[UPDATE] I (28M) wrongly accused my girlfriend (24F) of cheating. I don’t know where to go from here.

In a dimly lit apartment, where the hum of a restless night lingers, a 28-year-old man faces the wreckage of his own making. His girlfriend’s secretive calls and mysterious payments once fueled suspicions of infidelity, prompting him to snoop through her phone. The truth—a meticulously planned surprise weekend for him—shattered his accusations but not the damage. Now, her packed bags and calm farewell mark the end of their love, leaving him to confront his deepest flaws.

This Reddit update, raw with regret, pulls readers into a story of trust betrayed and lessons learned. As he grapples with loss, his resolve to change resonates, inviting us to reflect on how past wounds shape present bonds.

For those who want to read the previous part: Original Story

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‘[UPDATE] I (28M) wrongly accused my girlfriend (24F) of cheating. I don’t know where to go from here.’

So, my last post got a lot of responses and I decided to do a prompt update as a lot has changed in just the last day and I wanted to update anyone who was interested and/or concerned for my girlfriend. I read your responses and decided to make a big apology to my girlfriend for how I behaved. However, before I got chance, she arrived at the house.

I'll hold my hands up and say that this isn't the first time I've jumped to conclusions and pretty much since we got together, I've had a habit of winding myself up and then checking her phone/accounts. I know it's wrong, but I always felt if I found something I'd be justified which is so messed up, I know. My ex did cheat on me. Well, she had an affair and left me for the other dude.

I guess I projected this onto my current girlfriend. My girlfriend never, ever has given me any reason to doubt her and treats me better than I've ever been treated before. She's down to earth, honest, open, funny, kind, beautiful and she gives me to opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings with no judgement.. I don't know why I assumed the worst of her, I really don't.

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To answer a common question  she has online banking app on her phone and it's the same passcode as her mobile so I could log on. Super super fucked up, I know. When she arrived at the house, she was calm but sad. She explained that she knew I'd always check her phone and that I'd be 'off' with her anytime she went out with friends but that she always hoped over time, if she proved herself, I'd let go.

When she found out that I'd done what I did, it hurt even more because she was trying to do something nice for me. She told me she loves me but she finds herself justifying every activity she does, over explaining herself and told me she has real, genuine anxiety whenever she's out with friends because she knows I'll be sat at home imagining scenarios of where she could be.

She found herself withdrawing from friends. She told me we were over. Not because she doesn't love me, because she can't devote her life to someone who only sees the worst in her. She told me that I could have just spoke to her and she'd be honest but that she knows even if she did, I wouldn't believe her unless I could prove it and she's probably right.

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I don't know why, but I know in myself I would not fully believe her because I mean, of course she'd say that, right? Anyway... She left me. Packed up her things and went. I know her, she's a strong minded woman. It really is over and I've never felt worse. But she's right, I'm not ready to trust someone yet and even in our last moments, she gave me the confidence and motivation to get help and be better, even if she won't be there to see the change.

I know she loves me and that fact alone makes it worth changing myself. I'm not going to try and win her back, because I can't promise I won't do it again. I'm heartbroken and hurt but she verbalised it in such a way, it really hit home. She calmly explained it to me in a way that only showed me her true love for me.. I'm just so sorry for hurting her, I guess.

But, thank you all for sharing your opinions and giving me some home truths. I appreciate it more than you know. This is it for now, hopefully this time next year I'll be a new man and be able to treat the next woman who loves me, the way my ex girlfriend deserved to be treated.. 

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The unraveling of this relationship underscores how unresolved trauma can poison trust. The boyfriend’s habitual snooping, driven by a past affair, created a cycle of paranoia that suffocated his girlfriend. Her decision to leave, despite her love, reflects a stand for self-respect, as his actions—monitoring her phone and accounts—bordered on emotional abuse.

From her perspective, justifying every outing and battling anxiety to appease his doubts eroded her freedom. His admission of projecting past betrayal reveals a core issue: unhealed wounds. A 2024 study in Psychology Today notes that 65% of individuals with trust issues stem from prior relationship trauma (source).

Dr. John Gottman, a relationship expert, emphasizes, “Trust is built through consistent, reliable actions over time” (source). Gottman’s insight highlights the boyfriend’s failure to choose curiosity over control. His girlfriend’s exit was a boundary, not a rejection, signaling her need for safety.

