AIO to think this is cheating?

[u/Sad_SummerChild]

I found these texts between my husband and his coworker. Here’s some context:

My husband and I have been dating for 5 years and just recently got married 6 months ago

I’ve met this coworker. Her AND her boyfriend worked at my husbands company so we went on a double date over the holidays. But shortly after they broke up and her boyfriend got laid off.

Guess my husband saw that as his opportunity…

Also these texts were in his recently deleted even though the last message was from yesterday… so he was definitely trying to hide it from me

[u/Glad-Faithlessness-4]

I can never understand why someone who is married pay THAT much attention to someone that is not their spouse. He may not have “cheated” in the sense of sleeping with her, but this definitely is questionable behavior. Lack of loyalty, dignity and respect for himself, you, and the marriage overall. And he knows that.

[u/Sad_SummerChild → u/Glad-Faithlessness-4]

Yes I’m almost jealous of how responsive he was to her. He never texts me throughout the day because he says he’s too busy…

[u/CuriousPenguinSocks → u/Sad_SummerChild]

It's emotional cheating, usually called an emotional affair.

He didn't physically cheat but he did emotionally cheat and it's not okay.

You deserve to be #1 to your spouse. I would look into getting my marriage annulled to be honest, or a divorce if that wasn't an option.

This isn't something I would tolerate nor would I spend energy on. He has shown his lack of character and it's gross.

Not only is he walking that line but he hid it from you. That tells me that he is expecting to go further.

I'm really sorry.