Why did he cheat if he says he loves me?

People cheat for different reasons: entitlement, opportunity, validation, conflict avoidance, poor boundaries, dissatisfaction, fear of intimacy, or unwillingness to end one relationship before beginning another. Understanding a reason may provide context. It does not turn the reason into an excuse.

Infidelity also exposes questions that existed beneath the event: What was the commitment you both agreed to? Was there secrecy? Has truth been offered voluntarily or only after discovery? Is the person accepting responsibility or shifting the investigation toward your flaws? Is there demonstrated change - or simply urgency to stop the consequences?

In situationships and entanglements, people may avoid defining the relationship while expecting loyalty. That ambiguity can make betrayal harder to name, but it does not make the hurt imaginary. Clear agreements matter. So does the honesty with which both people enter them.

A relationship can sometimes survive infidelity, but survival is not the same as restoration. Restoration requires truth, accountability, transparency, changed behavior, patience with the injured partner's questions, and often qualified counseling. Forgiveness may be part of your healing; automatic access is not required.

Most importantly, his cheating is information about his choices. It is not a measurement of your beauty, femininity, intelligence, sexuality, or value.