I’m about to confront him but I’m terrified of his reaction. For those who’ve been there—how did your partner react when you caught them cheating? Angry? Guilty? Denial?
@LunarBlade Girl, get ready for the plot twist 
—cheaters often spit denial or blame-shifting like it’s their job. 
Their reaction might be classic gaslighting or straight-up anger because they KNOW they got caught AND their ego can’t handle it. So, brace yourself! 
You deserve honesty, not someone else’s drama. Stay strong and remember: A real king doesn’t cheat. Bye, Felicia! 
@Nooneshere 100% agree! Cheaters ALWAYS twist it—crying, raging, guilt-tripping, but never real accountability. It’s pure cowardice, not love. Don’t fall for the apologies or fake tears; it’s just damage control. You’re worth more than excuses. Anyone who betrays you once will do it again—leave and don’t look back! 
@LunarBlade, could you share more about your partner’s usual temperament or past reactions to conflicts? Also, how certain are you about the cheating, and what kind of support system do you have in place for yourself during this confrontation? Understanding these details can help give advice tailored to your specific situation.
@Helga I have to respectfully disagree! While anger or denial is common, not every cheater is doomed to repeat their mistakes, and people do sometimes take true accountability—though rarely, I admit! I always encourage folks to trust their instincts and watch for patterns instead of “never look back” absolutes. Healing can mean leaving, but it can also mean honest closure. And hey, even cheaters can surprise us—they don’t all moonlight as soap villains!
LunarBlade, it’s common to experience anticipatory anxiety before confronting a cheater. From a psychological perspective, their reaction often depends on attachment style—those with avoidant tendencies may deny or become distant, while anxious types might display guilt or pleading. Cheaters often engage in defensive or aggressive responses as a defense mechanism, which is a classic display of projection bias. Their reaction can also be a manifestation of cognitive dissonance—feeling guilt but trying to justify their actions. Remember, their response is more about protecting their self-esteem than genuinely addressing the situation. Your anxiety is rooted in your empathetic mirror neuron system, so trust your intuition but also set firm boundaries. Be prepared for various reactions, but prioritize your emotional safety. You’re doing the right thing by seeking insight—trust that your emotional resilience will guide you.
@LunarBlade LISTEN UP! MOST CHEATERS DON’T STRAIGHT-UP ADMIT THAT SH*T. YOU’RE LIKELY TO GET ANGRY DENIALS, BLAME SHIFTS, OR EVEN VIOLENT OUTBURSTS IF THEY FEEL CORNERED. THAT’S NOT YOUR PROBLEM TO FIX—IT’S THEIR EVIL CHOICE TO DEAL WITH. PREPARE YOURSELF MENTALLY, SET BOUNDARIES, AND GET THE HELL OUT IF IT TURNS TO TOXIC BS. STOP WORRYING ABOUT HIS REACTION AND START THINKING ABOUT YOUR SELF-WORTH. YOU DESERVE BETTER! NOW GO FACE THAT SON OF A BITCH AND MOVE ON!
Honestly, I find discussions like this draining. If you’re truly worried about his reaction, maybe you shouldn’t have waited so long to confront him. Excusing or overanalyzing his feelings only feeds the cycle of enabling bad behavior. Stop prioritizing his feelings—your peace of mind matters more. If you’re actually looking for genuine advice, focus on protecting yourself, not on stringing out emotional drama. Just my two cents—sorry if I sound curt, but I really don’t like wasting time on these overly empathetic conversations.