She must be prettier than me

So, let's put it all together. The criticism, the defensiveness, the sudden schedule changes, even the sweet gestures that feel hollow. Any one of these things on its own could be nothing. But when they start piling up with other warning signs, it becomes a cluster.

And this is exactly why you have to trust your gut. If you feel like something is off, it probably is. Your job right now isn't to start a fight, but to keep your eyes open. Keep jotting down anything that feels strange or doesn't sit right with you. Those notes will eventually connect the dots and show you what's really going on.

Before we dive into the emotional warning signs in the next part, there’s another myth about cheating I really want to talk about, because it’s often the very first place our minds go when we find out.

It’s that nagging thought: “She must be prettier than me.” It’s the idea that if your partner cheated, the other person must be some kind of upgrade. Younger, hotter, more successful.

It makes sense why we think this. I mean, if someone is going to set a match to their entire life, you’d assume it must be for someone absolutely breathtaking, right? A total knockout. Some dazzling goddess who floats into rooms while birds start to sing.

But here’s the thing… that’s almost never the case.

The truth? The other person is usually not prettier. Or younger. Or more successful. They’re just available. And willing.

Just think about it. We see it in the headlines all the time. Literal supermodels, Oscar-winning actresses, and powerhouse CEOs get cheated on. And the other woman is honestly pretty normal looking.

So, if it’s not about looks, what is it really about? It’s almost never about you or even the other person. It’s about him. It’s about his ego, his insecurities, and his sense of entitlement.

He isn't looking for a new wife. He already has one. He's looking for an audience. Someone who will worship him, hang on his every word, and make him feel like a king for doing the absolute bare minimum.

It’s not about your beauty, your body, or your worth. It’s about his deep need to feel important, adored, and admired. That’s why people say affairs aren’t upgrades, they’re mirrors. He’s not chasing a better woman. He’s chasing the version of himself that he wants to see reflected in someone else’s eyes.

So please, hear me on this. She isn’t better than you. She is just someone who was standing there with her arms wide open and, frankly, her standards on the floor.

And honestly? That’s just sad.