We're literally sitting in our hotel bed on vacation and his iPad just buzzed with a Tinder message asking 'still up for tonight?'. My stomach completely dropped. We agreed to be exclusive two months ago, stopped using condoms, and both swore we got tested. Now I'm sitting here feeling sick to my stomach and terrified. Do I wake him up, and what do I even do about getting tested now?

Take a slow breath, step away from the iPad, and consider condoms strictly non-negotiable from this exact second. What you're feeling isn't dramatic—it’s the sickening shock of discovering someone gambled with your physical health. Dropping protection requires absolute trust; sneaking around on dating apps while promising exclusivity isn't just shady situationship behaviour, it's reckless with your body. Don't torture yourself watching him sleep until sunrise. When you’re ready, keep your voice steady and drop the reality check: "I saw the Tinder ping on your screen. We’re done being intimate without protection, and I need the truth about what you've exposed me to." First priority: protect yourself. Head to a local sexual health clinic or pharmacy abroad if you need emergency advice, emergency contraception, or want to discuss PEP if there was high-risk exposure within the last 72 hours. Once home, schedule a full STI screen—remembering that bacterial infections show up after about two weeks, while HIV and syphilis take a bit longer to test accurately. The holiday might be ruined, but your peace of mind doesn't have to be. Protect your body and let him finish his vacation solo.