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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

my husband is in love with another woman.

359 replies

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 18:59

Sorry this is a name change and a long one so as not to drip feed. I would like to hear people’s opinions as I am considering leaving my DH as he is in love with someone else, lets call her Sarah. He has known Sarah since they were 4 years old. Their parents and grandparents were all friends.She is who is parents thought he should and would marry and she is utterly adored by his who family. She called his parents mum and dad. My husband claims they were never an item (although he wished they were) and they have only kissed once when they were teenagers. She’s nothing to look at but has done very well in her career. We are now all in our late 50s.
This is a second marriage for both me and DH. I met him and his DW at work. I was friends with his DW1 and she would often speak about Sarah and how much she hated her and how she had banned her husband from ever contacting her. When DH marriage broke up, I was already divorced and we started seeing each other. Unfortunately in the job we do this is utterly banned and within 2 weeks we were discovered and he was sacked on the spot. He also lost his home at the same time as it went with the job. I was protected because he was my boss and so was considered a victim. DH had to move in with me and I supported him while he searched for a new career. I wanted a commitment from him and he proposed in a very theatrical way within 6 months of us getting together and it was wonderful – or so I thought.

It turned out that he had immediately got in contact with Sarah when his marriage failed and was messaging her several times a day. They also met up at her house. She told him not to marry me. At this point I understood why DW1 hated her. We got married anyway. It’s fair to say it’s been a pretty tempestuous union. My career has skyrocketed and I’ve moved up through the ranks. He’s struggled to find work and earns now a fraction of what he did when we worked together. I knew that he still thought about her and once he called out her name during sex.
When his mother died Sarah turned up at the funeral. I was furious that she should insert herself into our family grief. When DH father died a few years later she also came to that funeral and had the cheek to bring her husband and child as well. I told him in no uncertain terms that if he spoke to her there that the marriage would be over. She glared at me the whole time.
After the funeral I said he could never speak to Sarah again and told him to remove all social media links to her. I don’t understand why Sarah’s husband hadn’t stopped them speaking to each other.
It’s been 6 years and I really thought she was out of our lives and then on NYE his phone pinged.I checked his phone and it was a text from Sarah saying HNY. I then realised she is never going to be gone from our lives. Our respective kids are almost grown up. AIBU to think now is the time to call this a day. I’ve never even spoken to this woman and yet I want to kill her. I hate what she has done to my marriage. Do I really want to spend the last part of my life with a man who is in love with someone else?

OP posts:
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Goingootforawalk · 16/01/2026 22:23

I’d hate any woman whose name my husband called out during sex.

I wouldn’t, I’d hate my husband if I hated anyone. Or at least be really upset by him and worry about our relationship.

I don’t get the idea of hating a woman because the man I’m with may harbour fantasies for.

Sleepysleepycoffeecoffee · 16/01/2026 20:38

Oncloud918 · 10/01/2026 20:21

'Except that your husband called out her name during sex'

There are some extremely liberal views floating around 😂

😂 yes I just realised that sounds ridiculous. I’d hate any woman whose name my husband called out during sex. I just meant that from the OP posts it seems like much more has gone on considering how angry she is, and wondered if she wasn’t telling us everything that has happened

DeepBlueDeer · 12/01/2026 23:17

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 21:28

They kissed and OP said he told her he would have gone with her if given the chance. That's the same imo. Her in-laws have made it clear they wanted Sarah to be 'the one'
It's no wonder she feels threatened and hurt by the fact she is playing second fiddle in their eyes. It should all just stop & her DH should put an end to it.

Edited

"It should all just stop & her DH should put an end to it."
He has, per OP's demand, deleted Sarah from all social media and - as best we can tell - has not been in touch with her for 6 years (since blanking her at the funeral).

I don't think you can reasonably blame him for not having the phone number blocked - for one, you wouldn't necessarily expect someone you've cut out to reach out (I've cut people out before, but have never needed to block a phone number).

On top of that, blocking numbers is usually handset-specific (not a network thing) so even if he had blocked it 6 years ago, he'd need to reblock the number on each new handset (ironically meaning that he needs to keep the number).

I don't think he can reasonably demand that his siblings cut her out, if she's their lifelong friend too.

OMGitsnotgood · 12/01/2026 21:52

He’s been married twice, neither time to Sarah. Surely if he was in love with her, and she was interested in him romantically, they would have been together by now. Sounds like they are life long friends, and she would of course attend funerals of his family, she was close to them. Far from it being a cheek that ahe brought her family to a funeral, I’d think that should be more reassuring to you that she wasn’t attending behind her husband’s back.
FWIW I’d be advising a friend against rushing into marriage too.

Igneococcus · 12/01/2026 21:48

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 21:28

They kissed and OP said he told her he would have gone with her if given the chance. That's the same imo. Her in-laws have made it clear they wanted Sarah to be 'the one'
It's no wonder she feels threatened and hurt by the fact she is playing second fiddle in their eyes. It should all just stop & her DH should put an end to it.

