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Relationships

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

Please help- extremely clever husband who is cheating.

73 replies

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 08:55

Hi,

I am going crazy. I think my partner is cheating on me. Maybe even gay. We have been married for 11yrs and have two children. I can't leave without proof due to the culture I am from. My eyes were oblivious to everything he was doing until one day he was acting very odd (3 or 4yrs ago now). He works two jobs so is hardly at home or is at home when we aren't. I work during the day and that's when he's home. He's home for an hour after the kids get home from school then is off to his next job. He has one full day off from both jobs in the week. 3/4yrs ago, on that one day off he was acting very odd. I didn't say anything, just kept watching and observing him. Anyway, he basically pretended to go to sleep really early because he was very tired but went to bed dressed with socks etc on. He placed his wallet and watch outside in the hallway very carefully. I got into bed, pretended I fell asleep. As soon as he thought I was asleep, he began using his phone. He had called an uber and was waiting for it. He then very carefully got out of bed, got his wallet, watch, keys etc and went out of the house. He returned at 1 or 2 am. He went fresh and alert and came back really tired, out of it. He was very careful to open the door and be very quiet. He shut my room door and went straight in the shower. He was in there for an hour. I heard him brushing his teeth, using mouthwash etc. then he put the laundry on with his clothes inside. He then went and sat in the living room for an hour. Very stupidly, I just lay in bed, frozen and in shock. I should have confronted him then and there. But so many questions dawned on me, how long had this been going on for? How long has he been making me a fool? How long have I been so stupid to trust him? So many things were going through my mind that I couldn't confront him. For a week, I watched what he was doing. Everytime I'd come home from work, I'd realise the laundry was on and he'd hang the clothes out etc (always refused to do it when I asked him). And it was always his clothes. Then some days he slacked and only put them in the laundry when he realised I was getting suspicious. I checked them, he had obviously been masturbating because he had cum in his boxers. Anyway a week went past. I tried to get into his phone, I couldn't. Didn't know the password, he had so many locks on there. Then I tried to put the sim in my phone, managed to change the password for his email and instagram. I found out nothing because he deleted everything and unknown to my knowledge at the time- he had other accounts too. I found on his email, emails that he had changed his password, he done this daily- I found that odd. Anyways after a week I was done, I was killing myself. Trying to watch him, trying to get into his phone when he fell asleep, etc. I only saw him msging men on fb/instagram but couldn't see what he was typing or saying. I confronted him, I asked him if he was gay. He told me he wasn't but his hands were shaking. He showed me his phone but of course I didn't find anything in there because I didn't know where to look at the time and also because everything was hidden. He let me look at the phone for about 2mins. Then he started getting defensive and arguing with me about how dare I say that etc. anyway fast forward to now, I have been suspicious of him since then. He has a password on his phone that I don't know, he has a facial recognition on his phone. He will never let me hold his phone. He wouldn't let the kids on his phone but now does but doesn't let them out of his sight. Just in case I might take a look at his phone. If my battery is dead and I ask to use his phone to call someone, he will go put my phone on charge, wait till it's 3% then give it to me to call but not give me his phone. He knew my phone password, kept going on my phone and checking my msgs, my bank, etc. but after him not allowing me, I've also changed my lock etc. he has a lock on everything, WhatsApp etc. he now has a black screen so I can't see anything when next to him. I noticed he has three diff TikTok accounts. Before, he didn't have all privacy settings on TikTok so I could see what videos he liked, they were all gay ones. Then he noticed I was looking at his profile everyday and changed the settings. Recently I've noticed he gets so many notifications from Snapchat (mostly from men but some from women) but I'm on his Snapchat and do not see any of his snaps up. I desperately need to get into his phone but I can't. I need help. I am so desperate to get out of this relationship. In these 11yrs he has been controlling, playing mind games with me (so much so that I doubt myself now), he gaslights me so much, the mental abuse is unreal. Always comparing me to other women etc. before anyone says, just leave him you don't need proof- please don't. If I could, without proof, I wouldn't think twice. I wouldn't kill myself like this. I can't eat, sleep, rest. I know he's doing something but don't know what. I need help- please! Everyday, he refuses sex with me but I come home to see that he has masturbated, showered etc. I am acting totally dumb like I don't suspect him, don't know of anything. In the hopes that he will slip up but he is way too clever for me. He does not slip up, even when exhausted. Someone please help me get out of this. When I have proof, I will pack his bags, show him and his family the proof and apply for a divorce- I'm not suffering anymore. 11yrs is more than enough.

