Hi everyone, I’d like an unbiased perspective on a situation from my relationship…
I had a long-term online friend (7+ years) that I would game with and watch shows/movies (anime, kdramas, horror movies) with online. My boyfriend knew about this friend from the beginning, we’d never met in person. He had also told me he’d been cheated on in a past relationship, so I knew that was something that affected him.
At one point, my boyfriend said he wasn’t comfortable with me watching shows with this friend anymore. I agreed, even though I didn’t fully agree and didn’t want conflict.
Later, I occasionally watched shows or gamed with my friend again. I didn’t intentionally hide it, I would sometimes be on the phone or texting my boyfriend while doing those things, but I also didn’t proactively bring it up again.
Eventually, my boyfriend went through my phone, found out, and said I cheated. It hurt him deeply, and I felt really bad knowing his past. I ended up cutting my friend off because I wanted to make things work.
I understand I handled the situation poorly and should’ve communicated better instead of agreeing and then going back on it. But there was no romantic or sexual intent, and my boyfriend already knew about the friend.
Would you consider this cheating, or more of a boundary/communication issue?