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I think I’ve just caught my husband cheating

518 replies

CoffeeRevelsfan · Yesterday 16:00

DH is working from home and I was doing the housework, I walked upstairs as a jet went over the house so it was really loud. We don’t live on a flight path so it was unusual. I went into his office and he literally jumped out of his skin and pressed the X to hide a teams message on screen. I asked about the jet just as another message popped up on teams from a woman called Joanna - he scrabbled to press the X again as fast as possible and was as red as a beetroot. The message said “yeah, it looked better in my head hahaha”.

His whole demeanour had changed and looked hugely guilty and caught out. I asked who he was messaging to which he said no one, i again asked who it was and he said a man from work - i told him i saw it was from a woman called Joanna. I asked why he was acting like this and looking so guilty and lying - he said it’s because he knew how I’d react. I am well aware he works in a mixed team and have never taken any issue to him having work conversations with other women so this is completely gas lighting on his part. I told him this was bull shit and to bring up the messages, he refused. I asked again and he locked his screen then picked up his mobile - he has teams on his phone so I am assuming he was deleting the messages. I asked if that’s what he was doing and he dug his heels in and shouted that there is nothing going on. I told him to prove it by showing the messages, he repeatedly refused and told me no as he didn’t feel he should have to prove himself, and then wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

if that was me and the conversation was innocent, I’d have brought up the messages and demanded an apology. Everything about him screamed red flag during that situation.

ive left the house and am currently in my car in a park, shaking and feeling sick. There surely can’t be any other explanation for his reaction and refusal to prove himself innocent?

we’ve never been in a situation like this, I’ve not had any cause to doubt him in the past. Been together for 15years.

OP posts:
warninglivewithoutwarning · Today 13:21

If she’s a good friend she’ll want to show you the messages to alleviate your worry/his worry by proxy.

Chockachip · Today 13:22

I’d have warned him that if he deleted the messages the marriage was over. Then I’d have divorced him.

Too old for this bullshit. Get rid of this wanker.

Imonmyownhere · Today 13:22

Following your update, he shows you innocent messages (including any Whatsapp, Facebook, any socials) or you're done. Don't let him fob you off with "there are no other messages". If you sweep this under the carpet, it'll be on your mind forever and you won't be able to trust him.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · Today 13:23

The trickle truth tap has opened.

Christ, cheaters are SO predictable.

OldrNWisr · Today 13:24

He’s cheated, plain and simple whatever spin he tries to put on it. He has emotionally invested in another woman in a way which totally excludes you and he has lied about it repeatedly. If he hasn’t slept with her already, he 100% wanted to and it was only a matter of time. He chose her instead of you, over and over again, every time he engaged with her and kept it from you. Unless he starts telling the truth and accepting the extent of the damage he has done here, there is no way forward for you.

somewhereovertherainbow26 · Today 13:26

Chockachip · Today 13:22

I’d have warned him that if he deleted the messages the marriage was over. Then I’d have divorced him.

Too old for this bullshit. Get rid of this wanker.

Yes. We live and learn, and this is what I have learned and would do exactly this too.

Their marriage is already ruined, I can see this but unfortunately it is so much harder for the OP at this point. When you have had what you thought was a happy relationship and the person you are meant to be able to rely on and trust, your special person in this big scary world, when they turn out to be a filthy liar...

Well, it takes a while for the clear headed reality to set in that you can never trust them again. Your heart just doesn't want to believe it. I hope she gets there sooner rather than later, he is not worth a single moment of hesitation, or drama.

Chockachip · Today 13:27

CoffeeRevelsfan · Today 08:15

If the situation was the other way round I would be bending over backwards to show him it was innocent, and then I’d be really pissed off at being doubted and I would demand an apology. But I wouldn’t react so blatantly nervous and guilty when an innocent message pops up with just general office chatty stuff, and I certainly wouldn’t gaslight him and tell him I reacted that way as I new how he’d react!