OP posts:
Beachwalker66 · 25/04/2026 08:59

If you absolutely “need” proof then you should hire a private investigator.

I wouldn’t bother but it’s up to you.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 25/04/2026 08:59

Regardless of what is going on here - I would chuck him out - what on ear to are you gaining from staying? It sounds a horrible situation you need to get out of this for your own mental health.

Toooldtocare25 · 25/04/2026 09:00

Sod getting proof , you are living an unhappy life. You only get one. Make it count.

user1492757084 · 25/04/2026 09:00

Private investigator all the way.

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:06

Beachwalker66 · 25/04/2026 08:59

If you absolutely “need” proof then you should hire a private investigator.

I wouldn’t bother but it’s up to you.

I would get a private investigator but I wouldn't find out much- he doesn't go out anywhere anymore (since the last time) and doesn't drive yet. So everything he does is at home, specifically on his phone. I have recorded him before but he is clever, doesn't make those phone calls at home so I get nothing out of them. I need access to his phone.

yes I am living a very unhappy life. I can't explain but because of my culture, if I left the relationship like this, believe me, leaving this relationship would be 10x worse for me. I need proof.

OP posts:
O00ps · 25/04/2026 09:06

What kind of proof? Hard physical evidence of a sex act? You already have the times he leaves the house, the cum in boxers. Take photos and notes of everything you discover. All the little details are proof.

ThePM · 25/04/2026 09:07

Yes he is cheating. Of course he is.

I think the simplest thing might be l to ask him and to present an offer that makes a divorce easy for everyone. If you demonstrate that you are prepared to work towards a win-win solution then maybe you can get out of the marriage more easily.

could you say “it’s clear that you don’t want to be in the marriage really, and are just using it as cover. I understand that, there is so much shame for us. I don’t want to blow up everyone’s life and just want to reach an honest and fair conclusion, so we can both walk away with our dignity intact.
I would propose.. and then have some proposals”

of course it is understandable tha you want to be able to say I told you.

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:09

O00ps · 25/04/2026 09:06

What kind of proof? Hard physical evidence of a sex act? You already have the times he leaves the house, the cum in boxers. Take photos and notes of everything you discover. All the little details are proof.

No, snapchats, conversations, pics. I want proof that he is gay. In my heart, I know that he is but I need the proof to confirm it. In the past, I have spoken with his mother to tell her of the way he treats me (she plays a big part in his life). I response, she said to "does he not buy you clothes? Does he not buy you shoes? Does he not buy you food? Does he not do everything for your children? In what way is my son wrong?" From that day onwards, I realised, I can't leave this relationship like this.

OP posts:
RopaVieja · 25/04/2026 09:11

Have you ever confronted him about the time when you witnessed him getting an Uber in the middle of the night, when he thought you were asleep? Or do you think he'd just deny it?

Summerluvin1 · 25/04/2026 09:12

This is why I don't agree with some cultures, the 'shame' you would bring for walking away from a toxic, dead relationship, without showing them physical proof (not their business!) Is disgusting. If hes not going anywhere then yeah a PI isn't gonna get much. Is he on gay dating apps u think? Can u create a fake account and see if you 'match' or at least find his profile on there? Message him and them screenshot Amy messages or at least take a screenshot of his dating profile - might be a slim chance but still a chance.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 25/04/2026 09:14

So the issue is one incident of leaving the house to cheat, using porn/erotic chat and not having sex with you?

Not ongoing cheating as such, just no interest in you?

ViciousCurrentBun · 25/04/2026 09:17

When you write 10 times worse do you mean honour killing/totally disowned. I am making an assumption but you probably need specialist advice. Try Southall Black Sisters. My mate had a friend who gave up her entire family to avoid an arranged marriage. This was the in the mid 1990’s. I only met her a couple of times, lovely woman. She basically gave up everything and relocated to London.

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:17

RopaVieja · 25/04/2026 09:11

Have you ever confronted him about the time when you witnessed him getting an Uber in the middle of the night, when he thought you were asleep? Or do you think he'd just deny it?

Yes, I did. He said to me that he went to a friends house. After that day, he's never done it again.

OP posts:
Snaletrale · 25/04/2026 09:18

use a secret camera or recording device to record his conversations when you aren’t at home?

Normally I wouldn’t advocate that as if you reach that point, you should leave anyway. But if you need real proof…

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:23

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 25/04/2026 09:14

So the issue is one incident of leaving the house to cheat, using porn/erotic chat and not having sex with you?

Not ongoing cheating as such, just no interest in you?

