If the worst happens and the infection was transmitted, it is very unlikely your partner will have "a lifelong battle with herpes". Among people with newly acquired genital herpes due to HSV-1, about 40% have only the initial infection and no recurrent outbreaks at all. Another 40% have 1-2 outbreaks in the next couple of years, then no more. And only a few have frequent ongoing recurrent outbreaks.