I have always believed that cheating indicates the end of a relationship. If I or my partner are unhappy, why bother staying together? I used to think it was a straightforward matter until I cheated on my partner during a relationship and confessed the next day. However, my boyfriend's response was unexpected and, frankly, unwelcome. Here's why I dislike that he pardoned me:

1. There Was A Reason I Strayed

I don't intend to justify my behavior, but let me give you some context. At the time, I was young and had only recently started dating my current boyfriend. We had been friends since middle school, and it seemed natural to explore a romantic relationship. However, I realized early on that I had made a mistake, but I didn't want to cause him any pain, so I decided to stay.

2. I Didn't Expect His Reaction

I was unfaithful to my boyfriend with my previous partner. Surprisingly, my boyfriend didn't appear shocked or devastated by my infidelity. I was the one taken aback by his response. Instead of reacting angrily or ending the relationship immediately, he requested some time to ponder over the situation. To my surprise, he forgave me just a few hours later!

3. I Felt So Lost

On one hand, I was pleased that my boyfriend pardoned me so easily. It demonstrated how much he valued our relationship and was willing to give it another chance. On the other hand, I was perplexed. I had assumed that confessing my infidelity would make him see that we were not meant to be together and that we should stay as friends. I felt remorseful for having these thoughts, but I was also struggling with conflicting emotions.

4. He Held It Over My Head

Initially, I didn't object to the guilt trips my boyfriend put me through. I believed that I deserved to be reprimanded for my actions. Not only did I betray my boyfriend's trust, but I also violated the trust of a close friend. However, over time, I began to question why he was still with me. Although he had forgiven me enough to continue the relationship, he seemed unable to forget what had happened. Moreover, he constantly reminded me of my transgression, which made it challenging to move on.

5. The Paranoia Never Went Away

After confessing to cheating on my boyfriend, I felt trapped. I refrained from communicating with my male friends since it would only fuel his insecurities. I felt like a child, constantly checking in with him as if he were my guardian. Even when I was out with my family, he became anxious if I did not respond to his messages within a few minutes. He firmly believed that I would cheat again, and his incessant presence was suffocating.

6. Every Fight Was The Same

The subject of our disputes was irrelevant because every argument concluded in the same way. Regardless of whether I brought up an issue that was bothering me, every altercation would eventually steer toward my infidelity. Eventually, I stopped voicing my concerns even when he did something that hurt me because I couldn't bear to relive that shameful experience repeatedly.

7. Our Relationship Couldn't Move Forward

After my boyfriend granted me another chance, I felt obligated to give our relationship a second try. Although I wasn't enthusiastic about the situation, I believed that I owed it to him. However, my attempts were futile. Our relationship remained stagnant, as neither of us wanted to dwell on the past. Unfortunately, he was unable to build enough trust in me to move forward.

8. Nothing Was Ever The Same Again

Years have passed since we eventually ended our relationship. Although we tried to rekindle our romance, he and I were never the same. Since then, I've been in several relationships, some of which involved infidelity on their part. These experiences have taught me that we were both to blame. My actions destroyed a great friendship, and I should have expressed my feelings before resorting to cheating. His shortcomings, on the other hand, stemmed from his obstinacy. The reality is that he never truly forgave me for my transgressions. By the time we ended our relationship and attempted to rebuild a friendship, his resentment towards me was too profound.

9. I Had To Forgive Myself

Losing such a significant person in my life was devastating, and the shame of betraying someone I loved deeply was overwhelming. However, after a few years, I managed to forgive myself. At the time, I was young, inexperienced, and unsure of my desires.

10. I Learned A Tough Lesson

Even though thinking back on that period of my life still makes me feel uneasy, it was a valuable lesson. Now, I am not afraid to express my feelings if I am unhappy in a relationship, and I no longer remain in a relationship for the wrong reasons. I know that guilt should not be the foundation of a healthy, joyful partnership, and I will never make that mistake again.