This is just one example:
On DDay, 7 years ago, I didn't have a lot of evidence. I asked to read their messages, and there were only a few suspicious ones. One of the messages was especially suspicious, and it was that message that kept me pushing for the full truth all these years. They were on a work trip. At around 4AM he sent her a message "What is your room number?" She didn't reply.
I asked why he sent that. I thought the truth is he wanted to hook up with her. I thought the truth is there was much more going on than he was telling me. His replies:
Spring 2017: The truth is we all were partying that night. I got blackout drunk. I don't remember anything. I don't remember sending that. I don't remember why I sent that. There was nothing going on, we were just friends. I don't even find her attractive.
Summer 2017: The truth is we were all partying that night. I got blackout drunk. I fell asleep. I woke up and realized they were gone. I thought they went somewhere else, perhaps to her room. That's why I asked that. I don't remember it clearly, but nothing was going on. I don't even find her attractive. I just worded the message poorly (because I was drunk), I should've asked "Where are you?"
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021: mostly sticking to the reply above + minor changes.
January 2022: The truth is we were all partying that night. I got blackout drunk. I fell asleep. I woke up and realized they were gone. Around that time, she was sending me mixed signals, I thought she's into me. I sent that message because I wanted to see whether I have a shot with her. I only wanted to see whether I still "got it". Around that time, I was depressed, I lacked self-confidence, I felt unattractive. I only wanted to see whether some other woman beside you finds me attractive. If she had replied, that would be enough. I wouldn't cheat, that is my boundary. There was nothing going on. I didn't even find her attractive.
March 2022: The truth is we were all partying that night. I got blackout drunk. I fell asleep. I woke up and realized they were gone. Around that time, she was sending me mixed signals, I thought she's into me. I sent that message because I wanted to see whether I have a shot with her. I wanted to see whether I still "got it". However, it looks like I also had a crush on her. Around that time, I was thinking about her a lot, and wanted to spend more time with her. I actually dismissed the thought that I'm crushing on her. I didn't find her attractive. I just wanted to see what she thinks of me. I saw that as a good opportunity to find out. I don't know what would happen if she had replied. I don't think I would go and cheat on you. It would become "too real".
September 2022: The truth is around that time, she was sending me mixed signals, I thought she's into me. I thought the work trip is a good opportunity to find out what she thinks of me. I had a crush on her. Before we went to the party, I gave myself permission to cheat. I told myself, if an opportunity arises, I will go for it. She pretty much ignored me the whole evening. Then I got blackout drunk, fell asleep, and when I woke up, I thought to myself "I didn't get an answer". That's why I sent that. I don't know what would happen if she had replied. Most likely, I would cheat but I can't tell that for certain. I didn't find her attractive, but she wasn't repulsive either. I didn't have feelings for her.
October-December 2022: The truth is around that time, she was sending me mixed signals, I thought she's into me. I thought the work trip is a good opportunity to find out what she thinks of me. I had a crush on her. Before we went to the party, I gave myself permission to cheat. I told myself, if an opportunity arises, I will go for it. She pretty much ignored me the whole evening. Then I got blackout drunk, fell asleep, and when I woke up, I thought to myself "I didn't get an answer". That's why I sent that. I had feelings for her that made her look attractive. If she had replied, I would most likely cheat.
April 2024: (I don't even want to write it down, as it hurts too much.)
Basically, he wanted to hook up with her, and there was much more going on than he was telling me on DDay.
So, you see, it's not the trickle-truth since I "knew" the truth from the start. He just wasn't confirming it.