Last night around 1:30–1:25 AM I heard my boyfriend’s phone notification and literally jolted awake. I was so shocked, omg. He got up to reply in the dark room — you could even see his silhouette by the window — and I saw a LINE pop-up with just two words: "miss you". My heart was pounding so hard I had to sneak a peek at the chat (just the name and the short message), and that was it.

Everything went silent. I was so confused, like the world stopped for ten seconds or something, and then everything came back but I didn’t know anything anymore.

I’m 28, we’ve been together three years. I work at a shop in the mall in Korat, sometimes get home early, sometimes late because the store closes late — some nights I get home at like 5:30 AM. He usually says he’s doing overtime or meeting clients, and I’ve believed him. But little things have been piling up: stickers in chats that aren’t his usual style, dinner plans with someone he calls "Pee" (older sibling) but their messages are all sweet. I only saw the name and the short text; I don’t want to invade his privacy, but my heart felt like it was being squeezed.

He deletes couple photos a lot. Won’t let me touch his phone when we’re together. There was a faint perfume scent on his shirt collar that I’ve never used. He’s been coming home an hour and a half to two hours later than usual more often. Not to mention one morning he said he had a meeting but came home with a small cardboard box with tissue stained by lipstick. I don’t want to think the worst but I can’t stop thinking and my head hurts.

I’m a jealous person already — we fought about him hanging out with a female friend last year, so now I’m extra paranoid. But I’m also afraid of ruining the relationship, afraid to say the wrong thing and start a huge fight, afraid of getting hurt and hurting him too. I asked him straight out and he said he sorted out some guy stuff and there’s nothing going on, but his voice sounded…not confident, and he avoided my eyes. I’m so confused and hurt T_T

What do you guys think I should do? Confront him again and demand proof, or observe quietly for another week or two and just check small things occasionally? Talk calmly or go hard and test him? I don’t want to destroy the relationship but I’m scared of being betrayed.

P.S. First time posting a thread for real — spent 10 minutes thinking of a title and hit post lolol. Please share your experiences, I want to hear from people who’ve been through this.