I found out my (28m) wife (27f) is cheating on me with her best friends husband. Do I tell his wife?

In a quiet suburban home, a man’s world shatters with a single, searing moment. A 28-year-old husband, expecting a quick stop to grab a forgotten item, walks in on his wife entangled with her best friend’s husband. His heart races, fury erupts, and the sting of betrayal burns deep. His wife, grappling with bipolar disorder, had flirted with others before, but this crosses a line that can’t be uncrossed. He sends her packing and calls a lawyer, but a heavier choice looms.

This raw Reddit confession captures the chaos of infidelity and the moral weight of truth. Torn between rage and responsibility, the man debates whether to tell his wife’s best friend, knowing it’ll devastate her too. Reddit’s buzzing with fiery takes, and we’re diving into this gut-punch of a story to unravel the heartbreak, the anger, and the path forward. His journey through betrayal’s wreckage begins here.

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‘I found out my (28m) wife (27f) is cheating on me with her best friends husband. Do I tell his wife?’

I’m going to try to keep this not too long. I’m pissed so things may be jumbled. I knew my wife was messaging men while she’s manic (she is bipolar) but she’s remorseful and says it means nothing once she’s stable.

Two days ago I came home to get something I forgot and I walked in on them. It wasn’t my finest moment. I went into a rage and hit him . I told my wife to not be there when I came home. She went to her parents and I have contacted a lawyer to divorce her.

I know him and his wife well. We double date a lot and this is her best friend since they were kids. Do I tell his wife or do I give them the chance to? As of now, she doesn’t know anything about this.

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ETA: I told his wife and she was devastated. I don’t like being the one to break the news. She’s not letting him come home and will likely divorce him. I think I’m still in shock from walking in on it. I can’t get that image out of my mind either. At this point, I’m telling everyone I can.

Catching a spouse in an affair is like a grenade to the heart, and this man’s reaction—rage, eviction, divorce—reflects the raw wound of betrayal. His wife’s bipolar disorder complicates the narrative, but doesn’t erase accountability. Psychologist Dr. Shirley Glass notes, “Infidelity thrives in secrecy, and healing begins with transparency” (Psychology Today, 2003). The husband’s choice to tell the other wife, though painful, aligns with this, giving her agency to decide her future.

The wife’s history of messaging men during manic episodes suggests impulsivity, but using her diagnosis as an excuse dismisses the deeper issue: broken trust. A 2021 study in Bipolar Disorders found that while mania can increase risky behavior, it doesn’t inherently lead to infidelity (Bipolar Disorders, 2021). Her actions, especially with a close friend’s husband, show a pattern of disregard, not just a medical symptom.

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The husband’s physical outburst, while understandable in the heat of shock, risks legal repercussions. Dr. Glass advises channeling anger into constructive steps, like therapy or legal counsel, which he’s pursuing. His decision to inform the friend was tough but ethical—studies show 85% of people want to know about a partner’s affair (Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2018). It empowers her, even if it hurts.

Moving forward, individual therapy could help him process the trauma and intrusive images. Couples therapy is unlikely, given his resolve to divorce, but co-parenting strategies (if applicable) may need exploration. The friend’s parallel divorce mirrors his pain, creating a shared path to rebuild. This story underscores that truth, though brutal, is the first step toward reclaiming control.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s verdict is unanimous and fiery: the husband was right to tell the best friend, no question. Commenters slam the wife’s infidelity, dismissing her bipolar excuse as a weak cop-out, and urge full transparency to protect the friend from further deception. They empathize with his shock and rage, though some caution against physical reactions due to legal risks. The community’s all-in on exposing the affair to everyone, from friends to family, to ensure accountability.

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rthrouw1234 − Tell his wife. There's no reason not to tell since you're divorcing anyway.

Rocko2552 − You need to tell his wife. It's not about trying to ruin the other man's life or anything, it's about saving the woman's life. There's a possibility that she may forgive her husband and not your wife or vice versa but that her decisions to make.

By looking at your actions of kicking out your wife and contacting a divorce lawyer right away, it tells me that you wouldn't want to be left in the dark. I know me personally i would always want to know. Anyways tell her and sorry that of all ways to find out you had to actually walk in on them. It's an image that i would never be able to wipe out of my head.

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FSFoxxy − She doesn't see the marks from the smack you gave him?. F**k yea you tell her. Follow through with that lawyer too.

lizardbflo − Tell his wife. She deserves to be informed to make a decision for her own happiness. Im really sorry, but your wife using bipolar manic episode to excuse behavior outside of your marriage enraged me.

I have several extended family members who are bi polar who with certainty would never step outside of their marriage and would be infuriated that someone used this disease as an excuse to step out. They work very hard in therapy and with medication etc to ensure they are the best husband and wife they can be.

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HolleringCorgis − How would you feel if she knew but was keeping it from *you*?. Tell her. She has the right to make an informed decision.

[Reddit User] − *Do I tell his wife?*. Short answer: !Yes.!<. Long Answer: !Uh...Yes.!<

[Reddit User] − Why is it even a question? Of course. You tell EVERYONE. Don’t give either of them the time or opportunity to spin things.

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Jaydogpit − Yes you tell his wife she deserves to know & tell both your parents what’s going on

Cosmohumanist − Like others I agree that you should tell the friend as well as your wife’s parents, and I would do so immediately. The longer this goes the more time she will have to control the narrative, which could negatively affect your divorce process.

For example, if she gets ahead of the situation she might go around telling everyone *you* were cheating first or abusive in some way. If they believe her then they might not believe you, and it could be used against you legally, whether it’s true or not.. Act soon. And I’m so sorry this is happening brother.

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omari86 − do you have kids ?

This saga of infidelity and shattered friendships is a stark reminder that betrayal cuts deep, but truth can spark healing. The husband’s journey—from catching his wife’s affair to choosing honesty despite the pain—shows the messy strength it takes to face betrayal head-on. His story, raw with anger and resolve, invites reflection on trust and tough choices. Share your thoughts or experiences below—how do you navigate the fallout when love and loyalty collapse?

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