Edited

They have known each other since they were four years old, they kissed once when they were teenagers and they are all in their late 50s now and they haven't had any contact at all for the past six years. If Sarah (who is married with children) really wants OP's husband she is hiding it well. I wish we could ask Sarah what she thinks about all this.
I can barely remember the boys I kissed during my teens.

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 21:28

DeepBlueDeer · 12/01/2026 15:38

Sarah isn't a previous partner.

DH's parents are dead.

They kissed and OP said he told her he would have gone with her if given the chance. That's the same imo. Her in-laws have made it clear they wanted Sarah to be 'the one'
It's no wonder she feels threatened and hurt by the fact she is playing second fiddle in their eyes. It should all just stop & her DH should put an end to it.

spacemantravelling · 12/01/2026 17:30

Wishimaywishimight · 10/01/2026 19:19

You walked into this with your eyes wide open. It is difficult for you, of course, but hardly surprising?

I doubt she will ever be out of your lives, up to you if you want to spend the rest of your life like this.

She’s not in your life, she’s in his which is exactly where he wants her. He’s settling for scraps and crumbs from her while you settle for the same from him.

ldnmusic87 · 12/01/2026 17:28

She will always be the 'Rebecca' in your marriage.

TheSmallAssassin · 12/01/2026 17:22

Why wouldn't your husband's family still see Sarah if they'd grown up with her/known her all her and their lives? She's not an ex-girlfriend and she obviously isn't still "his one".

I really do you think you are thinking irrationally about this - as a previous poster says it's unlikely anyone else knows what you are worrying about. It might be worth getting some counselling on your own to talk all this through?

Brightlittlecanary · 12/01/2026 17:17

Igneococcus · 12/01/2026 16:22

I'm not convinced Sarah even knows what distress she is causing OP. She's probably not giving OP's husband all that much thought on a day to day basis.

Agree and likely has no idea why the op didn’t want her ar her in-laws funeral.

the op is clearly jealous and insecure, but I fail to see what Sarah has done here, or even her husband,

Igneococcus · 12/01/2026 16:22

I'm not convinced Sarah even knows what distress she is causing OP. She's probably not giving OP's husband all that much thought on a day to day basis.

SALaw · 12/01/2026 15:48

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 14:47

How awful for you OP. My son was serious about a lovely girl for around 2 years. We were very fond of her and treated her like one of our family They were far too young & eventually parted. He is happily married to a girl we love even more. There is no way we would continue a relationship with his previous partner unless children were involved & it was unavoidable. Your DH parents should have more respect for you & distance themselves from this relationship as should Sarah when she blatantly knows her presence upsets you. The whole thing is very unfair on you. I would have a serious chat with your DH in the hope his parents will put an end to this nonsense. She has her own husband's family, she doesn't need yours.

Edited

She isn’t an ex girlfriend. She’s a very close family friend via her own parents and OP’s in laws. If your parents had best pals with a child who was brought up with you, you wouldn’t cut them off when you married someone!

SALaw · 12/01/2026 15:47

ponytailcapbadge · 12/01/2026 12:11

thank you everyone. This has been somewhat of a unique therapy session but after a weekend to think about things, maybe I can admit I am insecure. I think it feels like Sarah has never left the building probably because DH's family still talk about her a lot. They adore her (and still see her) and I guess I dont feel the same level of love towards me and actually I wonder at times if they are laughing behind my back because they know she was "his one". My husband tells me he loves me all the time but I can't help but wonder if I'm second best. I definitely dont need him financially but I do love him and still want him. I need to do a lot of thinking.

His family adore her and see her and yet you don’t understand why she attended both his parents’ funerals when she’d known them her whole life and considered them additional parents?!? You’re very very odd, OP.

SALaw · 12/01/2026 15:45

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 19:40

ok I admit we did get together when technically he was still married ,but their marriage was over, she was extremely abusive towards him and I was a shoulder to cry on and developed from that. What I'm struggling with is why wont Sarah just leave him alone. She knows I dont like her. She knows that he is meant to be no contact with him. Why doesnt she stick with her own husband rather than messaging mine? i cant sleep since I saw that text. It makes me wonder what else is going on.

She knows you don’t like her? You say you’ve never spoken to her!! How do YOU even know you don’t like her? You’ve not said anything she’s done wrong. Maybe your husband is in love with her, maybe not, but you’ve not said anything that indicates the feeling is mutual.

Sartre · 12/01/2026 15:44

I’d say she’s the one who got away but they had an opportunity to get together once he divorced his first wife and for whatever reason, your H kept her in the wings but still married you. If he truly wanted to be with her, I’m sure he would have made it happen then if not the first time when they were young and he married his first wife…

Really odd that he not only didn’t make it happen with her on both occasions when he easily could have, but that he’s still kept her hanging on in the background of both marriages. He’s the wanker ultimately.

