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Is he cheating? Urgent advice please!

479 replies

mouseymouse123 · 28/08/2026 18:32

Need urgent advice please because I don't know what to make of this and I'm incapable of keeping my emotions in! Months ago I found the back of an earring on my bed and confronted DH because I'm sure it wasn't mine, he was very convincing that there was nothing untoward going on. Naive as this may sound I don't think he's the sort that would cheat, I don't see how he'd even have the time for it (he works full time and we have 2 young DC). So I chalked it up to the cleaner/something I'd forgotten that got caught up and moved inadvertently.

This evening I have just found half a fake nail on my upstairs landing and I have no explanation of where it could have come from. I've fully panicked and managed to look through DHs phone. I didn't find anything on WhatsApp, Facebook or text messages.

I do not know what to do. I want to confront him because I'm terrible at hiding my feelings but I assume if anything IS going on he will just play it off again. What should I do? Apologies for the rushed and possibly incoherent message! x

OP posts:
Itsasecretnow · 31/08/2026 00:13

DinoDoughnut81 · 30/08/2026 22:45

Really? OP found messages to sex workers. He will only admit to "massage and conversation" from one. What is she meant to understand exactly? How the massage was? Even if he was only massaged and conversed (unlikeliest thing ever) with a prostitute that would be enough for many people not to trust again. That's absolutely fair enough. I don't know what he would be explaining to be honest. How do you explain the unexplainable?
Why he did it? Who cares, it's wrong, he knows it and OP does too.

Absolutely agree! He’s already admitted he went, and no man goes to a sex worker if they genuinely only want a massage, that’s the most unbelievable bullshit ever. He could go to an actual masseuse or a sports massage, anything and anywhere other than a sex worker. This is her boundary, she doesn’t need to talk it through with him, have a lovely cosy chat about how he spaffed the sex worker… honestly, I don’t get women who try and talk another woman out of their own boundaries and decisions!

Itsasecretnow · 31/08/2026 00:23

moondip · 30/08/2026 22:42

And anyone saying to think of the children before making hasty decisions: how healthy is it for children to be living among conflict and a total lack of trust. I think OP mentioned she has girls, who of course she owes it to to show how women do and do not deserve to be treated in this world.

Exactly this, how is it healthy for two girls to be brought up in a family dynamic where a man thinks that it’s ok to treat women like this and that all of this is ok, but more than that, how is it healthy for two little girls to be brought up seeing their mother be treated like this, to think it’s ok for men to disrespect women? What kind of relationships would they have with men when they’re older, what would they learn that it’s ok to put up with? Those two girls deserve to be brought up to live and experience what it’s like to respect themselves and to not put up with shit from men. Any man with daughters (or any man at all, to be totally honest!) that pays women for sex, they were once little girls like his are now, so how would they feel if their own daughters were in that situation when they grow up? How should a man feel about other lecherous men paying for sex with their own daughters when they’re older? You can bet your arse that no (decent) man would ever be ok with that, yet they’re happy to go off and do it themselves?

T1Dmama · 31/08/2026 00:43

So if he’s claiming ignorance about the nail, is he saying the earring back was the occasion he had a ‘massage’ ??

Also if it was ‘just’ a massage, why didn’t he tell you he was having one in advance?

For me I don’t believe he had one massage and was unlucky enough that an earring back was left behind on the first and only occasion he had one!…. And why would an earring come out unless you’re pulling clothes off over your head.?

He’s a cheater and has been caught out - not once but twice… and it sounds like there are multiple messages… doing it in your house too… nah he’d be having his bags packed !

T1Dmama · 31/08/2026 00:44

With kids as small as your yours can you not stay in the house till they both finish education?

TheChickenRun · 31/08/2026 01:00

That isn’t where people get a therapeutic massage….

Shangle · 31/08/2026 04:24

I dont think its a good idea to "nest" with a man who think its ok to fuck prostitutes in the family home. Creepy

WeDid2 · 31/08/2026 05:35

I'm sorry you are going through this.
I just wanted to add - try not to worry too much about the nail as I think those things can be sticky and attach to shoes etc - not necessarily for cheating reasons. In some ways though the nail was helpful to trigger you to look for more info.

3luckystars · 31/08/2026 07:23

mouseymouse123 · 30/08/2026 21:52

Everything was shut today but planning to see GP on Tuesday for STI test and mental health.

