Mugging Unveils Long-Hidden Secret: “He Has Been Cheating On Me For Over 2 Years”

Everyone deserves some degree of privacy, even in a committed relationship.

While Reddit user EcstaticGarden9961 understands this, he decided to breach that of his boyfriend’s.

In a post on r/TwoHotTakes, the man explained that he wouldn’t have done this normally, but lately, he had this hunch that something was off. So, when an unusual opportunity presented itself and he gained access to his partner’s messages, he just couldn’t resist the temptation.

Now, he’s left grappling with the moral implications of his actions and the painful truth he uncovered.

These men were living together, but it was as if they were having two different relationships

Two men sitting close together, one in a tan shirt, highlighting relationship and trust themes.

Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels (not the actual photo)

One stayed at home and thought they were exclusive while the other traveled around the world and partied with others

Text recounts a man discovering his boyfriend's infidelity after checking his phone.

Text reveals details of a man's trip to Belgium where he lost his wallet and phone.

Text screenshot describing a man's response after discovering he's been cheated on through his boyfriend's phone.

Text message revealing a boyfriend's infidelity discovered on a phone.

Man looking upset while sitting on a couch, holding a phone, symbolizing discovery of cheating.

Image credits: Alena Darmel / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text reveals infidelity; man discovers boyfriend's 2-year affair through messages.

Text reveals betrayal in a long-term relationship due to infidelity.

Text revealing a man discovering his boyfriend's infidelity after checking his phone, discussing betrayal and self-doubt.

Image credits: EcstaticGarden9961

Image credits: Guillaume Issaly / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The mere fact that you want to go through your partner’s phone might already be a sign that something’s wrong

“[Digital snooping] says that you don’t trust that what your partner tells and shows you is who they really are,” psychologist Ryan Howes explains, “and that their true self is [instead] reflected in their communication and searches on their phone.”

Such secret surveillance can perpetuate even more secretive behavior in the relationship. But many still do.

According to a survey conducted by Secure Data Recovery, 66% of Americans admit to snooping through their current or ex- partner’s device.

And while about half (53%) report finding something incriminating or concerning, just a little over a third report not feeling any regret or remorse afterward.

Yes, “it could mean that you have tangible evidence that your partner is being deceptive,” Howes says. “Maybe there have been concrete examples of this from the past, or maybe you know they have a history of infidelity … You’re searching because you want confirmation that they are being deceitful or that they aren’t.”

However, it’s also possible our partner hasn’t done anything and we’re just paranoid.

“You bring an irrational fear into the relationship that they aren’t really honest and/or committed to you,” Howes adds. “If you don’t have any evidence to suggest otherwise, and you search anyway, you’re probably the one intruding on their privacy and doing damage to the relationship. Your fears may be more based in your self-esteem, your capacity for intimacy, or your history of being deceived in past relationships.”

Rather, we should think about why we’re feeling suspicious of our partner in the first place. Do they have a history of lying and cheating? Have they given you a reason to think they might be hiding something from you?

If so, we should instead try to bring up our worries in a mature, non-confrontational way. However, relationships can be messy, and there’s no one magical solution for every couple.

As his story went viral, the man joined the discussion in its comment section

Conversation on phone reveals cheating partner after three-year relationship.

Man discovers infidelity after checking partner's phone, leading to confusion and uncertainty.

Text comment discussing advice after discovering a cheating boyfriend.

Reddit comment advises man to leave cheating boyfriend after finding evidence on his phone.

Text response advising a man to leave his cheating boyfriend and move on.

Reddit comment discussing relationship age difference and trust issues.

Text advice discussing relationship issues and cheating, suggesting strategic decisions and self-worth.

Comment about ending a relationship after finding out about cheating through phone snooping.

Comment about relationship red flag in context of infidelity.

Screenshot of a comment advising on gathering evidence of a partner's cheating from an iPad to prevent gaslighting.

Comment discussing age difference and advice for someone who found proof of cheating in a relationship.

r/relationship_advice post about cheating boyfriend on a phone.

Discussion about planning an exit after finding out partner's infidelity through phone.

Text from social media discussing relationship and phone privacy issues, highlighting cheating and trust concerns.

Comment questioning if he was mugged or had items stolen by a partner, hinting at infidelity.

Text discussing a man's discovery of his partner cheating for two years, with advice to get tested.

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