There are few things that a spouse can do that would be worse than cheating. But infidelity can sting even more when you’re betrayed by your partner and a family member at the same time.

One woman recently shared on Reddit that she caught her husband cheating with her cousin. But instead of calling them out immediately, she waited for the perfect moment to expose them. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared. 

This woman was shocked to find out that her husband had been having an affair with her cousin

Image credits: Jeongim Kwon / unsplash (not the actual photo)

But instead of exposing them immediately, she waited until the perfect moment to call them out

Image credits: Romain Dancre / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits:  Marek Levák / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits: EcstaticMatch1971

Cheating is unfortunately quite common in marriages

Image credits: Ron Lach / pexels (not the actual photo)

When we say “I do,” we imagine our marriages to last “until death do us part.” But unfortunately, life isn’t a fairytale, and about half of all first marriages will end because one or both partners decide that they want out. This could be for a variety of reasons, but one common reason for relationships ending is because one partner has been unfaithful. 

According to PsychCentral, a 2021 survey found that about 46% of respondents in committed relationships admitted that they had cheated. However, nearly a quarter of marriages where someone has been unfaithful manage to stay together. But many of the partners who strayed didn’t get off without any consequences, as 47.5% of relationships who had been affected by infidelity decided to enforce new rules, such as sharing passwords. 

PsychCentral reports that men are nearly twice as likely as women to say they’ve cheated, and over a quarter of people who are divorced admit they’ve cheated. Cheating also becomes more common as we get older, as only 11% of 18-40 year olds say they’ve been unfaithful, while 16% of those between 41 and 54 say the same, as well as 18% of those aged 55 to 64.

Spouses decide to be unfaithful for a variety of reasons

As far as why people decide to cheat on their spouses, Verywell Mind notes that the top eight reasons cheaters cite are: anger, low self-esteem, lack of love, low commitment, need for variety, neglect, sexual desire and circumstance. Some factors that might put a marriage at higher risk of someone engaging in infidelity are financial pressures, low compatibility, an emotional or physical disconnect, a lack of respect or lack of communication.

Men and women also tend to seek out affairs for different reasons. Verywell Mind explains that men are often motivated by a desire for more sex or attention. If they feel unsatisfied sexually, they might look elsewhere. Women, on the other hand, tend to cheat to attempt to fill an emotional void. They might complain about feeling disconnected from their partner, unappreciated or ignored before seeking validation elsewhere. 

There are also individual risk factors that might make a person more likely to cheat on their partner. If they struggle with addiction, have attachment avoidance or attachment insecurity, have unresolved childhood trauma, were exposed to infidelity in childhood, have a mental illness, have previously cheated, or have psychological issues, a person may be more likely to have an affair. 

Cheaters often have affairs with people that their spouses know too

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)

While it is sometimes possible to salvage a relationship after one or both partners have cheated, it certainly won’t be easy, and it might not even be worth it. According to a 2017 study, there actually is some truth to the old saying “once a cheater, always a cheater.” And breaking a partner’s trust can do irreparable damage to a relationship. 

PsychCentral notes that those who have been cheated on might experience symptoms similar to PTSD or go through the 5 stages of grief upon finding out about an affair. At the same time, the rejection that those who have been cheated on feel can cause changes in the brain pathways similar to withdrawal in substance abuse disorder. And unfortunately, cheating with someone that both spouses know, as the man in this story did, is surprisingly common.

According to Couples Academy, 43.7% of women and 22.2% of men who cheat do so with someone who both partners know. Another study found that over half of cheaters admitted to having affairs with close personal friends, and nearly a third admit having cheated with a neighbor, friend or long-term acquaintance. Unfortunately, the woman in this story certainly isn’t the first to have experienced a situation like this. If you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article discussing infidelity, look no further than right here.

Readers applauded the woman for her revenge and assured her that she had done nothing wrong

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