Mom Realizes Husband’s Lies Run Deep After Their Child Accidentally Exposes His Secret Absence

A spouse is supposed to be the person we trust most in the world. That’s why it’s so jarring to find out that your partner possibly has been lying to you and refuses to admit what they’ve done. One woman had to find out about her husband’s possible infidelity in a very roundabout way.

First, she confronted him about leaving their small children alone while she was out working. When he kept deflecting and wouldn’t give her a straight answer, she went looking for evidence. And what she found wasn’t pretty: it broke her trust in him, perhaps forever, and made her question their seven-year-long marriage.

To know more about why spouses gaslight their partners and whether there’s any chance of reconciliation after an affair, Bored Panda reached out to Idit Sharoni, LMFT. Idit Sharoni is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, affair recovery expert, and the owner of Relationship Experts, a private practice based in Miami, Florida.

With over 15 years of experience, she has helped countless couples navigate the aftermath of infidelity, rebuild trust, and create stronger relationships. Idit is the creator of the It’s Okay to Stay infidelity recovery program and host of the Relationships Uncomplicated podcast, where she shares expert insights on healing after betrayal.

Her work has helped thousands of couples move from crisis to connection, and she kindly agreed to lend her expertise to us. Read her expert insights about this story below!

More info: Relationship Experts | It’s Okay to Stay® | Podcast Relationships Uncomplicated | YouTube | Instagram

One family’s happiness was shattered when the wife started to suspect her husband was cheating

Woman in yellow sweater looking stressed, reflecting on children's well-being.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The story began when the wife found out that the husband left their 5-year-old and 9-month-old alone at home

Text discusses husband's denial of leaving small children home alone; confusion over his refusal to explain.

Text about husband denying leaving children alone, wife angry about his lie.

Text about a wife attending a non-profit event, husband home with kids, mid-day lack of response.

Woman in a coat talking on the phone, looking concerned, related to a discussion about leaving children home alone.

Image credits: semenay erdoğan / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text conversation about husband denying leaving children home alone, revealing they were watching TV unsupervised.

Text discussing husband's denial of leaving children home alone and wife's confusion about the situation.

Text message exchange about husband denying leaving children home alone. Wife expresses confusion and worry.

Text exchange discussing husband denying leaving children home alone. Wife questions his whereabouts during her absence.

A couple having an intense conversation on a couch, focused on husband denying leaving small children home alone.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text questioning husband denying leaving children alone at home.

Text message pleading husband to admit truth about leaving children home alone.

Text screenshot about husband denying leaving small children home alone, wife upset and considering asking neighbors for footage.

Woman sitting by bed, covering face in distress, related to husband lying about small children.

Image credits: Meg Aghamyan / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text about husband denying leaving children alone, wife feeling upset and misunderstood.

Image credits: Suitable-Mission7422

Affair recovery expert Idit Sharoni says that gaslighting adds yet another painful layer to betrayal

Woman sitting on bed, looking distressed, holding a phone, relating to husband denies leaving children home alone.

Image credits: Valeriia Miller / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Idit Sharoni, LMFT, tells Bored Panda that many cheaters gaslight their partners. “But it’s not always intentional or long-lasting,” she adds. “In my 15 years as a couples therapist and affair recovery expert, I’ve seen many cases where an unfaithful partner’s first reaction is to deny, deflect, or downplay the situation.”

“Sometimes, it’s a knee-jerk response to getting caught. Other times, it becomes an ongoing pattern of deception that erodes trust even further. Gaslighting, at its core, is denying reality in the face of clear evidence,” the affair recovery expert explains. This might include insisting that the affair never happened, even when the spouse has evidence.

“Over time, continuous gaslighting has a crazy-making effect,” Idit Sharoni says. “It can make the hurt partner doubt their own perceptions, memory, and even sanity. This level of psychological manipulation can leave deep emotional wounds, making healing and rebuilding trust even more difficult.”

“While not every unfaithful partner engages in long-term gaslighting, when it does persist, it adds another painful layer to the betrayal—one that requires careful, intentional work to undo,” the affair recovery expert notes.

If the cheating spouse refuses to admit guilt, the road to healing may be long and difficult

Couple arguing on a couch, husband denies leaving children home alone, wife confused.

