Anger as Woman Discovers Husband's Affair Through Phone Call From Lawyer

Discovering your partner is having an affair is heartbreaking, especially when the news comes from a complete stranger.

A wife took to Reddit's Off My Chest forum on Wednesday to share her sorrow, after finding out her husband was sleeping with another woman.

The devastating message was delivered over the phone by a solicitor—who had the receipts to prove it. She was representing the husband of her man's mistress, who had hired a private investigator to gather evidence of her infidelity.

Redditors were touched by the woman's story, with the post going viral, receiving more than 17,000 upvotes and 750 comments from users offering advice and support.

'Betrayed'

A 2020 study published in the Current Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities found that 12 percent of married Americans cheat. Using data from the General Social Survey between 1991 and 2018, 23 percent of men and 12 percent of women reported being unfaithful.

Chase Cassine—relationship expert and behavioral health specialist at DePaul Community Health Centers—told Newsweek it's normal to feel betrayed when a partner has cheated.

"A mutually beneficial relationship is based on trust, open and honest communication, healthy compromise and fidelity," he said.

"If the trust is broken by infidelity, the betrayed partner will feel shocked, confused and angry—[these] emotions are valid. Practice self-compassion, and give yourself grace during this time."

Whether to leave after an affair or try to save the relationship is unique to each individual, but Cassine recommends not acting while the news is fresh.

"Some people believe cheating is a deal-breaker," said Cassine. "Others believe they can work on an underlying issue and can work to repair the trust.

"Before emotionally reacting, think of your options: remaining in the marriage and never exploring what happened; leaving the marriage; or working with your partner to repair the marriage in rebuilding trust, open and honest communication and restoration of fidelity."

'He's a Coward'

In her post, u/anoncheatedthrowra said she was confused when a solicitor called out of the blue.

"She told me that her client is seeking a divorce from his wife due to the wife having an affair," the Redditor wrote.

"Their investigator found the affair is with my husband and the client asked the solicitor to inform me since my husband is married. She provided me with proof of the affair."

To make matters worse, the couple are to attend a family wedding this weekend, in which the husband is the best man.

"My brother-in-law is to be married on Saturday. My husband is the best man and is already there to assist with everything," the Redditor posted.

"Me and my 5 month-old daughter were supposed to leave on Friday morning to join them."

So far, the husband is unaware that she knows about the affair, and the poster has contacted her sister for support.

"I'm going to ask if my daughter and I can stay with her. I don't think I can face him at the wedding," she wrote.

"I don't want to hear excuses. I have to talk to my sister but I'm mostly just getting my thoughts out on here because I feel entirely scattered."

Reddit users offered kind words and advice, with cmille3 calling it "an awful situation."

"From one person who has been cheated on to another, you are amazing and brave!" wrote JnHdaughter. "He's pathetic and a coward for doing this to you."

"I can only imagine your life has just imploded," commented Dominique_eastwick. "Hugs."

Many urged the poster to prepare as much as possible while her husband is in the dark, with Village-Girl writing that she "Gather everything of importance before he gets his hands on them."

"Make sure he can't cut you off from any shared accounts," wrote Ms_PlapPlap.

"Take any important documents with you," commented stoicsticks. "Birth certificates, social insurance card, passports, etc and anything especially sentimental that would be hard to replace."

Redditor Creative_Tart7794 wrote: "Don't even let on you know. Play nice, be normal. Pretend everything is peachy and perfect until your solicitor has everything ready and then drop the hammer on his head."

Newsweek has reached out to u/anoncheatedthrowra for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.