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Do I keep believing him after his string of lies?

Tagged as: Cheating, Family, Friends, Marriage problems, Troubled relationships, Trust issues<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (1 June 2018) 13 Answers - (Newest, 6 June 2018)
A female United States age 36-40, anonymous writes:

Long story short, over the past month, my husband has been caught in a string of lies. First lie is when he told me he called his buddy but later found out he called a female coworker to congratulate her for this cover she got for a magazine. Odd that he lied as it seems innocent but we talked through it and let him know he doesn’t need to lie, be open with me and I’ll be fine. Two days later, I found out he was about to give her a $200 gift for her birthday. I found the gift in my car trunk and confronted him and he said it was for her and he hid it because he knew I would be upset since the gift was expensive. Got over that after some talking and counseling. I asked him if I can meet this coworker so I can feel comfortable being that he has to see her everyday at work. He freaked out on me and said it’s ridiculous and she is not a real friend and no point in meeting her. I asked him if he did ever buy her a bday gift since he didn’t give her the expensive one and he said no. Later on I find out he did get her something. Donated a giraffe to her from one of those conservation websites. Again annoyed with the lie. Recently I checked his locations on his phone and it turns out he has been to her house twice. Once when he told me he was hanging out with a buddy. I confronted him and he lashed out on me saying I have issues and calling me crazy. To get over it, it’s the past. He stated he doesn’t remember going there twice but he went once before he met his buddy for dinner and he was only there for 30 minutes looking at pictures from a recent trip she took. He stated he didn’t feel like he needed to tell me cause I would overreact and it was not important. Throughout all of this, he made me feel like I had issues and the problem was me. I told him it’s hard for me to trust him being that he has lied multiple times about this same person. He stated he didn’t cheat on me and when I tell him I feel as though he didn’t physically cheat, but he was toying with the idea, he just continued to get angry and defensive. After some talking, we are better now but I still am extremely shocked and hurt by his behavior and lies and something still tells me something is off, but I don’t know if I am just making myself crazy overthinking. Also some back story on us, been together for 8 years and 3 kids all under the age of 4. We have also never had any serious problems with lies like this in our relationship so this is all new to me.

View related questions: at work, co-worker

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2018):

Update - OP

After a long conversation, he is stating he only went to her place once and for 30 minutes to see some pictures from a trip. After that he met up with his buddy at a sports bar about 1 mile away. He said he didn’t tell me cause he didn’t think much of it and other co workers were there. I asked him if there is anything else I should know about and he said no.

Idk, everything still seems very strange to me. I remember talking to him right before he met up with his friend and for him not to mention oh by the way I’m stopping by a friends house to see pictures is weird. Also, it’s 2018, who needs to go to someone’s house to see vacation pictures? We have it on our phones. And of course, his iPhone shows his location to be at her house for more than 30 minutes. I checked my locations and it is pretty accurate. Even if things are close by, it will show that you left point A to go to point B. Also, I ended up texting the coworker. Kinda regret it but I needed the truth. I just asked her if my husband has ever been to her house alone and if so, for how long? She texted back with a question saying she doesn’t get the context of the message and I just replied never mind all good because at that point, I regretted it already.

I just feel so let down and I feel like I lost all respect for my husband. I really don’t think he physically cheated, but I do feel he was getting too caught up with this female and using all his energy towards her rather than his family. Idk, I also feel like I can’t trust him anymore. Plus he has to see this coworker everyday so it bothers me so much and I don’t really know how to move past this. I’m so hurt and if I talk to him about it, he doesn’t get it and gets frustrated because he states this girl means nothing and we are giving her too much power, that we should be focusing on the future. He says I expect you to be reacting this way if I did in fact cheat, but I didn’t and we need to move in and be happy again. It’s hard right now.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 June 2018):

Hi, OP.

A follow up on your thoughts at this point and the course of action you are contemplating would be great.

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A female reader, holeymoley Australia +, writes (2 June 2018):

holeymoley agony auntLiar, liar I smell fire. Telling you your crazy is him gas lighting you. You're not crazy, he's CRAZY for thinking you have no reason to be thinking he's up to no good-sorry but he is. $200 gifts for someone he claims is NOT a real friend, come on...who does that? The donated giraffe is a very personal and intimate one at that. Going to her home for what tea and biscuits, I think not. Girl, you have serial liar on your hands. From what you post he is either cheating or intending to. So in answer to your question, NO you cant keep believing him. He has given you no reason not to. HUSBANDS don't act like that, not decent ones anyway.

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A female reader, Youcannotbeserious United Kingdom + , writes (2 June 2018):

Youcannotbeserious agony auntYou have a gut instinct to protect you. Listen to yours. You KNOW things are not right. You also KNOW he is gaslighting you as a form of defence. You sound like a strong intelligent woman. Don't fall for him trying to make out YOU are the problem.

While there is no way of knowing whether this relationship is yet physical, he is diverting time and effort (not to mention a lot of money) from YOUR relationship to be with her. That is ALREADY cheating.

