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I think I’ve just caught my husband cheating

658 replies

CoffeeRevelsfan · 14/09/2026 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:
GiveOverRover · 16/09/2026 14:32

CoffeeRevelsfan · 16/09/2026 14:00

We talked, he told me again there is nothing underhand going on and he doesn’t know why he reacted the way he did, he panicked and it was a knee jerk reaction. He did eventually load up teams on his laptop after me repeatedly asking him too and sure enough the chat thread with her was gone. I clicked in the search bar and hers was the first name to appear and she just happened to be on line, so I messaged her whilst he watching, I pretended to be him and sent a chatty “hey, how are you”. “You’re working late” her replies were very inconspicuous and nothing note worthy. I then pushed a bit further and said “I’d caused a bit of an issue for us” and explained what had happened as if it was him telling the story. She replied with “oh why would you say it was Neil”. And “I would be really unhappy if (her DH) deleted the chat”.

so, I don’t think there is anything affair wise going on, but I do think he’s formed a relationship/friendship that he knows I would be uncomfortable with due to topics discussed. I cannot get my head around his reaction and why he wouldn’t have mentioned her in all those months. Friendships are absolutely fine. Secret friendships where you are close enough to confide in each other, and keep deliberately concealed from your wife are not fine.

He's tipped her off OP.

Bogstandardname · 16/09/2026 14:34

justthecat · 16/09/2026 14:26

I agree he’s spoke to her and warned her you know something is going on

You are being played. I'm so sorry.

bigboykitty · 16/09/2026 14:39

Yes, it's total bullshit. He's had a close shave and will be more careful from now on OP. Up to you if you're willing to accept this nonsense. You saw his face. You know what's going on.

Releasemeplease · 16/09/2026 14:41

Honestly OP surely you must be suspicious that he actually allowed you to go on Teams? That is so obviously a set up, especially after the way he was desperate for her not to know about your suspicions regarding their relationship.

He and her are, obviously very close, if he is discussing your medical issues with her. He has told you he has done that. So why, given their closeness, do you not see they have set you up?

If you fall for this you are giving them the green light to carry on as they please. Especially as he is away for the next few weeks.
Please dont fall for their mind games.

OriginalUsername2 · 16/09/2026 14:43

I have to say I agree with the above posters. She was primed for this. He comfortably sat there letting you pretend to be him? Hmm..

DinoDoughnut81 · 16/09/2026 14:46

Just saying the same as everyone else. Good chance she's been warned and primed for this.
It seems like a set up to be honest, look I'll prove it to you, in this controlled fashion. It's gone too smoothly. Suspiciously smoothly.

LoveItaly · 16/09/2026 14:49

OriginalUsername2 · 16/09/2026 14:43

I have to say I agree with the above posters. She was primed for this. He comfortably sat there letting you pretend to be him? Hmm..

She may also have recognised his messaging style was not quite the same, so was suspicious it wasn’t him.

Twilight7777 · 16/09/2026 14:53

This is literally pulled from the script, pre warn affair partner and get her to make it look innocent. Please don’t fall for this.

GiveOverRover · 16/09/2026 14:53

What's happened in the space between jumping out of his skin, and rushing to delete all the messages with a person, and calmly letting you log in and contact them yourself?

It's such a huge leap, and I know it must be tempting to believe him but it will be of temporary comfort. You need to believe what you saw with your own eyes, not his version of it. Try to hold on to your reality OP.

Imdunfer · 16/09/2026 15:01

estrangedparents · 16/09/2026 14:32

Yep, and meanwhile half of mumsnet has got the guy hung, drawn and quartered. He panicked because he knew what your reaction was likely to be. People need space and a certain degree of freedom within relationships. If he abuses that trust then you have a reason to complain. In the meantime, be happy that he has friends (whether male or female) that he feels he can confide in.

Be happy? About sharing your wife's very intimate medical history? To someone who she doesn't know?

