Life takes unexpected turns, and sometimes those turns lead to mistakes that hurt the people we care about most. Breaking trust through infidelity creates deep wounds that need careful healing. While words alone cannot fix everything, a heartfelt letter of apology can become the first step on the path to rebuilding trust.
The right words matter, especially when trying to express genuine remorse for causing pain to someone you love. Finding those words during such an emotional time can feel impossible. That’s why these sample letters serve as starting points for expressing your sincere regret.
Sample Letters of Apology after Cheating
Here are fifteen sample letters to help guide your own words of apology.
1. Taking Full Responsibility
*Dear Sarah,
Subject: A sincere apology for betraying your trust
My actions have shattered the foundation of trust we built over five years together. You gave me your complete trust and love, and my choice to cheat on you with Rebecca was selfish and wrong. The pain on your face when you discovered my betrayal will haunt me forever.
This letter can’t undo what happened, but please know how deeply sorry and ashamed I am. You deserved so much better than what I did. My weakness and poor judgment have hurt you terribly, and no excuse can justify that.
With deepest regrets,
Michael*
2. Acknowledging the Damage
*Dear James,
Subject: Apologizing for my unfaithfulness
The damage my infidelity caused runs deeper than words can express. You trusted me completely, and I threw that precious gift away. My brief relationship with David was thoughtless and selfish. You built your life around our marriage, and I risked everything we created together.
Please know that my regret is profound and real. While I cannot change the past, I want you to know how sorry I am for causing you this pain. You deserved honesty and faithfulness, and I failed to give you either.
With sincere remorse,
Catherine*
3. Asking for a Chance to Rebuild
*Dear Robert,
Subject: Please let me try to make things right
The hurt and betrayal you must feel because of my actions tear me apart inside. Meeting Tom at those work events and letting things progress beyond friendship was wrong. You gave me your whole heart, and I damaged that gift through my own selfishness.
If you can find it in your heart to consider giving me another chance, I will spend every day proving my remorse is real. I understand earning back your trust will take time, and I am prepared to do whatever it takes.
With deep regret,
Linda*
4. Simple and Direct
*Dear Maria,
Subject: I am truly sorry
There are no fancy words to hide behind. I cheated on you with Steven, and it was wrong. You trusted me, loved me, and believed in me. I betrayed all of that through my selfish choices.
The pain I caused you weighs heavily on my conscience. While I cannot undo my actions, please know my regret runs deep and true. You deserved complete faithfulness, and I failed to give you that.
Sincerely sorry,
Daniel*
5. Expressing Deep Shame
*Dear William,
Subject: Apologizing for my betrayal
The shame I carry for cheating on you with Paul feels unbearable, yet it’s nothing compared to the pain you must feel. You gave me your complete trust and devotion. My actions destroyed that sacred bond between us.
Each day since you discovered my unfaithfulness has been filled with regret. The loving husband you were deserved so much better than what I did. My poor choices have caused damage that words alone cannot fix.
With profound remorse,
Jennifer*
6. Acknowledging Lost Trust
*Dear Lisa,
Subject: I know I broke your trust
Trust takes years to build but only moments to break. My decision to pursue a relationship with Mark while married to you was selfish and wrong. You placed your complete faith in me, and I carelessly threw that precious gift away.
The pain in your eyes when you learned about my betrayal showed me the true cost of my actions. While I cannot undo the past, please know how deeply sorry I am for hurting you this way.
Filled with regret,
Thomas*
7. Taking Complete Blame
*Dear Christopher,
Subject: The fault lies entirely with me
My choice to cheat on you with Andrew was mine alone. You did nothing to cause or deserve this betrayal. Your love and dedication to our marriage were constant and true. The fault lies completely with my own weakness and selfishness.
The damage my actions caused to your trust and our relationship weighs heavily on my heart. While words feel inadequate, please know my regret is deep and genuine.
With sincere apologies,
Rachel*
8. Promising Change
*Dear Patricia,
Subject: My promise to change
The trust and love you gave me deserved better than my betrayal with Kevin. My actions were thoughtless and selfish, causing pain to someone who showed me nothing but devotion. Your discovery of my infidelity revealed the true cost of my poor choices.
Should you find room in your heart to allow me to prove myself, I promise to spend every day showing you real change. My remorse runs deep, and my commitment to rebuilding your trust would be complete.
With deepest regrets,
Steven*
9. Short but Heartfelt
*Dear Richard,
Subject: From my heart to yours
The simple truth is that I cheated, and it was wrong. My relationship with Susan hurt you deeply, damaging the trust you placed in me. No excuses or lengthy explanations can justify my actions.
Your pain cuts me to my core. While these words may seem small against the damage done, please know my regret is real and deep.
Truly sorry,
Karen*
10. Accepting Consequences
*Dear Michelle,
Subject: I accept the consequences
My decision to cheat on you with Brian carried consequences I must now face. The hurt and betrayal you feel come from my selfish choices alone. You gave me your complete trust, and I failed to honor that gift.
Your anger and pain are valid responses to my actions. While I hope someday you might forgive me, I understand that my choices may have permanently damaged what we had.
With sincere regret,
David*
11. Asking for Forgiveness
*Dear Joseph,
Subject: Seeking your forgiveness
The weight of my betrayal with Emma grows heavier each day. You trusted me completely, and I broke that trust through my own selfish choices. The pain my actions caused you haunts my thoughts constantly.
Your forgiveness may take time or never come at all. Either way, please know my remorse is genuine and deep. The loving husband you were deserved much better than what I did.
With heartfelt sorrow,
Amanda*
12. Expressing Deep Regret
*Dear Jessica,
Subject: My deepest regrets
The choice to betray our marriage through my relationship with Michael fills me with deep regret. You loved me truly and completely, asking only for faithfulness in return. My selfish actions broke that sacred trust between us.
Each morning brings fresh awareness of the pain I caused you. While words feel small against such hurt, please know my remorse runs true and deep.
Sincerely yours,
Robert*
13. Acknowledging the Pain
*Dear Timothy,
Subject: I see your pain
Your pain because of my betrayal with Carol shows clearly on your face. The trust you gave me deserved protection and respect, not the selfish choices I made. My actions damaged something precious between us.
Please know that seeing your hurt tears me apart inside. While these words may seem inadequate, my regret for causing you such pain runs deep and true.
With sincere apologies,
Margaret*
14. Simple Truth
*Dear Elizabeth,
Subject: The simple truth
The facts stand plain and clear. I cheated on you with Daniel, breaking the trust you placed in me. My actions were selfish and wrong, causing pain to someone who showed me complete love and devotion.
No fancy words can hide the truth of what I did. Please know that my regret runs deep, and the shame of hurting you weighs heavily on my heart.
Truly sorry,
William*
15. Final Thoughts
*Dear Anthony,
Subject: My final thoughts
The trust you gave me deserved better than my betrayal with Sarah. Your love was constant and true, while my actions were selfish and wrong. The pain my choices caused you shows clearly in your eyes.
My regret runs deeper than words can express. While I cannot change the past, please know that my remorse is genuine and complete.
With deepest apologies,
Rebecca*
Wrap-up
A letter of apology after cheating requires honesty, sincerity, and complete acceptance of responsibility. These sample letters demonstrate different approaches to expressing genuine remorse. While each situation carries unique circumstances, the key elements remain constant. Take responsibility, show genuine remorse, and respect the other person’s feelings. Most importantly, understand that a letter marks only the beginning of a long process of healing and rebuilding trust.