Would you consider this monkey branching or a form of cheating?

[Alxve]

So I left this ex.. but I wanted to know if I was cheated on.
So my ex was verbally abusive and other manipulation tactics.
Here at the end of the relationship. She made a guy friend. Which I was first chill about since friendship. But it soon started to be her place of hangout. I would find her always spending time with this person. At one point i felt mad and neglected.
At that time, we had an conflict. And as usual my ex spent time a lot with this guy probably also seeking conflict emotional support. Whom she called as "Just friends". Hold onto that..
Now I got very upset and neglected. And also adding up the verbal abuse and stonewalling..
I decided to contact my previous ex. I know its not a good decision but I didn't had a proper support system [friends] for me. I never flirted with my previous ex and nothing like I miss you or stuff. I just asked her for advice.
Which my ex got to know and told me that I violate her trust and got out of the relationship.
After 4 days, I find her that she is being flirty with this "Just a guy friend".
After the breakup, she did immediately share her socials with him to chat with him.
So is this the classic monkey branching / emotional Cheating?

[snapkingmatt]

For me, this seems like you just wouldn't have worked out. I see mistrust, control of behavior, defense mechanisms and simply reasoning more out of own interest than out of the interest of your significant other. I understand it must have been weird to see her open up to the other guy, but before that, there's a situation where she didn't feel like she could open up to you.
That said, people are very different and I don't know either of you. This is just an impression.

[Alxve]

Hmm I understand what your point is..
But matter of fact, I wasn't even rude or controlling to her.
Nor I had any anger issues to her.. i always listened to her calmly so I dont see the logic why wouldn't someone wanna discuss.
Plus someone emotional cheating is their own choice but not mine.
They choose to cheat... for their own issues..
We only had issues in the relationship since she was abusive and controlling.

[snapkingmatt]

Well, in that case, aren't you glad it's over? Don't over-analyse it.

[Alxve]

Yes I am, i only ask the question here since I was heavily gaslighted to believe that I was the issue the reason she cheat.
So I wanted some people to tell me the actual reason.
Well found out that, she cheated on by own choice from some people.

[Nikki1989]

There is no such thing. It is simply moving on, but bitter men need to call it something, so some moron came up with the term monkey-branching.

[Alxve]

Monkey branching does exist.
There is no way someone would make a emotional relationship with someone while being in the current relationship.
I dont think its respectful to the current partner.

[sage2021]

Sounds like both to me.

[Alxve]

I thought so too.