Last night I got home late because of a night shift at the hospital. I was so tired, but when I opened my phone I saw something that just floored me. It was 1:15 am and I was half-asleep when I scrolled and then my breath just stopped for a sec.

It wasn’t a lot, but when I looked closely it was arranged in a weird way — pictures of him with another person. Not super lovey-dovey shots, more like angles I don’t recognize, like the kind people snap messing around after a shift. Wide shots, and there’s a pink keychain hanging on the corner of a bag, and the caption was a funny one. But he kept liking the same person’s posts over and over. Like, a lot. Really a lot. I was like… huh?

He’s never done stuff like this before. I’m 23, work as a nurse in Khon Kaen, and we’ve been together almost a year.

I messaged him jokingly — it was midnight so I probably shouldn’t have, I know — but it’s been bugging me. I just asked, “Who’s this?” He answered shortly, “An old friend,” then closed the chat. Dead quiet. That was it.

The next morning I tried not to think too much, but then I saw his phone on the table at home and I opened it briefly (I feel so guilty but I already did it). I found chats in an app he didn’t keep as main — short, kinda personal lines like “miss you” “when can we meet” and some flirty stickers. It felt like a knife to the chest. Angry, surprised, and totally confused.

I don’t know what to believe because when I confronted him he said it’s just a close friend from university, they joke around a lot, and that I’m overthinking. I’m not the clingy type, but I’m not stupid — I would notice signs like this, right? Or should I soften and let him explain? Would that even help?

There’s this mixed-up feeling in my chest I’ve never had before. Sometimes I think maybe I’m being petty. I used to be a little jealous but I’ve never been the snooping kind. Now I can’t sleep, spent like three hours going through old messages, and I feel so empty T_T

There’s also these small things that make me suspicious: he’s been coming home later more often, saying he has more shifts at the clinic. Some days he says he’s going running with friends, but his shirts smell like a perfume I don’t know — like the scent from a coffee shop near the university I’ve never even been to. Little things like that, ugh.

I’m scared of ruining the relationship if I misjudge things. Would I be embarrassed if I’m wrong? Or would I regret not doing anything more? I don’t want to be controlling or overly jealous but the uncertainty is killing me. He still comes to eat near the hospital sometimes, but when I see those chats I just… I don’t know.

Sorry if this is messy and sorry it’s long. OP is fragile rn. Anyone have advice? Should I confront him directly and ask to see his phone, or talk it out more gently? What should I do? P.S. If anyone’s a nurse or has been through this, share your experience pls haha