Sean Burke and Braunwyn Windham-Burke were on the hot seat during the “The Real Housewives of Orange County” meeting.
The couple answered questions about their unconventional wedding by Andy Cohen and the other “housewives” when the episode came to an end on Wednesday night.
The conversation started with Braunwyn, 43, admitting that he was always attracted to women “but it had nothing to do with what [she] wanted ”for his life with a home, children and“ the perfect life ”.
“I have never been attracted to men physically,” she added.
“Have you never been physically attracted to Sean?” Cohen asked her about her husband more than two decades ago. She declared herself a lesbian in December.
After a long pause, she replied, “No. And it breaks my heart to say that. “
“I imagine it breaks your heart to hear,” Cohen told Sean.
“Yes. Certainly so,” replied Sean. “I mean, when I think things are exciting or different, it involves drinking, going out at that moment in our relationship. Of course we have an emotional connection, we are best friends and we like each other. another that way, but that was a part of our relationship that was really difficult and challenging. ”
He also admitted that “it was in a way a relief” when Braunwyn spoke to him because he looked like an elephant in the room to him.
Cohen then asked what role Braunwyn’s friend Shari played in her marriage, as Braunwyn told the girls this season that she had moved in with the couple during a quarantine period.
“It was she who kept me sober,” said Braunwyn as Gina Kirschenheiter rolled her eyes.
She explained that Shari would comfort her during “outbreaks” and explain it. At one point, Braunwyn fell in love with Shari.
“We took a trip. She wanted me to leave him for her and I couldn’t do that, ”said Braunwyn.
“Oh, is Shari a lesbian?” Kirschenheiter asked.
“No,” replied Braunwyn. “No. We just had one thing.”
Braunwyn then noticed that they had never done anything physically, but had an emotional connection.
“She left,” Braunwyn continued. “He flew. When he was there, we had an incredible conversation. I was like, ‘I want to be with women. I would love to try to have an open wedding with you. I think we should try it because you’re still my best friend, like, I love you. And he agreed with that. “
The couple, who have seven children, are still trying to discover their new relationship – with Sean also starting to date. Braunwyn said he found out when they returned from the trip that another woman was at his home.
“I didn’t take it well,” she admitted, as the women started side conversations about how their relationship was one-sided. Braunwyn said that they started therapy together to find out what they want from their lives and each other.
Both Sean and Braunwyn are unsure of what their future will be like – or whether they will return to “RHOC” – but both want to remain committed to their family as Braunwyn continues to date his girlfriend Kris.
“It is mixed. It’s difficult, ”confessed Sean. “After being with someone for 25 years, it’s clear that it’s hard to say, ‘Oh my God, how did this happen? How did I not see this? ‘But on the other hand, she is much happier and we don’t fight. “
The women then agreed that Braunwyn was selfish when it came to Sean’s role in their relationship, with Kirschenheiter mentioning that Braunwyn confessed to physically abusing Sean during the quarantine.
“I slapped him. I hit him, ”said Braunwyn. “It was horrible.”
When Cohen started to explain how the conversation might have been different if Braunwyn had been a man who admitted to having abused, Kirschenheiter made reference to his own quarrel with ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter, who was accused of domestic violence when he shouted, “It would have destroyed your family. “
Sean admitted that he allowed her to drink and wanted to prevent her from drinking during the situation when Braunwyn slapped her and said he knew he was getting in her way. While Kirschenheiter said she was upset about this, Braunwyn said she didn’t have to apologize to the cast.
At the end of the conversation, the women sided with Sean – which would make the next season interesting.