My guess is he has a huge crush on her and was hoping he could have an affair behind your back with her. You were never supposed to have found out about his shenanigans with her. He is so defensive because he is still hoping things will work out with this woman and he is terrified you will put a spanner in the works.

In your shoes I would be doing as Code Warrior advises and seeing a solicitor. Make sure you have your options covered because it sounds like he will keep lying to be with this woman but will never actually admit to it until it is either all over or you have given him an ultimatum that opens his eyes to what he stands to lose.

Sending hugs. Not an easy situation, especially with so many young children involved.

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A female reader, CindyCares Italy +, writes (2 June 2018):

CindyCares agony aunt EDIT: Three times is enemy action

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A female reader, CindyCares Italy +, writes (2 June 2018):

CindyCares agony auntOverthinking ? If any, you are under-thinking !

In one of the James Bond books it says : " Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy acyion ".

You have caught him in lies 4 or 5 times (...that you know of )- so draw your conclusions.

Maybe he has not physically cheated on you ( and,btw, that could also be because he got turned down, not because he did not want to cheat ). So what, - he was / is still definitely up to no good.

If nothing else, for even thinking of giving somebody an expensive gift without your knowledge and approval ! It's his money and he can do what he wants with it ?... My foot. Even if you have separate accounts and separate finances, once you have 3 kids there's no such thing like " my money "- it's always your family's money. Your kids' money !

Unless you are really filthy rich , and for his pockets $ 200 are like 10 cents for the next person - which I don't think it's the case, otherwise he would not have mentioned that the gift is expensive - when you have got kids you don't go around gifting expensive stuff to mere acquaintances ( as he would like to pass her off ). If he's got $200 that he just MUST to get rid off- he could take the kids to a theme park, or surprise them with some special treat !

When you are a family man, you don't go around splurging on semi-strangers at work! There may be exceptions, of course- and they need to be discussed with your partner and approved by her/him.

He SO wanted to impress her . Pathetic. He knows that, with wife and three kids at home, he 's not exactly a most appealing choice for any woman, so he tries to improve his chances courting her with gifts, the old fashioned way.

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A male reader, N91 United Kingdom +, writes (2 June 2018):

N91 agony auntI’d be extremely surprised if he’s not cheating here.

Nothing adds up, his story sounds like shit and is falling to pieces whenever he’s questioned AND he’s trying to make you feel like you’re imagining all of this!

I’d be hightailing it out of there.

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A male reader, BE125 United States +, writes (2 June 2018):

Hi, I am sorry for what you are going through and my heart goes out to you and your children. My view has always been that someone that is lying is a person with something to hide. What struck me is that he said she was not really even a friend, yet he gets her a $200 gift. That doesn't make any sense. You are not overthinking, you are thinking quite clearly I think. The defensive and aggressive behavior is another sign of guilty knowledge in my opinion. My advice would be to continue to be skeptical until proven otherwise. Trust needs to be earned back.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (2 June 2018):

No, you should not believe every lie that has come out of his cheating mouth. Everything he has told you is a LIE.

Every word he said screams to me that he is cheating on you with this woman. If he is not yet physically cheating, then he already is emotionally cheating. So, either he has already sealed the deal with her or he is working hard to do just that, ie, the expensive gifts, the phone call etc. But having been to her house twice? Hmmmm. Knowing this fact makes it highly likely he has already slept with this woman. How stupid is this guy anyway? Putting her expensive gift in the trunk of YOUR car???

I honestly do not think you need any more evidence. You have all the evidence you need.

Now, if you want the proof, what you must do is lay low and follow him. Do you know where she lives? Or hire a private investigator to nab him red handed.

But, why is any of that even necessary when you know he is cheating on you?

A woman's gut instinct is there for a reason. And it's always right. Women KNOW their husbands more than anyone and pick up on everything and anything that is different or has changed.

Of course he's going to turn the tables on you and blame you. Of course he will get angry. He's trying to throw you off his trail. And he wants to keep his cushy little life with you while playing around on the side. Well, it just doesn't work that way. And you will have to show him just that.

He has already checked out of your marriage. For a married man to behave this way, it means he no longer loves his wife and family. It means he disrespects you. It means he thinks he can do as he wishes and get away with it. A man who loves his wife does not do things to hurt her and cause her pain, and to cause his family pain. He is placing his selfishness above all of you. I don't know about you, but I would be absolutely disgusted by him at this point. So disgusted that any love I felt for him would fly out the window in an instant. Why would you want a man who is risking the loss of his wife and family for some bit on the side? A bit I may add that will never last. When a guy is in the beginning phases of an affair, it's like an addiction and he can't see straight. Eventually when he comes back to real life, and he will, he will be SORRY. Sorry for what he lost. He will realize it was not worth it and he will go on the rest of his life realizing he was an asshole. And he will have to live with that.

