Jam jar and mascara swipes: Unusual Clues that led Shakira and Others to uncover infidelity

The story has gained traction online. An example from a TikTok user: "When I found out how Shakira discovered that Piqué was betraying her," the user showed in a video how she marks the level of jam, oil, and hot sauce.

Stories of infidelity discovered through seemingly insignificant signs like a jar of jam can appear amusing. However, online forums are filled with women sharing heartbreaking stories of discovering their partner's extracurricular activities.

"Colors made me suspicious," Magda (name changed - ed.) confesses. After a 10-year relationship with her boyfriend, they decided to get married. Living abroad, arranging the ceremony and the wedding was a difficult task. Fortunately, Magda could count on the assistance of Kasia, her long-time friend. The two couples formed a close-knit circle.

They returned to Poland a year later to celebrate their first wedding anniversary with their friends, including Kasia and her husband. A few drinks later, Magda slipped off to bed, and Kasia's husband went shopping with her the next day.

"Two days later, we left Poland again. And then it hit me. Something felt odd," Magda recalls. She noticed her husband's sudden change in clothing colors, preferring shades he'd previously disliked: bright orange and teal. These were the same colors Kasia's husband wore.

Magda's husband started visiting the gym and made frequent trips to Poland, supposedly to see his mother, who lived in the same city as Kasia and her husband. His excuses distanced Magda from these trips, claiming they were brief and he'd return soon.

Magda later discovered that her husband stayed with his friend instead of his mother: "I had an unsettling feeling. I shared my concerns with Kasia, but she advised me not to overthink it and assured me he loved me."

Suspicions turned to reality when a string of messages between her husband and Kasia confirmed their secret relationship. "It was like a slap in the face. But the relief I felt was just as strong. At least I wasn't going mad," Magda recollects. After confronting her husband, Magda ended their relationship and reached out to Dominik. "I felt betrayed by my best friend and my husband. It was tough, but I dusted myself off. Now, I have a fiancé and two sons who I love more than life," she concludes, crediting her initial suspicions to the change in clothing colors.

While minor signals raised alarm for Magda, for Agnieszka, it was blatant evidence. She met her boyfriend on a dating app and began dating last year. Although everything looked promising at first, she gradually noticed red flags. "He didn't want me interacting with friends, and he restricted my clothing choices," she says. It was only later she realized it was an abusive relationship and was constantly making excuses for him.

She gradually grew suspicious of his fidelity, hearing notifications from the dating app. Despite confronting him, she was met with arguments and gaslighting – he constantly denied everything and blamed her.

One morning as she prepared for work, Agnieszka found mascara in the bathroom – a product she doesn't use due to her lash extensions. Despite her boyfriend's persistent attempts to convince her it was hers, a heated argument led to their break-up.

"Cheating is not only a jolt to the deceived partner's sense of security, but it also carries tension for the unfaithful one," explains Angelika Szelągowska-Mironiuk, a psychologist and psychotherapist. They may sometimes try to resolve this internal conflict unconsciously. Unusual cases of exposed infidelity demonstrate this."

A specific example of such exposure is a woman who left a book on her table as a token from her extramarital lover. It contained a spicy dedication discovered by her husband. The woman confessed during a crisis intervention that she desired that her husband discovered her infidelity as a way to 'punish him' for neglecting her sexually.

Another reason for leaving traces behind may be the belief that the partner won't leave even if infidelity is discovered. This occurs in abusive relationships where the cheated one feels something is amiss in the relationship. The psychologist also opines that sometimes, the act of leaving traces could be due to distraction and lack of anticipation of the repercussions.

Victoria's story is an example where the unfaithful partner denied actions categorically. Her relationship of three years ended due to beads from a broken bracelet found in a car, accompanied by long blonde hair – evidence her boyfriend tried to dismiss by attributing to her. A glimpse of her boyfriend with another woman in the city confirmed her suspicions. This discovery led to a typical Hollywood breakup, with the unfaithful man ending up alone.

The aftermath of discovered infidelity relies on several factors including the remorse of the cheating partner, professed moral values, the affair's circumstances, and emotional involvement in both relationships. Angelika Szelągowska-Mironiuk emphasizes that it is possible to rebuild the relationship if the cheater takes responsibility for their actions and reflects on the cause of their unfaithfulness. The choice to forgive and trust again, or to discontinue the relationship lies with the cheated partner.

The expert also addresses the importance of dealing with health implications, "A necessary step upon discovering sexual infidelity is undergoing tests for sexually transmitted diseases."