Cheating in a relationship can have devastating effects on both the person who was cheated on and the cheater. On an emotional level, cheating can cause feelings of betrayal, hurt, anger, and deep sadness for the person who was cheated on. This may lead to a lack of trust in future relationships and difficulty forming meaningful connections with others. The cheater may also experience guilt and shame over their actions which could damage their self-esteem. Cheating can often lead to physical separation or even divorce if it is not addressed properly. This can cause financial strain as well as disruption of routines that were established during the relationship such as childcare or shared living arrangements. In some cases it could also result in legal issues if the person who was cheated on decides to take action against their partner for breach of contract or adultery laws. Ultimately, cheating in a relationship has many negative consequences that can affect both parties involved for years after the incident occurs.