AITJ for breaking up after finding flirty messages even though they insist it wasn’t physical?

I had a gut feeling something was off for a while. Not enough to accuse, just enough to notice changes. My partner was more protective of their phone. More distracted. Less present.

One night, while they were asleep, I saw a notification pop up from someone I didn’t recognize. The preview was flirty. I looked.

The messages weren’t explicit, but they crossed lines. Compliments, inside jokes, emotional intimacy. Things I thought were reserved for us.

When I confronted them, they admitted it but insisted nothing physical happened. They said it was harmless and helped them feel validated during a stressful time.

They begged me not to end the relationship over something that didn’t involve cheating in their eyes.

But to me, it did.

Trust isn’t just about bodies. It’s about emotional boundaries.

They said I was throwing away years of history over messages.

I said I was choosing myself over constant doubt.

AITJ for ending it even though it wasn’t physical?