own, I guess.

Anyways, this new guy is no stranger; she has known this man since she was a child. He's in his late 40s with grown children, while she's in her late 20s.

Over time, what started as a financial arrangement turned into a serious relationship. Family member and his wife are still legally married, though. With no talks of divorce.

When my family member said it seems that serious boundaries to this arrangement had been crossed and that it was time to end things with the other man, there was a huge argument that resulted in law enforcement being called. Said boundaries being crossed were, obviously, some emotional attachment came into play from both her and him. He started driving by the house they used to share, and would put money and other things in her mailbox, and would just keep tabs on her. Since then, he hasn't returned to the home they shared with her and the kids.

From everything I've heard, the new relationship is going well. The other man financially supports her and the children, and by all appearances they have a stable household. The other man does not live there, but he does take them places, pays her bills, buys her kids things, etc. On top of that, she also receives state assistance. I don't know all of the details of how their finances work, but from the outside it seems strange that she's receiving public assistance while also being financially supported by someone else. I don't know if that's normal or not, but it just doesn't sit right with me.

Here's where it gets confusing.

Not long ago, she told my family member that she missed him. She spent time with him, they slept together, and she gave him hope that maybe they could work on their marriage and become a family again but that they would need to figure out what to do (like move, etc) and start fresh. She told said family member that she is unhappy with the new guy, and etc.

The other man eventually found out. She expected him to leave her, which is where she kind of jumped the gun on saying she was done with this guy, giving my family member hope, but he didn't. After that, she told my family member she had made a mistake by telling him she missed him, regretted sleeping with him, and said she still wants to be with the other man.

Now my family member is devastated all over again.

On top of that, he feels like he's slowly losing his relationship with his children. He's been told they don't really want to see him anymore-- his kid's words, btw.. They're kids, and this new man buys them things, supports the household in a sense of paying bills, buying them toys, trips, etc, and is around more, so I understand why that might influence them. But it's heartbreaking to watch what seems like the bond between a father and his children weakening. He also worries what kind of message this is sending to his children. His oldest daughter (8) once asked her mom if she could get something from the store, and when her mom told her she can't afford it at the moment, oldest daughter said, "well, just talk to that guy and he will give you money for it".

From my perspective, it seems like she has already made her choice, even if her actions briefly suggested otherwise. I worry that the mixed signals only prolonged his pain.

What advice would you give him? Is there any point in holding onto hope, or does it sound like it's time for him to accept that the marriage is over and focus on rebuilding his own life and his relationship with his children?