I haven't spoken to him beyond necessary arrangements for kids, but he messaged sticking to the original line that it was just one time for a massage, and he has no idea about the nail.

He has to say that. Minimise it. He has to do this as there is no way he can tell the truth as it’s 10 times worse than you could imagine it.

Im so sorry you are going through this, he is in damage control mode, its will be so much lies at this point that he might start believing them himself.

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 07:57

Frillysweetpea · 30/08/2026 21:51

Quite. I'm not sure why this poster thinks that objectifying women, buying them and treating them like a piece of meat is somehow less awful than having an affair.

Objectifying- buying them- pieces of meat :what stupid nonsensical terminology when women would do the same if it was the other way round. You sound very disdainful towards men like you have a bone to pick. Seems like you ve experienced some right ex'es

Canitrustagain · 31/08/2026 08:16

mouseymouse123 · 29/08/2026 13:51

Yes we each have our wages go into a personal account, then we transfer into the joint account from which all bills are taken.

We are mortgaged and I believe my name is on both the mortgage and house deeds.

How do you not know for definite whether you're on the house deeds? You need to check. Someone said take your time but I disagree. The quicker you see a solicitor and put the house on the market the better.

Bendycucumberpatch · 31/08/2026 09:41

Sending compassion and support to you Mousey, it takes lots of courage to share even with people you can be anonymous with. Hope you feel supported by us in whatever choices you make for your life. Trust your gut every time

Frillysweetpea · 31/08/2026 10:25

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 07:57

Objectifying- buying them- pieces of meat :what stupid nonsensical terminology when women would do the same if it was the other way round. You sound very disdainful towards men like you have a bone to pick. Seems like you ve experienced some right ex'es

Wake up - prostituted women are exploited women. How many women do you know using male prositutes? They are rarer than hen's teeth. Assumptions about my relationships are irrelevant and just that.

ShrubLover · 31/08/2026 10:36

I promise you, no matter how terrible this time will be, when you are in the other side you will be so relieved to be out of this marriage. Every single divorced woman I know is 100pc happy with their decision.

Zerosleep · 31/08/2026 11:57

You need to get urgent legal advice and start getting your ducks in a row. So sorry you are having to go through this but people don’t change, he can be sorry he has done this but he will do it again. People don’t change and he clearly has no respect for himself you to your family. Absolutely disgusting man.

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 12:53

Frillysweetpea · 31/08/2026 10:25

Wake up - prostituted women are exploited women. How many women do you know using male prositutes? They are rarer than hen's teeth. Assumptions about my relationships are irrelevant and just that.

Edited

Clearly your generalizing women who work in the prostitute trade as if its forced labour - no its not. They choose to do it. They advertise and want to exploit themselves.

DinoDoughnut81 · 31/08/2026 13:11

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 12:53

Clearly your generalizing women who work in the prostitute trade as if its forced labour - no its not. They choose to do it. They advertise and want to exploit themselves.

Is this the thread you want to come on to to tell us this? There is a person who's marriage has imploded. Please.

Elviva · 31/08/2026 13:36

No serious massage therapist uses false nails.

Elviva · 31/08/2026 13:39

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 12:53

Clearly your generalizing women who work in the prostitute trade as if its forced labour - no its not. They choose to do it. They advertise and want to exploit themselves.

Ever looked at sex trafficking statistics? I worked with a charity that supports exploited women and children. It's much more widespread than you think. A few months ago in my small town there was a raid on a house not far from me. One Albanian male and one Romanian male arrested for holding two women captive and forcing them to have sex for money.

Frillysweetpea · 31/08/2026 14:29

Doozycan · 31/08/2026 12:53

Clearly your generalizing women who work in the prostitute trade as if its forced labour - no its not. They choose to do it. They advertise and want to exploit themselves.

Your ignorance is astonishing but it's not my job to educate you and I'm not going to derail OP s thread.

Lurker85 · 31/08/2026 14:31

If I was falsely accused of cheating I would be fuming, I certainly wouldn’t agree to leave my own house. Of course he’s cheated

LIPFearFactor · 31/08/2026 14:34

Witchergeralt · 30/08/2026 22:12

I think you're probably right but ... If there is even the faintest chance he is telling the truth shouldn't she find out before throwing away her marriage?

