Can you identify this mystery sock?

[ifimay]

Just found under our bed. Not mine, looks too small to be his. I have done the laundry enough times to know his sock collection inside out and this is a rogue one. Thick sock, mens or womens? Anyone recognise it? Feeling very freaked out.

Have you asked him?

It could be MiLs sock?

Haven't asked him, found it shortly after he left for work this morning

I think its so unlikely that it is MIL's unfortunately - she hasn't even been in this room and didn't leave any clothes behind.

He didn't unpack his suitcase in this room when he returned from the trip.

It's not the sort of sock a woman would wear on an assignation with a married man!

Small chance it could be MiLs OP, DH once found a pair of black and gold large men's boxers in our airing cupboard. He was quite rightly freaked out and suspicious. Turned out we'd bought them home from the family ski trip and his stepfather was most grateful to have his favourite boxers back.
Can you just text MiL and ask her if she recognises it?

I am in a flat so no radiators for socks to hide behind.

But we do occasionally hang socks up in the boiler cupboard to dry and possible to leave one there when moving house. (Or on top shelf of fitted wardrobes)

Things often get caught up in other people's laundry, especially socks and bedding.

A lone sock can work its way out of a pillowcase or duvet cover after weeks, months, and surprise everybody.

I had a bit of an awkward moment once when I discovered a pair of an ex-boyfriend’s pants (I mean like a guy I dated twenty years prior) that had got balled up inside a (clean) single duvet cover that I dug out for my son when he moved into a single bed. Is it possible it’s come out of bed-linen? The hotel theory does sound plausible too. Or if you’ve semi-recently moved in is it possible it belonged to an ex of his? As people have said, it’s not a sock you’d wear to go round for a bit of clandestine afternoon sex is it? Maybe ask MIL if she knows it?

The sock is almost a red herring

You say you have reason to be suspicious of him. Why is that exactly? What's he doing that's setting off your radar?

Sorry you're going through this. I don't think you'll get anywhere asking him about the sock as he will just act puzzled etc.

Concentrate more on what he's doing that's sparking these feelings of mistrust in you

Anything is more plausible than an affair partner rushing off leaving behind one sock. Bra, yes. Single sock, no.

Just ask MiL directly? Don't have your OH until you've asked her.

Do either of you do any sports? Could you have picked up an extra sock in a changing room by accident?

(Also feel the need to share that I have fat fingers and that initially said 'licked up an extra sick' 🤢)

If it was under the bed and balled up, it does sound like it was taken off there and got knocked under the bed.
And it is very possible a single sock got left behind. Possible just picked up the other sock thinking they were together, shoved them in a bag and left. Easy to do if time get away from them and she had to leave in a bit of a rush.

If you have concerns though already that he may be cheating, this obviously takes on a significance. I'd keep hold of it. don't confront him, and start investigating.

All those saying its not the sort of sock to wear for a romantic encounter. What socks would you be wearing in the middle of the day? Much more likely someone was wearing jeans and ordinary clothes in the middle of the day than stilettos, a dress and stockings surely.

Has your partner got a reputation for being unfaithful?

Thanks all, some more info:

All our bedding was purchased after we started our relationship - duvets, duvet covers, pillows etc.

No recent exes. We have both moved house multiple times over the past few years so wouldn't so much have loads of really old stuff tucked away by accident.

As I say, if anyone had come round without my knowledge it would have been in the middle of the day as he's never been alone here overnight, only during the day.

Neither of us do ang sports etc, only ever go to work, home, supermarket really.

My money is on it being mother in law's.

@ifimay To add to those saying it’s not what someone would wear for a sexual encounter- it might not have been worn but could have been deliberately left to be found?
Its not a lacy thong but it could be evidence that someone else has been in in the bedroom and that in itself would set alarm bells ringing - also if OPs partner was to confront the AP about the item, they could say give the reason everyone else here is for it not being theirs.
I so hope there’s an innocent explanation for the random sock.

I think the fact you are suspicious and there are other things at play in the background means you think he’s cheated, and you can suspect that for whatever reason you are focusing on the sock. Which I do think is a woman’s sorry.

But I don’t know how anyone managed to cheat on their own bed, I’d recognise the bed looked different and I have such a strong sense of smell I would smell someone had been there. I can recognise friends by the smell of their laundry detergent!

Some reason to be suspicious, sadly.

What’s this all about?

It looks like a woman's sock to me.

Could it have been put there on purpose?

But why are you suspicious of him? You've not expanded on that

It's hardly a sock you'd wear to have rampant affair sex in

DNA test

Just remembered - I found a random earring back on the stairs about a month ago. Bery unlikely to be mine as I wear the same pair or earrings every day and haven't lost the backs of them. Brushed it off at the time.