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He’s taken a vital step by acknowledging his fault and committing to change. Therapy, particularly trauma-focused, could help him unpack his insecurities. Journaling or support groups may rebuild self-awareness.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit’s voices weigh in with a blend of tough love and encouragement, serving up raw takes on this tale of loss and growth.

eskim01 − That really sucks for you man, but honestly I think she made the right choice too. You seem to have some really deep insecurities and trust issues from previous relationship. You should consider getting therapy for those problems, and work on yourself so you don't push those insecurities on others. Good luck man, hope it gets better from here.

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cherokeejew2 − In the end she helped you. Actions have consequences. Nothing more vexing than going into a relationship starting fresh yet stuck having to pay the price for someone else's s**tty behavior. Day after day.. Youre young. Live and learn.

[Reddit User] − You really need to get some therapy AND I would not put an end date on that. Seriously you need to be single. A lot of us have been cheated on. Yes it sucks. Yes it's s**tty. Yes it makes you question EVERYTHING. That said, it's internal to you. You have to fix it. You literally blew your relationship out of the water over this.

Frankly, I think you need to find someone that specializes in trauma because you took a good woman and flipped her on her head because of internal misplaced angry, anxiety and paranoia. No partner deserves that. They deserve to be trusted, loved and respected. Now, if they turn out to be the Devil incarnate then just toss them aside.

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I really believe that you will keep doing what your doing but justifying it to yourself that 'my ex cheated and left me for the other guy' so I need to know and prove to myself that my current girlfriend isn't doing the same (you know... projecting much?) So, please get help. Be single and heal and figure your internal s**t out. You deserve it and obligated to do this so that you don't keep treating your relationships with such paranoia and anxiety

SJoyD − ' I'll hold my hands up and say that this isn't the first time I've jumped to conclusions and pretty much since we got together, I've had a habit of winding myself up and then checking her phone/accounts. I know it's wrong, but I always felt if I found something I'd be justified which is so messed up, I know. '. You left that out of your first post and made it sound like a one time deal.. Good for her.

Ebbie45 − **I just want to add that not only did your anxieties lead her to isolate herself, but monitoring her phone and accounts is abusive behavior. I'm sorry you were cheated on, but you were emotionally abusive to your girlfriend.** I hope she can heal from this and I hope you can work on yourself. This is the first step. Good luck.

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xvszero − You screwed up bad but you're taking it the right way.

lestrugglebus − No sympathy for you to be honest.. ​ You kinda brush over the fact how much you snooped on her, in a 'yeah s**t happens' kinda way. I can only imagine what kinda mental and emotional stress you constantly subjected onto her because of that. She literally tried to give you the world and you made her feel like trash. My heart goes out to her.

sunflower1940 − this isn't the first time I've jumped to conclusions and pretty much since we got together, I've had a habit of winding myself up and then checking her phone/accounts ... she has online banking app on her phone and it's the same passcode as her mobile so I could log on You really should work on yourself before getting with another girl. I would have ditched you the first time you tried that s**t.

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tinypoppies − What you did and how she felt are EXACTLY why I left my ex. Same with her, I didn’t stop loving him, but I gathered my courage to walk away from an unhealthy relationship. It wasn’t easy for me too, having to push away someone I love so much. If anything I also hope that in parting ways, he also becomes a better man. I want that for him.

As for you, it seems you have enough self-reflection to possibly do something to become a better person. It takes time to change and get over past issues that you ended up reflecting in your new relationship, but awareness is the first step, and action is the next, which is very essential. I hope you find it in you to truly want to be better, and if you really mean it and do something about it, then that makes all the love she gave you count for something.

dlabsx − I'm glad you're taking the break up well, and not going full p**cho on her. I find it fairly unusual that a guy will be so willing to admit how far he's overstepped and be accountable for the end of the relationship. Good on you for that... seriously. You may want to look into speaking with someone - therapist or whatever - so you can unpack this trust issue you've got. You seem to recognize that it's lost you one good partner. Don't let it lose you another.

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These opinions stir the pot, but do they pave the way to real change? Reddit’s candor keeps the conversation alive.

This man’s story is a stark reminder that love alone can’t survive unchecked mistrust. His girlfriend’s departure, though painful, became a mirror for his flaws, sparking a commitment to heal. As he steps into self-reflection, we’re left pondering the cost of carrying old wounds into new bonds. How would you overcome past betrayals to trust again? Share your experiences or advice—let’s keep the dialogue open!

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