Theonethatlurks · 16/09/2026 15:07

CoffeeRevelsfan · 16/09/2026 14:00

We talked, he told me again there is nothing underhand going on and he doesn’t know why he reacted the way he did, he panicked and it was a knee jerk reaction. He did eventually load up teams on his laptop after me repeatedly asking him too and sure enough the chat thread with her was gone. I clicked in the search bar and hers was the first name to appear and she just happened to be on line, so I messaged her whilst he watching, I pretended to be him and sent a chatty “hey, how are you”. “You’re working late” her replies were very inconspicuous and nothing note worthy. I then pushed a bit further and said “I’d caused a bit of an issue for us” and explained what had happened as if it was him telling the story. She replied with “oh why would you say it was Neil”. And “I would be really unhappy if (her DH) deleted the chat”.

so, I don’t think there is anything affair wise going on, but I do think he’s formed a relationship/friendship that he knows I would be uncomfortable with due to topics discussed. I cannot get my head around his reaction and why he wouldn’t have mentioned her in all those months. Friendships are absolutely fine. Secret friendships where you are close enough to confide in each other, and keep deliberately concealed from your wife are not fine.

Sounds like she was told what to say…. Why was there no chat history at all, he wants you to believe he hasn’t spoken to her all day? It would be more convincing if there was some convo from today still there. Honestly, sorry to say, they are both playing you.

PyschodelicSoup · 16/09/2026 15:13

estrangedparents · 16/09/2026 14:32

Yep, and meanwhile half of mumsnet has got the guy hung, drawn and quartered. He panicked because he knew what your reaction was likely to be. People need space and a certain degree of freedom within relationships. If he abuses that trust then you have a reason to complain. In the meantime, be happy that he has friends (whether male or female) that he feels he can confide in.

Absolutely this. OP I really feel your last update and her response should be taken at face value. Maybe he was enjoying a closeness that he rightly felt a bit guilty about but that doesn't make him a cheater or a bad person. It makes him human.

outerspacepotato · 16/09/2026 15:13

Better put your boots on because you're in the middle of a lot of bullshit.

DinoDoughnut81 · 16/09/2026 15:14

Theonethatlurks · 16/09/2026 15:07

Sounds like she was told what to say…. Why was there no chat history at all, he wants you to believe he hasn’t spoken to her all day? It would be more convincing if there was some convo from today still there. Honestly, sorry to say, they are both playing you.

Definitely. If the messages initially were so flirty that he immediately deleted them all, then he would feel very anxious that Joanna might say something inappropriate in another conversation she thought was just to him.
He could have done this at the time, messaged her and shown replies, now Joannas replying in this cool calm manner. It's fine now but panic stations previously. She's been tipped off!
I feel more convinced after the update that something dodgy is going on not less.

ChilliBassy · 16/09/2026 15:14

CoffeeRevelsfan · 16/09/2026 14:00

We talked, he told me again there is nothing underhand going on and he doesn’t know why he reacted the way he did, he panicked and it was a knee jerk reaction. He did eventually load up teams on his laptop after me repeatedly asking him too and sure enough the chat thread with her was gone. I clicked in the search bar and hers was the first name to appear and she just happened to be on line, so I messaged her whilst he watching, I pretended to be him and sent a chatty “hey, how are you”. “You’re working late” her replies were very inconspicuous and nothing note worthy. I then pushed a bit further and said “I’d caused a bit of an issue for us” and explained what had happened as if it was him telling the story. She replied with “oh why would you say it was Neil”. And “I would be really unhappy if (her DH) deleted the chat”.

so, I don’t think there is anything affair wise going on, but I do think he’s formed a relationship/friendship that he knows I would be uncomfortable with due to topics discussed. I cannot get my head around his reaction and why he wouldn’t have mentioned her in all those months. Friendships are absolutely fine. Secret friendships where you are close enough to confide in each other, and keep deliberately concealed from your wife are not fine.

This might sound a bit far fetched, but he might have warned her about you checking teams and they've staged it for her to respond that way. Something doesn't add up, because he would not have been able to delete her Teams messages; only the sender can delete their messages. Therefore, her saying "My husband wouldn't be happy" sounds like a play, because she did indeed delete her own messages.

I think I'd want to find out who her husband is and send him a message on the side, advising him to check all of her devices and let you know if he finds anything.

LiuBei · 16/09/2026 15:21

Imdonehere · 16/09/2026 13:34

If he had different ideas of what's okay, why would he lie immediately and say it was a message from a man? Then go on his phone ito delete everything while op stood there asking to see?

If all was good, he would have said it's a message from Joanna. We're just having a laugh about whatever.

Stop minimising.

Have you ever met a tedious person who makes a big deal out of everything?

If someone has a habit of making a big deal out of everything, they teach those around them to be less than maximally transparent.