Let’s imagine for a moment we do live in a world where this could be true. He still hid it from her. Remember the earring back? What did he say? Did he say ‘oh it was probably just Mel - I paid her for a massage and a chat because I was feeling a bit down in the dumps’. No. He did not.

Jesus. I suspect you are a man. If you are a woman, however, please raise the bar and if you have sons - please guide them well! This kind of shit no longer washes. Women do not need men any more. It’s a choice. And most of us will not be sticking with sleazy, dishonest weasels like this. Raise. The. Bar!

LIPFearFactor · 31/08/2026 14:50

FunCrab · 30/08/2026 22:14

This all seems to be moving very fast. It would be useful to stop and think what is best for you and what is best for your children.
Making decisions without a full understanding of the situation maybe to hasty. I feel you need a full conversation with him to understand exactly what has gone on. He needs the opportunity to explain himself. If you had a friend in this situation what would you say to them? Some people here are calling him all sorts without that understanding from him of what has really gone on and why. I am not here to defend this but I do think a balanced discussion is needed as there are two children who are innocent of all of this involved.

I disagree. She has facts. Known facts - he contacted and paid sex workers who came to the house. Even if they just came for a cuppa and biscuit or to help with DIY. He lied. He hid it. When she found the earring back he could have owned up to it but didn’t. But let’s face it - it’s 99.9% certain there was at least a sexual element to those visits. Highly likely that sex acts concurred.

A healthy relationship relies on psychological safety and there is no way that can be regained now.

Letting him talk to her at length only serves him. It gives him the chance to deny, minimise and blame her. Twist it so she stays. Which I would bet good money he would do. She is still vulnerable and could well be talked into giving it another try or seeing a therapist together. But when someone shows you who they are - believe them. It just prolongs it.

Divorce allows two lengthy cooling off periods so plenty of time to reconsider. But it takes fucking ages. So sooner started the better.

This is him. It wasn’t a one off. It wasn’t a drunken mistake. It was premeditated and showed no concern, love or respect for the OP. She destroyed much better than that. Even being alone is better than feeling alone and not psychologically safe with a partner.

LIPFearFactor · 31/08/2026 14:58

LIPFearFactor · 31/08/2026 14:50

I disagree. She has facts. Known facts - he contacted and paid sex workers who came to the house. Even if they just came for a cuppa and biscuit or to help with DIY. He lied. He hid it. When she found the earring back he could have owned up to it but didn’t. But let’s face it - it’s 99.9% certain there was at least a sexual element to those visits. Highly likely that sex acts concurred.

A healthy relationship relies on psychological safety and there is no way that can be regained now.

Letting him talk to her at length only serves him. It gives him the chance to deny, minimise and blame her. Twist it so she stays. Which I would bet good money he would do. She is still vulnerable and could well be talked into giving it another try or seeing a therapist together. But when someone shows you who they are - believe them. It just prolongs it.

Divorce allows two lengthy cooling off periods so plenty of time to reconsider. But it takes fucking ages. So sooner started the better.

This is him. It wasn’t a one off. It wasn’t a drunken mistake. It was premeditated and showed no concern, love or respect for the OP. She destroyed much better than that. Even being alone is better than feeling alone and not psychologically safe with a partner.

  • occurred not concurred
  • deserves not destroyed.
GreatLimePeer · 31/08/2026 15:03

DozyCrow · 29/08/2026 14:46

Just to make people aware, if you don't know, but there are many secret messaging apps that look like something else. Some appear to be games, there's one that looks like a calculator app and even one that looks like a news site with message notifications popping up as 'news alerts' to a casual glance. If someone is tech savvy, it's worth checking their frequently used apps to check if there's something being used much more than would make sense.

This is becoming increasingly common.

Get some advice from Refuge regarding devices in the property. You also need to be sure that your devices are not being accessed. Be aware that vehicles can have trackers easily hidden and in addition to that, an individual only has to charge their phone in a vehicle to install anything. Many people act very very differently when their life is going to change, best to prepared.

As other people have said, get copies of all important documents immediately.

Rottweilermummy · 31/08/2026 17:29

You need more proof, a nail could easily be stuck to a shoe, and earring back could be yours or cleaners, calm down and think about it. Has he done anything before that makes you so suspicious, mentioned anyone at work? Hope all is well and your worries end up being unjustified

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