I have known my wife for around 15 years in total, first as my girlfriend and then as my wife. In the beginning we had a very good relationship, even during the early years of marriage. But after our first child, things slowly started to change. We began fighting more often, intimacy became difficult, and she often avoided sex. We talked many times, things would improve for maybe a couple of weeks, then go back to the same problems again.
At first, I tolerated it because I thought it was related to the stress of becoming a mother for the first time. Then we had our second child about one and a half years ago.
Because of my work, I stay away from home for around 4 months at a time and then return home for about 3 months vacation. Even while away, I always tried to stay connected through WhatsApp, video calls, and daily communication. Still, deep inside, I always feared she might be having an affair, although I never had proof.
About 4 months ago, things became much worse. When I returned home from work, in the early morning I surprised her without telling her in advance. Her reaction felt strange to me, almost like she was unprepared or nervous.
Same day afternoon I suggested we go together to pick up our daughter from school. She seemed uncomfortable and nervous about the idea, but eventually agreed. Later, while I was taking a nap, she went alone without me. When she returned, I asked why she left without me, and she became defensive and anxious.
The next day we went together. As we approached the school gate, I noticed her hands shaking badly. Usually there are men sitting in their cars near the gate waiting for their children, and she seemed extremely uncomfortable going near them. She wanted to park far away even though there was space near the entrance. At that moment my suspicions became much stronger.
A few days later, I asked her calmly if there was something going on. Immediately she became defensive and said I could check her phone because there was nothing there, even though I had not accused her of anyone specifically.
Another thing that affected me deeply happened later. During our first intimacy after I returned home, she strongly hesitated when I did not use protection, which felt unusual to me. Then about three weeks later, I found emergency contraceptive pill packaging in our second car. Apparently our younger child had taken it from her purse and left it on the windshield.
After seeing that, I could no longer convince myself that nothing was wrong. I became emotionally disconnected. I stayed calm and never created a huge fight, but inside I completely lost trust. She looked very afraid but kept denying anything happened, saying the pills were just in her purse and meant nothing.
For the remaining month before I returned to work overseas, we barely had intimacy, and even when we did, I felt emotionally detached. Now I am abroad again for another 4 months. We no longer communicate directly much. I only call daily to speak with the children.
The problem is that I cannot fully prove anything. Her phone is always very clean, and she seems careful. But emotionally I no longer feel trust or desire, and I believe she would never admit anything unless I caught her directly.
At this point I honestly do not know what to do.
--Frommy Dm, please share your advice for this brother.
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