There is not much a wife can do. He is in a fog. And this woman is like his drug. He risks everything to get his fix (her). And if this is any comfort, he doesn't LOVE her either. He is just using her as an escape from whatever issues he has with himself or his relationship with you. Obviously there is something going on in his head. Something has changed. He is not happy in some way. I suspect he is nor ever has been the communicative type. So, you would never know what he is thinking or feeling, or if he is unhappy. Sadly married men turn outside their marriages to fix their problems rather than be honest with their wives. This woman is an ego boost for him. She sees him as her knight in shining armour. He likes that. She must be paying him a lot of attention and he likes the reflection of himself in her eyes. He is just another weak man with no integrity or character.

Sorry but this ain't a good guy you have here.

And only 8 years in he is cheating?

My one strong guess would be he is a big baby himself who feels neglected because you have 3 young children and their needs are paramount, while he may be taking a back seat.

Whatever his problem, I think it is too late. I would not want to take him back or go to counselling. When the trust is destroyed, it is destroyed. You just can't go back. You will try for the rest of your lives. But eventually that lack of trust will end your marriage. So, it is better not to let it get to that point. Why waste your sanity on him in the long run? I think sometimes we need to be smart enough to call it a day. Because as hard as it might be, you deserve better. I can tell you I have been there. And I have come out on the other side. Life does go on. And it does get better. Weather the storm. It will not last forever. And you will come out stronger and happier. I wish you strength and peace.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (2 June 2018):

No, you do not keep believing his lies. He gets angry and defensive when you confront him because he knows you've caught him out doing something wrong.

Something is telling you something is off because you know in your heart he was lying and likely cheating and still is. Don't let him gaslight you like this and don't hide your head in the sand. He's the one with issues and if you stay with him then you're letting yourself into a world of hurt.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (2 June 2018):

Post script:

He's using the psychological-leverage that you don't want to face being a single-mother, trying to support three children alone. He knows you don't want to face the embarrassment of a divorce. Everyone finding-out he is making romantic-overtures towards another woman. You shun the public humiliation, as anyone would. It's crushing to your self-esteem, and you'd rather pretend it's not happening. The more you snoop, the more you'll discover, and the more this will hurt you.

Put yourself and your children first.

Talk with an attorney, and then decide what you should do.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (2 June 2018):

I think you've found sufficient evidence that your husband is acting inappropriately; and the strong possibly he is cheating is difficult to dismiss.

He has no business at her house! He has lost all credibility by lying about the $200 gift; and then trying to make you out to be crazy for confronting him about it. How can you even entertain the thought there's anything you're doing wrong? Come on, don't play dumb! This is serious, and you've got to face the truth.

The thing about a cheating-husband is, he wants to getaway with it. He doesn't want to face any consequences for it. He'll play it off. Expect him to say and do everything he possibly can to make you feel like you've lost your mind.

He will insult your intelligence and convince you that you're a total and complete fool. Are you that weak-minded?

He will deflect every piece of evidence you place before him. He'll use testosterone and his masculinity to psychologically reduce you down to a helpless and powerless hysterical-female. You'll yield; because you want so badly to believe him.

That would be your permission to continue what he's doing; as long as he hides it from you. And he will!

He knows he has put everything he has on the line for his dick; and there's no getting around it, once he's busted.

Don't rationalize, retreat into denial, or delude yourself.

He can't be trusted considering he has been to her house, bought her a very expensive gift, then went online and got her a replacement-gift; in spite of your confrontation about the original one. This man is risking everything for this woman. You and his family! He has still cheated on you; even if he hasn't had sex. If he was at her house, that increases the likelihood that he has. He's certainly working his way towards third-base!

This is all on you. You've been to counseling; but counseling doesn't stop people from lying and cheating.

You've confronted him with evidence; but he insists on lying to you.

All circumstantial-evidence indicates he's cheating, and he will not stop lying about his actions. You are not crazy, but you are just afraid to face the reality of this situation. Most understandably; you wouldn't want to lose your marriage. You can't permit your husband to have an affair right before your very eyes either! You'd definitely lose your mind enduring this; while sitting quietly on the sidelines.

If there are no dire consequences; he will simply hide and cleverly cover his tracks. Continue lying, and proceed with his cheating.

Call a divorce attorney and get your legal-ducks in a row. Stop fooling around with this guy.

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A female reader, Honeypie United States + , writes (2 June 2018):

Honeypie agony auntHow CAN you believe anything coming out of his mouth?

He doesn't want you to meet her because she is not really a friend... yet he couldn't talk to her on the phone in front of you, bought her a $200 gift and visited her at least twice while claiming he was elsewhere...

And best of all - HE is blaming YOU. YOU are the one having issues?

You feel like something is off because SOMETHING is off - HE is off his rocker if he keeps thinking you are too stupid to make 2+2=4

He knows what he is doing is disrespectful and disgraceful when in a committed relationship.

The question isn't ARE you overthinking, but WHAT are you going to do about this?

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