For context, we have been dating pretty seriously with the discussion of marriage entering the relationship and have met each other’s families etc. We are very much in love and have the best relationship I’ve ever had so far.
I found screenshots of chats where him and his ex (28F they dated for 5 years, broke up 1.5y ago) had been sexting about 4 months ago in the hidden folder of his photo app which clearly means he was masturbating to these chats and pictures. He also had several pictures and videos of his ex’s nudes in this folder (in here he also stored my nudes which means he actively uses these pictures). When I confronted him about this, he said he has a masturbation and porn addiction (which we have discussed before - masturbating everyday) and does not know why he did that particular day as he was compelled to due to his sex drive and me not physically being there. He also does use his ex’s nudes regularly to jerk off. He says he has absolutely no feelings for his ex and loves me more than he ever did her and wants to spend the rest of his life with me etc etc
I felt incredibly hurt and after some discussion decided I needed some space to think. What would anyone else do in this scenario/is this normal/would you get back with them?
Is this a form of cheating?
TD;LR found boyfriend using ex’s nudes regularly to masturbate in a fulfilled relationship