Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Wife Keeps Getting Horrible Messages From Husband That He Says He Didn’t Send, Finally Figures Out The Truth
Woman with distressed expression holding head, reflecting suspicion and fear related to psychopath and horrifying texts.

Wife Keeps Getting Horrible Messages From Husband That He Says He Didn’t Send, Finally Figures Out The Truth

33

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes, it’s hard to spot a toxic relationship when your partner is really good at hiding their true colors. They may come across as charming and completely normal to everyone around them.

But the power of the internet shouldn’t be underestimated when it comes to uncovering messy relationship dynamics.

A woman recently shared online that she was receiving cruel and deeply personal text messages from her husband’s phone number. But the strange part was that her husband insisted he had nothing to do with them.

After getting some input from netizens and digging deeper, the woman eventually discovered a huge secret along with signs of emotional manipulation.

RELATED:

    A woman started receiving rude text messages from her husband’s phone number

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

    But her husband kept denying that he was sending the messages

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits:

    Image credits: Yan Krukau / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Emotional manipulation and gaslighting are some of the biggest red flags

    This story is quite layered, but it has all the makings of psychological manipulation — the kind that slowly makes the target question their own reality.

    It wasn’t just about infidelity. It was the mind games that went on for months — played by both the woman’s husband and his coworker.

    Gaslighting is actually “a highly calculating form of manipulation — which involves the destabilization — of one individual by another over a protracted period of time,” says Monica Vermani, a Canada-based clinical psychologist and author.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Most commonly, gaslighting — also referred to as coercive control — is carried out by someone in a position of trust who is in close contact with the target. It is a complex and usually deliberate means of intentionally controlling an individual, which is carried out over an extended period of time,” she adds.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    When someone gaslights another person, they slowly mess with their sense of reality by denying things and twisting facts. They act like the other person is overreacting until the victim starts wondering if their judgment is off.

    It also conveniently lets the perpetrator dodge blame and avoid taking responsibility for what they’ve done.

    Whether the husband in this case was deliberately gaslighting her or simply lying to cover up an affair is still open to interpretation.

    But the woman was left confused and in emotional distress.

    Such people often “intentionally lie and deceive to confuse their target, or deny their own lies or their target’s truth, even in the face of evidence to the contrary,” Vermani explains.

    Image credits: Italo Melo / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Certain personality traits can make it difficult to recognize a toxic relationship

    While we can’t confirm the wife’s claim that her husband is a “psychopath,” we did some digging on certain behaviors linked to it.

    A study exploring psychopathic traits in romantic relationships found that individuals who scored higher on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised were more likely to engage in manipulative behavior, show limited empathy, and display superficial charm.

    These traits were also linked with frequent dishonesty and difficulties maintaining healthy, long-term partnerships.

    Such people can be surprisingly good at appearing likable, which is why they’re often hard to spot, say experts.

    Emotional manipulation by someone close to you can significantly affect your emotional and psychological well-being

    A recent survey found that nearly half of all women (48.4%) and men (48.8%) in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

    Meanwhile, infidelity, as awful as it can be, also remains surprisingly common. Roughly 71% of people in the US admitted they have cheated on a partner. For some, any bonding that makes your partner unhappy can be considered cheating, including emotional affairs.

    A survey also revealed that 31% of affairs happen with coworkers.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Another survey found that nearly 88% of divorced couples said infidelity played a major role in the end of their relationship.

    Studies also show that almost 45% of adults who experienced a partner’s infidelity showed symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    One of the best ways to deal with manipulation and infidelity is seeking counseling or therapy. Professional help goes a long way, especially if the situation affects you for a long time.

    If you’re not sure that you want to break up with your partner after all this, experts say couples counseling is the way to go.

    The woman took some people’s advice and suggestions

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Many people came forward to support her and help her figure out the situation

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    The woman came back with an update, saying she followed some people’s advice

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits:

    ADVERTISEMENT

    In another update, she spilled a huge secret she uncovered about her husband

    Image credits: Greta Hoffman / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: kaboompics / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits:

    Several people expressed outrage against the husband

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook

    Explore more of these tags

    Ridhima Shukla

    Ridhima Shukla

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Read less »
    Ridhima Shukla

    Ridhima Shukla

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

    Read less »

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Indrė Lukošiūtė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual editor at Bored Panda, I'm determined to find the most interesting and the best quality images for each post that I do. On my free time I like to unwind by doing some yoga, watching all kinds of movies/tv shows, playing video and board games or just simply hanging out with my cat

    What do you think ?
    Tyranamar Suess
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was obvious it was probably an affair partner from the beginning. The fact that he would continue the affair while his affair partner was tormenting his wife is extra disgusting. He clearly made his choice about whose feelings were more important. What. A POS.

    jannettebettie
    Community Member
    1 hour ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I’m making $23000 to $29000 a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. First month i received $24758 just working on the laptop for 3 hours per day. This is what I do………..........................… W­W­­W.L­I­V­E­­­J­O­­B­1.C­­O­M

    Load More Replies...
    LB
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought the burner phone comment (get a new number and only give it to him) was smart

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My spidey senses were tingling that it was due to him having an affair. I am glad she finally saw him for what he is and has divorced him. She needs a restraining order on both of them.

    Load More Comments
    Tyranamar Suess
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was obvious it was probably an affair partner from the beginning. The fact that he would continue the affair while his affair partner was tormenting his wife is extra disgusting. He clearly made his choice about whose feelings were more important. What. A POS.

    jannettebettie
    Community Member
    1 hour ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I’m making $23000 to $29000 a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. First month i received $24758 just working on the laptop for 3 hours per day. This is what I do………..........................… W­W­­W.L­I­V­E­­­J­O­­B­1.C­­O­M

    Load More Replies...
    LB
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought the burner phone comment (get a new number and only give it to him) was smart

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My spidey senses were tingling that it was due to him having an affair. I am glad she finally saw him for what he is and has divorced him. She needs a restraining order on both of them.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    Go to:
    Back to Top
    Homepage
    Trending
    ADVERTISEMENT