My ex shagged a girl at work. This was his demeanour when I went in to his workplace for a family day. It was so awkward I knew something had gone on but was young and easily lied to.

I found out after we’d split that yes, they had an affair. Trust your gut. Nobody acts this way without a very damning reason.

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:28

I am just going to say something and then, according to many MN posters, I shall 'get to fuck back to the XIX century where I belong'. There can be no friendship between hetero males and females. Even if there is disparity in age - said not by myself, but by Kobo Abe - Woman in the Dunes. He was so sure of that premise that in his novel he described the situation where a man was drawn to sleep with an old (really old) ugly woman such is the strength of our instincts. Basically, very much like with transgenderism or other artificial constructs (yes, inter-sex friendship is an artificial construct), it is an attempt to cheat biology. And we all know what happens when humans try to fuck with biology. It does not end well.

Anyway, ladies, there can be no friendship between men and women.

Off I go back to the century I belong in.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:30

SoggyTissue · Today 13:16

So he has been discussing your vagina with his co-worker?! I would get rid unless he produces the chats. Which he can.

He can’t do that unless he’s admin himself - otherwise he’d have to go through work and it’s only possible if the company have enabled retention protocols. Once the restore banner disappears the messages have gone. IT admin can restore them but they can’t be put back into the chat - they’re stored as PDF or similar for record keeping or investigations.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:32

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:28

I am just going to say something and then, according to many MN posters, I shall 'get to fuck back to the XIX century where I belong'. There can be no friendship between hetero males and females. Even if there is disparity in age - said not by myself, but by Kobo Abe - Woman in the Dunes. He was so sure of that premise that in his novel he described the situation where a man was drawn to sleep with an old (really old) ugly woman such is the strength of our instincts. Basically, very much like with transgenderism or other artificial constructs (yes, inter-sex friendship is an artificial construct), it is an attempt to cheat biology. And we all know what happens when humans try to fuck with biology. It does not end well.

Anyway, ladies, there can be no friendship between men and women.

Off I go back to the century I belong in.

Just before you go. My best friend is a man. The friendship is forty something years old. Not once has it ever crossed over into anything else, or even a suggestion of it. We’re both happily married.

B9waiting · Today 13:36

Hotandbothered222 · Today 13:02

I wouldn’t believe him. This is the script - admitting to the least they think they can get away with, but it’s the tip of the iceberg and if you dig deep there’s probably more. What an arsehole.

This absolutely - start of the script. Sorry Op.

Callmejudith · Today 13:36

I'd be surprised if he has actually deleted the messages, I don't believe you can delete messages from other people - only recent messages you've sent yourself.

It's more likely that he's hidden the chat thread, in which case he can get it back in minutes

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:37

user1464187087 · Today 12:02

Surely not for a private matter such as this one.

IT can retrieve the messages if the company have enabled retention policies but they can’t be restored to the chat - they would be stored as PDF files or whatever. The question is whether he would or could ask because it lays bare what he’s been up to in work time and it still wouldn’t enable OP to see the messages.

NotAtMyAge · Today 13:40

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:28

I am just going to say something and then, according to many MN posters, I shall 'get to fuck back to the XIX century where I belong'. There can be no friendship between hetero males and females. Even if there is disparity in age - said not by myself, but by Kobo Abe - Woman in the Dunes. He was so sure of that premise that in his novel he described the situation where a man was drawn to sleep with an old (really old) ugly woman such is the strength of our instincts. Basically, very much like with transgenderism or other artificial constructs (yes, inter-sex friendship is an artificial construct), it is an attempt to cheat biology. And we all know what happens when humans try to fuck with biology. It does not end well.

Anyway, ladies, there can be no friendship between men and women.

Off I go back to the century I belong in.

Well, as someone who was born just after WW2 and therefore closer to the C19th than almost all posters on MN, I couldn't disagree more. I have had decades-long friendships with men from university onwards. Not many, because being married for 58 years means I only have a small circle of close friends, but two in particular, whom I trust implicitly. I would still never dream of sharing intimate medical details about my DH with them or anyone else outside the family, male or female, as only he has the right to share them if he wants to.

