I desperately wanted to believe that my XH had only looked. It was easy to believe actually, not because I thought he loved me too much, but because I thought he was gutless! Just as you say.
Looking back, it really just my desperation, he obviously had. I don't want to twist the knife, I'm sorry - but how likely is it that he was too gutless to go through with it, multiple times?
Btw, my XH's phone was full of these just a few second calls. I think maybe a lot go to voicemail?! At the time, I used that as 'evidence' he didn't go through with it. I now know he's been sleeping with prostitutes for at least 25 years
so no way were the short calls him backing out!
I'll just say this - what really did for my self esteem, was staying knowing (deep down) that I was being a total mug believing his "only looking" crap. I was, at the end, far more angry with myself for allowing him to treat me that way, than I was with him for cheating.
That you say he has made it known he'd go elsewhere for sex... charming. I'd think twice about trying to make it work with someone who was that nasty, even if they didn't go through with it.