Image credits:  Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The wife in this story is set on getting a confession out of her husband. Without it, she probably wouldn’t get closure. Idit Sharoni explains that without closure, moving forward is nearly impossible. “[It] can feel like trying to build a house on shaky ground,” she says.

“In my roadmap to healing from infidelity, the first crucial step is what I call a Proper Ending—which means fully and completely closing the door on the affair (or any other form of betrayal).”

“But here’s the key: stopping isn’t enough. If there was an affair, that means there was a relationship, and simply ‘demoting’ it to a friendship isn’t real closure. True closure means cutting ties on all levels so that the betrayed partner can begin to rebuild trust,” Sharoni emphasizes. “Once a Proper Ending is in place, healing can truly begin.”

When the partner who’s been cheating doesn’t admit their guilt, it’s much harder to reach reconciliation. “Research shows that genuine forgiveness is most achievable when the unfaithful partner expresses real remorse, takes responsibility, and openly acknowledges the harm they’ve caused,” Sharoni says.

“That’s why, in our It’s Okay to Stay program, we guide couples through this process early on—it sets the foundation for real healing. At the end of the day, while every couple’s journey is unique, one thing is clear: closure, remorse, and accountability make the path forward much smoother,” she explains.

Many people in the comments guessed that it was an affair even before the update

Reddit comments about a husband denying leaving kids home alone, questioning behavior.

Reddit comments discussing trust issues in a marriage, mentioning leaving small children home alone.

Reddit comments discussing a husband's denial about leaving kids home alone and trust issues with the wife.

Reddit discussion about husband denying leaving children alone; includes mentions of possible substance issues.

Reddit comments about husband lying, discussing potential affair or deceit.

Online comments discussing a husband denying leaving small children home alone.

Reddit comments discuss a husband's denial of leaving children home alone, suggesting checking Ring footage for verification.

Reddit discussion about husband denying leaving small children home alone; advice on camera footage and polygraph.

Reddit discussion about a husband denying leaving young children home alone, mentioning gaslighting concerns.

Text exchange about husband denying leaving children alone, wife seeks proof of his lying.

Text conversation about husband denying leaving children home alone.

Reddit thread discussing gaslighting, with users expressing disbelief and personal experiences.

Reddit comments discussing husband denying leaving children alone, advice given to calm the situation.

Reddit post discussion about husband denying leaving children home alone, wife confused by his behavior.

Reddit discussion about a husband denying leaving small children home alone.

Reddit conversation about husband denying accusations of leaving children alone and lying to his wife.

Reddit comments discussing whether a husband was in the house with children.

A few days later, the wife accessed the doorbell camera footage from her neighbor and saw another woman arriving at their house

Text about a husband denying leaving small children alone, with wife questioning his honesty.

Text discussing arguments, frustration, and lack of communication about leaving small children home alone.

Man and woman having a serious conversation at home, discussing reasons for allegedly leaving children alone.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text message discussing a husband denying leaving children home alone, wife questioning his transparency.

Text message discussing a husband's denial about leaving small children alone and the wife's frustration.

Security camera on a wall, possibly used to deny leaving small children home alone.

Image credits: James Yarema / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text from a story involving a husband denying leaving kids alone, driving anger in a spouse.

Text conversation about husband denying leaving small children home alone, mentioning a neighbor and missing footage.

Text screenshot about a husband denying he left small children home alone, mentioning waiting for footage.

Hands holding a smartphone, possibly texting about being left home alone.

Image credits: Chris J. Davis / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text discussing possibilities of accessing a gated pool area behind a house.

Text discussing a gated pool, wood fence, privacy landscaping, and missing keys in the context of a family situation.

Husband denies situation, text about being in a remote area away from the house and not seeing the kids if something happened.

Text excerpt discussing husband's denial of leaving small children home alone.

Text discussing a husband denying leaving children home alone, expressing disbelief in his honesty.

Text about husband denying leaving children alone, wife confused by lies. Feelings of distress and tension described.

Woman with a stressed expression, hands on head, related to the keyword "husband denies leaving children home alone.

Image credits: Daniel Martinez / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text about husband denying leaving children home alone. Wife feels confused and frustrated by his behavior.

Text discussing denial of events, with reference to an Oscar-worthy performance and lack of acknowledgment.

Text of a frustrated person seeking honesty about events involving home alone children and deceit.

Text message expressing frustration over husband denying leaving kids home alone, questioning honesty.

Image credits: Suitable-Mission7422

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