The issue isn't one incident. That's one incident that I noticed. I know he has done things before that. For you it might not be cheating, for me it is. There's lot of things, just don't have enough time to be typing everything out. I have enough reasons to doubt him and his sexuality.

it'd wouldn't be as bad as honour killing but I know there would be lots of false rumours to make me look bad, some of my family would disown me etc. he is too clever for spy cameras. He is always on edge so notices everything in a room. There isn't anywhere that I could put a secret camera without him realising. I have recorded before but he doesn't have phone calls at home. He is very clever.

OP posts:
Fooledaroundandfellinlove · 25/04/2026 09:24

Don’t have sex with him. He could be sleeping around and expose you to sexual infections.

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:27

Fooledaroundandfellinlove · 25/04/2026 09:24

Don’t have sex with him. He could be sleeping around and expose you to sexual infections.

He doesn't take no as an answer. He will gaslight me and emotionally blackmail me. Our sex life is very limited anyway. We only have sex on his day off. It's pretty much like, come on let's have sex. 10mins, done, have a shower. Like a tick box, just tick that you've had sex. I am going to get tested for STI's. That's another thing, he refuses to go to the doctors for anything. Refuses to get any blood work, tests, etc done.

OP posts:
RopaVieja · 25/04/2026 09:28

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:17

Yes, I did. He said to me that he went to a friends house. After that day, he's never done it again.

I can't believe he expected you to buy that!! Who goes to a friend's house in secret in the middle of the night!

foxinasnowstorm · 25/04/2026 09:29

could he be doing something illegal-crimes ets

powersthatbe · 25/04/2026 09:31

Hire the private investigator. Maybe they will find his Grindr profile / set a trap to get proof…he really isnt as clever as you think, and will almost certainly be pushing boundaries outside the home.

But also, why not consider getting support from friends to leave this culture and break the cycle for your kids (i understand this is not as easy to do but its got to be better tha how you are living).

FettchYeSandbagges · 25/04/2026 09:41

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:27

He doesn't take no as an answer. He will gaslight me and emotionally blackmail me. Our sex life is very limited anyway. We only have sex on his day off. It's pretty much like, come on let's have sex. 10mins, done, have a shower. Like a tick box, just tick that you've had sex. I am going to get tested for STI's. That's another thing, he refuses to go to the doctors for anything. Refuses to get any blood work, tests, etc done.

He doesn't take no for an answer? What he is doing to you is illegal.There is only one word for that, and it is rape. I'm so sorry. Flowers

Please try and think of a way that you can end this terrible abusive relationship.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/04/2026 09:41

What sort of culture demands proof?. Who are you going to show any photos of his wrong doings to?. As if they would care anyway. He’s taking you for a fool.

His mother will always back her son so it’s a waste of time trying to get her on board.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/04/2026 09:45

You do not need proof to show his family: they’d likely say you doctored them somehow. The fact that you are living an already unhappy life is enough to end this marriage. And the family members that would disown you are really not worth bothering about either. It’s out moded attitudes like this that keep you trapped.

Are you in the U.K.?.

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 10:18

i know that it is classed as rape. I know that he mentally abuses me, financially abuses me and has also tried to physically abuse me but I put a stop to that. I am based in the UK. I do need proof, for myself, for him and for his family. Regardless if they accept it or not, I will know that it wasn't me who was unfaithful. During these 11yrs, I have taken so much of his abuse, he has taken years from me that I'll never get back. He has changed me as a person. I cannot leave without the proof. He is a narcissist, he will turn it all on me. Let's say, for all of the reasons stated above I need the proof but I also need and want the proof for my own insanity. To prove to myself that I am not going crazy. That might sound stupid but the abuse he has given me, gaslighting, even making me stupid infront of everyone- he can't just get away with it.

OP posts:
Besidemyselfwithworry · 25/04/2026 10:24

PeppyLemur · 25/04/2026 09:09

No, snapchats, conversations, pics. I want proof that he is gay. In my heart, I know that he is but I need the proof to confirm it. In the past, I have spoken with his mother to tell her of the way he treats me (she plays a big part in his life). I response, she said to "does he not buy you clothes? Does he not buy you shoes? Does he not buy you food? Does he not do everything for your children? In what way is my son wrong?" From that day onwards, I realised, I can't leave this relationship like this.

Contact your local women’s refuge and just go
do not put up with this
don’t hang around waiting for evidence you are not likely to ever obtain - what a total waste of time
prioritise yourself and focus on getting wage slips, pension paperwork, mortgage statements copies of bank statements bills etc

its 2026 you do not have to live like this regardless of your culture it’s not acceptable you deserve better.

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