Partner of 16 yrs cheated on me w coworker
My partner (butch) and I (F) have been together for 16 yrs, married for 4. For the record, we’ve been pretty steady, happy, and very content with everything we have right now.
Back story, she has a coworker and suddenly became close. At first i was okay with it until i noticed how they always text each other out of work and just by glancing it’s like paragraph after paragraph. Then they hang out after work with some friends too, and at times she drives her home. Im very lenient with her like i dont check her phone but the closeness is sometimes crossing how uncomfortable i am. I do know that it’s impossible to not cross each other’s paths as they are coworkers but what i am asking is keep the relationship more professional. I did voice it out many times but the response would be is that it’s impossible as they literally are work partners and if she doesnt drive her home at times what would her partner feel like there’s no excuse kind of situation.
Last week of june, my workplace had a celebration in one of the bars in town and honestly was hesitant to go because im not feeling great and dont drink much. But she was telling me to go and it’s good to have a life outside the house so i did. Her plan was that since i might drink a little, she’ll hangout with some friends then if i need to go home she’ll pick me up so for me it sounds like a good plan. Long story short, i found out that after she dropped me off, she went home to shower, then she picked up her work partner, and hung out, drove home to our place (our dog needed meds), then went back in town to meet other friends and i wasnt aware of this until i checked her phone last night.
Also, over the weekend i noticed how she has been texting during our date and i didnt bother asking but she just said that she’s talking to her sister and they wanted to catch up so im like of course go talk to her she needs you so i didnt bother but i had a hunch because she couldnt let go of her phone. That night, when she fell asleep, i checked her phone and found these messages with her work partner.
Is this cheating? She said she was tempted because her partner is kind of boosting her ego or some sort but im just too heartbroken because i know deep down in my heart that im such a good person to her.. i feel so betrayed and hurt knowing that she was texting her beside me. Should i leave the relationship?