Yes, you are right of course. What I and my children know is the only thing that matters. As far as havubg the strength, I think it helps that she's so far away. They are together once a month for 5 - 6 days but when he is here it's a good, long time before he sees her again although of course he is talking to her and thinking about her.
I had that type of relationship The flea would come to pick up my son and sleep with me, drop off my son and sleep with me. He would get out of work to come visit me, and all the time after leaving my house he would go to big foot. I was thinking he cared about me. That made me feel very secured. He was here but, he wasnt here. Until I found out he was living with her. I put a stop to it and he is longer allowed to come into my house.