Publicly acknowledging his wife's affair could be seen as an act of forgiveness- he is showing that he isn't ashamed his wife had an affair. Protecting secrets

Publicly acknowledging his wife's affair could be seen as an act of forgiveness- he is showing that he isn't ashamed his wife had an affair. Protecting secrets implies the past affair is shameful even today, that his wife needs to feel constantly ashamed, and gives those who discover the secret the power to embarrass or emotionally attack him and his wife. Refusing to hide it is a public declaration that it really doesn't matter today.