No affair, no feelings...is there hope?

[44tries]

That's a good question; maybe you should ask her why she needs the new phone. Is it possible that her current phone doesn't work well with the latest private messaging apps?

Well, her phone has had a completely smashed screen for a few months now and is frankly a piece of crap. She has been talking about getting a new one for a while, but ends up saying "no it's fine I don't NEED it, my phone still does basic functions, and we don't need to spend the money etc". Part of her insistence on avoiding her own needs. So it's not surprising that if she is in an effort to do things for herself, one of the first things would be to get a new phone.

I'm not sure if you are implying she might be trying to message people secretly? I am not concerned about this at all. I know exactly who she messages and when because she refuses to turn off any of her phone noises including the typing sound (very annoying lol). I'm not worried about her having any kind of EA while we are still married, even if she has declared separation. It's simply not her character. That said, my own mother is the last person I thought would ever have an A and she recently did, so I certainly know that anything is possible.