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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is he cheating? My instinct is going crazy

22 replies

Fullmoontonihht · 10/01/2020 20:30

Over the past 6 months or so, I have been getting this weird feeling that something isn’t right in the relationship. I have never had this feeling before in this relationship, but I did in the previous one, when I thought my ex was cheating me, and I was right.
All started with him moving to a new job, suddenly he was working all late, coming home smelling of alcohol and being on his phone all the time. Even at dinner in a restaurant, and all holiday.
I wasn’t happy but thought (and still hope) it’s the new job. To be fair I could see, and hear the calls and messages were work related, however there are things happening that I just can’t explain, and my intuition is telling, or more like screaming, that something is going on behind my back. I started going through his stuff and basically snooping when he is not around. These are some of the things that started my paranoia:

  • I found a brand new metal water bottle (?) in his bag, price still attached , in let’s say a girly pattern, like a snake print or leopard print, can’ remember anymore. It was in his bag for a couple of days, then disappeared. I never saw it again. Originally I though it was for me.
  • when we were on holiday, he went back to the room to get on a work call. He then joined me by the pool. I then went back to our room to use the toilet. His laptop was still on, but I never looked at anything. He came back running as if he realised he’d left the computer on, and quickly closed it.
  • I normally got some expensive or meaningful Christmas gift, this year he gave me a bottle of perfume which I already have, and a card written 2 min before handing it to me.
-his phone is always with him, I don’t know the password anyway, and when WhatsApp messages arrive, you can’t see who they are from- he must have set that up in the privacy settings. All you can see is ‘new WhatsApp message’ -now the best one. I found a pair of women’s extra replacement heels in his bag. You know, the little plastic bag with heel caps you get with a box of new shoes. This was before Christmas. I was REALLY hoping they were for me, and that I would be getting new heels for Christmas. Deep down I knew I would’t. And I didn’t. I got a bottle of perfume.

I have no way of checking anything, his phone is by his side all the time, and even if I somehow got hold of it, I haven’t got the code.

He says he loves me so so much, I am his love, I am his everything, we have sex 2-3 times a week, sometimes less, he seems to still be interested in me, but I just don’t know. Everything is telling me, there is someone. I don’t think I can leave without a hard proof. I am still half hoping I am being paranoid and maybe the heels were there innocently? But how? And the water bottle? I feel I am going crazy.

OP posts:
Rubyfriyay · 10/01/2020 20:32

Read your post back to yourself would be my advice...

Emma123batmab · 10/01/2020 20:33

As above

category12 · 10/01/2020 20:37

Yeah. Not much hope here.

Keepmewarm · 10/01/2020 20:39

If someone else posted that what would you say?
Have you spoken to him? If I found a water bottle I would ask Dh who’s it was. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions.

ohwheniknow · 10/01/2020 20:41

Why do you need "hard proof" to end things? You're not conducting a criminal investigation.

CastaNettes · 10/01/2020 20:42

I’d totally buy one of those sound recording devices off eBay or amazon and leave them running discreetly in the background during one of his call to record what was being said.

IM0GEN · 10/01/2020 20:45

The heel tips are so random. I can only assume they fell out of the shoe box in his car and he hid them in his bag.

It all says ‘affair’ to me. So if you are going crazy, so am I.

Opentooffers · 10/01/2020 20:48

Does he talk to you about work much? Get him to open up and talk about work if you can. Is there any opportunity of joining him on a works night out? Look out for mentionitis of a particular person. Failing that, just tell him you've noticed a change in behaviour so what gives? He might have a plausible reason or he might come clean. Good luck.

Whynosnowyet · 10/01/2020 20:49

Maybe he is a transvestite and the shoes are his..

Emmelina · 10/01/2020 20:51

Read the post back, as if you were casually scrolling MumsNet and clicked it (as I just have). What would your advice be to the OP?

Fullmoontonihht · 10/01/2020 20:55

Thank you for your replies. I know, it looks bad. I don’t hold much hope. Being in this situation though makes you think of all possible excuses that could explain his behaviour. The heels though...

Yes his work is pretty much all he talks about, but never mentions any women. I don’t think he would. I am growin more and more suspicious that he is a complete stranger, and if he really is having an affair, I am in for the shock of my life, as he has been mr perfect for years.

OP posts:
Fullmoontonihht · 10/01/2020 21:01

Obviously, I would say all of those things are very very suspicious, probably a 99% chance of an affair.
Has anybody been in a similar situation, had the gut feeling and just ‘knew’, but turned out to be wrong? I know, I am being silly now.
I fear, whiteout a proof I would be easily drawn back to him, even if I break up now. I would always think ‘what if he wasn’t cheating’. He is the absolute love of my life.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 10/01/2020 21:04

I just knew when my ex was. Can you look at him when he unlocks his phone ?

I'd engineer needing it - phone flat, cant get to a web site etc so can I use yours ...

category12 · 10/01/2020 21:07

"Can I borrow your phone a minute - i just want to look [something] up."

HollowTalk · 10/01/2020 21:18

How convinced are you that he was on a work call when you were on holiday?

His love of work could easily be because he's fallen for someone there.

Why not ask him now, out of the blue, about that water bottle?

I'd be determined to get to the bottom of this, personally.

Wondersense · 10/01/2020 21:19

The waterbottle and the heels would be enough for me, in addition to the laptop thing. Come on. Replacement heels???????

Graciebutterfly · 10/01/2020 22:34

Exdp never mentioned women work Colleagues besides the odd older one or the one with dc.
I actually didn't know he had so many on his team.

I had a feeling, and he was acting more passionate and also getting very mad at himself for nothing.

Well Boxing Day I saw his phone and there was a message from a girl wanting a repeat of there naughty fun and a sweet picture of her fanny Confused

SandyY2K · 11/01/2020 01:02

Could the water bottle be something he uses at work? I'm not sure if it was Christmas time, but might the bottle have been a secret Santa work gift he bought? Same with the heels?

If it wasn't Christmas time, then it certainly looks dodgy.

Look into getting a VAR and place in his car.

managedmis · 11/01/2020 01:07

Do what a pp says - say your phone battery is flat and you need to make a call on his cell... Then as you do so wander into the bathroom and lock the door - see what he does.

IM0GEN · 11/01/2020 18:17

You need to borrow his phone ( as above ) when you are out with other People, so he can’t refuse. It doesn’t work if you do it at home alone. He will just tell you to use the house phone or say he wI’ll help you look for it etc.

So wait until you as with others, friends or family. Leave your own phone at home and the say loudly in front of everyone “ oh no, I just remembered , I need to phone x about Y tonight. Can I borrow you phone please DP? “ then stand up and hold out your hand for it.

You must do this publicLy in front of others, preferably somewhere like the dinner table or a noisy pub where people would naturally go out to make a phone call.

Also he can’t refuse if it’s in front of others, with looking crazy.

IM0GEN · 11/01/2020 18:18

Could the water bottle be something he uses at work? I'm not sure if it was Christmas time, but might the bottle have been a secret Santa work gift he bought? Same with the heels

Because a pair of stilettos are an obvious secret Santa gift????

mamato3lads · 11/01/2020 18:51

Sounds dodgy OP. I'd be asking questions and I'd be very suspicious.

100% do the phone thing. Randomly ask to borrow it. Let your phone deliberately die first, so you have an excuse.

He should hand it over, no problem

I did this for a while when suspicious of my DH. He hands it to me without hesitation if I ask...which I do sometimes totally out of the blue. It's a good test. Flowers

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