I'm not saying that's what OP does. But I'm also not assuming she definitely doesn't.

Notquitethetruth · 16/09/2026 15:27

Thanks for your reply. How did you feel after that @CoffeeRevelsfan ? Hopefully you talked some more and you are coming to a decision on how you want to go forward and what your expectations are now.
Everyone here will have an opinion and interpretation but it's how you feel and think is what matters. Perhaps some individual and couples counselling where clear boundaries can be established. This would be useful whatever the outcome.

user427654 · 16/09/2026 15:47

LiuBei · 16/09/2026 15:21

Have you ever met a tedious person who makes a big deal out of everything?

If someone has a habit of making a big deal out of everything, they teach those around them to be less than maximally transparent.

I'm not saying that's what OP does. But I'm also not assuming she definitely doesn't.

Ooh, a little victim blaming. Excellent. Whether he's cheating or not, the assumption must be that you caused it, OP.

FFS

Horses7 · 16/09/2026 16:01

Sorry OP but like many others I think Joanna has had a tip off and so knew exactly what to say when your H (EVENTUALLY) has let you message her.
He now knows to hide things more carefully from you so be extra alert.
On the other hand it may have scared the hell out of him and bring him to his senses …. sadly I doubt it - he will just get craftier.
He must stop all messages and phone calls with her unless absolutely necessary for work and you need to have access to his phone etc at all times (yes it’s crossing his boundaries but hey he’s behaving VERY suspiciously).
ps I bet Joanna aka Neil isn’t the woman awaiting retirement!!

myheadsjustmush · 16/09/2026 16:16

Sorry @CoffeeRevelsfan but he's playing you like a fiddle.

It has took him until now to let you access teams. If it was as innocent as he makes out, he would have shown you the teams messages straight away to put your mind at rest, and to prove his innocence.

But no - time has passed, he has been to work, spoken to "Joanna" and told her what has happened, and, I by the sounds of it, discussed what he planned to do with regards to letting you access teams, and what she should say in response.

It all seems so rehearsed - and I for one don't believe any of it.

Lots of people on here will give you their opinions and advice, but it is your marriage, so you must do what is the best for you in the long run.

SpidersAreShitheads · 16/09/2026 16:17

OK OP, here’s what I would do.

Ask if you can talk to her on Teams again.

Ask her - while pretending to be your DH - if she can send over a screenshot of their conversation to prove that it’s entirely innocent.

Because there’s no reason for her to have deleted it.

If she supplies it right away and it’s innocent, then great.

If she stalls or says she’s deleted it too, then you know they’re lying and in cahoots.

We all think it’s the latter, but this is how you prove it one way or the other.

CoffeeRevelsfan · 16/09/2026 16:20

LiuBei · 16/09/2026 15:21

Have you ever met a tedious person who makes a big deal out of everything?

If someone has a habit of making a big deal out of everything, they teach those around them to be less than maximally transparent.

I'm not saying that's what OP does. But I'm also not assuming she definitely doesn't.

I definitely do not make a big deal out of everything- I am quite a calm, rational person. Nothing about his initial reaction was calm and reasonable. It made me anxious and suspicious

OP posts:
AI41 · 16/09/2026 16:24

SpidersAreShitheads · 16/09/2026 16:17

OK OP, here’s what I would do.

Ask if you can talk to her on Teams again.

Ask her - while pretending to be your DH - if she can send over a screenshot of their conversation to prove that it’s entirely innocent.

Because there’s no reason for her to have deleted it.

If she supplies it right away and it’s innocent, then great.

If she stalls or says she’s deleted it too, then you know they’re lying and in cahoots.

We all think it’s the latter, but this is how you prove it one way or the other.

This is an excellent idea.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 16/09/2026 16:25

LiuBei · 16/09/2026 15:21

Have you ever met a tedious person who makes a big deal out of everything?

If someone has a habit of making a big deal out of everything, they teach those around them to be less than maximally transparent.

I'm not saying that's what OP does. But I'm also not assuming she definitely doesn't.

What a stupid shit comment

GeorginaWilby · 16/09/2026 16:25

OP, I'd leave my husband of 40+ year if he treated me, and my business associates as you have done. I can't imagine him demanding my phone or laptop to search for potential affairs. I'd have felt this way decades ago as well, so it's not just my old age talking. As far as I'm concerned the trust is gone, and I'd be just a closely monitored & controlled prisoner.