Callmejudith · Today 13:41

and if he does have the delete function - it only deletes it for him - she would still have access to the chat

Error404FucksNotFound · Today 13:43

It doesnt matter whst he says now that hes had time to come up with something.

He absolutely shit himself. That is the most honest hes going to be about it.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:46

Callmejudith · Today 13:36

I'd be surprised if he has actually deleted the messages, I don't believe you can delete messages from other people - only recent messages you've sent yourself.

It's more likely that he's hidden the chat thread, in which case he can get it back in minutes

Edited

You’re absolutely right. Unless he’s a team owner and the message was posted inside a public or private channel rather than direct chat, messages from other users can’t be deleted - only the sender can do that. He can delete his own, and will undoubtedly have done that but ‘Joanna’s’ will still be visible unless he’s asked her to delete them herself. I think when you delete a message there is text onscreen to indicate that it’s been deleted too.

99bottlesofkombucha · Today 13:46

‘If she’s such a good friend and just a friend she will happily supply the conversations to save your marriage, it can’t be that awkward for her since apparently it’s all about my vagina.’

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:49

Callmejudith · Today 13:41

and if he does have the delete function - it only deletes it for him - she would still have access to the chat

Ours has an option to delete for everyone - I suppose it depends on whether DH’s company has enable the function. It can only be applied to your own messages though, and the message is replaced with text to say that the original message has been deleted.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · Today 13:49

I wonder if they are just not quite ready to go off into the sunset together. If you were me , I think my mind is already made he can never be trusted again .

F63C · Today 13:50

CoffeeRevelsfan · Today 12:27

He’s sent me a message. He’s now saying that the became ‘pally’ a few months ago and she became his confidant. They have discussed personal stuff such as family members who have passed away this year and my gynae surgery. Apparently it’s all innocent and they are just friends.

why would he feel concealing a new found friendship at work with a female colleague who he’s now described as his confidant is acceptable?

And...so it starts. The gradual drip feeding reveal. Information that he will only let out as the need arises in order to get you back in your place.

Fucks sake. Why are they all so bloody predictable?

He needs to get those deleted messages back to prove his position but he won't.

What a piss taker. I wonder why he mentioned the detail he mentioned? Just in case you speak to her presumably. She will have been primed to say whatever he wants her to now unfortunately.

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:51

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:32

Just before you go. My best friend is a man. The friendship is forty something years old. Not once has it ever crossed over into anything else, or even a suggestion of it. We’re both happily married.

You don't have the right to speak on behalf of that man. You don't know what is happening in his mind - he may be pining after you all these years. As my gran said 'Alte Liebe roestet nie'. Could be like an obedient Labrador - you put the food in front of them, you say 'no, not now'. Does not mean he is not salivating and has eaten it all in his mind twenty times over.

As I said, you can't fuck with biology.

OMGDidYouSayThat · Today 13:52

Do you really want to be with someone who discusses your private issues with a female work colleague, it was likely discussed in one of 2 ways, either genuinely out of concern (doubtful and still wrong) or in a way which promotes the wrong kind of sympathy such as my wife's had surgery down there so i'm not getting any at the moment...which means...

Bogstandardname · Today 13:53

What .horrible little toad of a man. Just this.

ThreadGuardDog · Today 13:53

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:51

You don't have the right to speak on behalf of that man. You don't know what is happening in his mind - he may be pining after you all these years. As my gran said 'Alte Liebe roestet nie'. Could be like an obedient Labrador - you put the food in front of them, you say 'no, not now'. Does not mean he is not salivating and has eaten it all in his mind twenty times over.

As I said, you can't fuck with biology.

OK then. I suppose we were pining for each other all the time - even when we met, courted and married our respective partners because the friendship pre-dates both marriages, we attended each others’ weddings and I’ve been widowed and remarried in that time 🤣

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