DeepBlueDeer · 12/01/2026 15:38

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 14:47

How awful for you OP. My son was serious about a lovely girl for around 2 years. We were very fond of her and treated her like one of our family They were far too young & eventually parted. He is happily married to a girl we love even more. There is no way we would continue a relationship with his previous partner unless children were involved & it was unavoidable. Your DH parents should have more respect for you & distance themselves from this relationship as should Sarah when she blatantly knows her presence upsets you. The whole thing is very unfair on you. I would have a serious chat with your DH in the hope his parents will put an end to this nonsense. She has her own husband's family, she doesn't need yours.

Edited

Sarah isn't a previous partner.

DH's parents are dead.

Oncloud918 · 12/01/2026 14:47

ponytailcapbadge · 12/01/2026 12:11

thank you everyone. This has been somewhat of a unique therapy session but after a weekend to think about things, maybe I can admit I am insecure. I think it feels like Sarah has never left the building probably because DH's family still talk about her a lot. They adore her (and still see her) and I guess I dont feel the same level of love towards me and actually I wonder at times if they are laughing behind my back because they know she was "his one". My husband tells me he loves me all the time but I can't help but wonder if I'm second best. I definitely dont need him financially but I do love him and still want him. I need to do a lot of thinking.

How awful for you OP. My son was serious about a lovely girl for around 2 years. We were very fond of her and treated her like one of our family They were far too young & eventually parted. He is happily married to a girl we love even more. There is no way we would continue a relationship with his previous partner unless children were involved & it was unavoidable. Your DH parents should have more respect for you & distance themselves from this relationship as should Sarah when she blatantly knows her presence upsets you. The whole thing is very unfair on you. I would have a serious chat with your DH in the hope his parents will put an end to this nonsense. She has her own husband's family, she doesn't need yours.

ponytailcapbadge · 12/01/2026 12:11

thank you everyone. This has been somewhat of a unique therapy session but after a weekend to think about things, maybe I can admit I am insecure. I think it feels like Sarah has never left the building probably because DH's family still talk about her a lot. They adore her (and still see her) and I guess I dont feel the same level of love towards me and actually I wonder at times if they are laughing behind my back because they know she was "his one". My husband tells me he loves me all the time but I can't help but wonder if I'm second best. I definitely dont need him financially but I do love him and still want him. I need to do a lot of thinking.

OP posts:
Orangemintcream · 11/01/2026 20:12

I don’t believe half of this.

Anyone who is this much of a fool deserves all they get tbh.

DeepBlueDeer · 11/01/2026 20:04

DarkForces · 11/01/2026 19:50

If someone ignored me at their mother's funeral I'd put it down to grief. She had her husband and children there for support. I wouldn't even notice being blocked on socials. I would never assume someone fancied me let alone loved me. I doubt I'm unique!

I think most people probably would notice if a lifelong friend ceased contacting them (with silenece continuing for a number of years) and had blocked them on social media tbh. And isn't it normal etiquette for funeral goers to briefly speak to the deceased's family? I've always spoken to every guest at a family member's funeral, even if only for a couple of minutes.

There's no obvious reason for Sarah to assume DH is in love with her, though. I doubt it's even true that he is. Even if it were true that DH had ever been in love with Sarah (which, again, there's little reason to believe), the OP's thread title and the post itself is an unhinged reaction to DH receiving a generic holiday text.

I agree Sarah has nothing wrong.

I don't think DH has done anything wrong, in relation to Sarah, and there's no good reason to think he's in love with her.

OP seems dreadful.

Tulcan · 11/01/2026 20:00

Mumtobabyhavoc · 11/01/2026 18:41

No, but if you are married you cut contact.

She’s sent him a text, that’s it. And gone to two funerals, which I don’t think can be counted as contact.

Missj25 · 11/01/2026 19:54

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 18:59

Sorry this is a name change and a long one so as not to drip feed. I would like to hear people’s opinions as I am considering leaving my DH as he is in love with someone else, lets call her Sarah. He has known Sarah since they were 4 years old. Their parents and grandparents were all friends.She is who is parents thought he should and would marry and she is utterly adored by his who family. She called his parents mum and dad. My husband claims they were never an item (although he wished they were) and they have only kissed once when they were teenagers. She’s nothing to look at but has done very well in her career. We are now all in our late 50s.
This is a second marriage for both me and DH. I met him and his DW at work. I was friends with his DW1 and she would often speak about Sarah and how much she hated her and how she had banned her husband from ever contacting her. When DH marriage broke up, I was already divorced and we started seeing each other. Unfortunately in the job we do this is utterly banned and within 2 weeks we were discovered and he was sacked on the spot. He also lost his home at the same time as it went with the job. I was protected because he was my boss and so was considered a victim. DH had to move in with me and I supported him while he searched for a new career. I wanted a commitment from him and he proposed in a very theatrical way within 6 months of us getting together and it was wonderful – or so I thought.

It turned out that he had immediately got in contact with Sarah when his marriage failed and was messaging her several times a day. They also met up at her house. She told him not to marry me. At this point I understood why DW1 hated her. We got married anyway. It’s fair to say it’s been a pretty tempestuous union. My career has skyrocketed and I’ve moved up through the ranks. He’s struggled to find work and earns now a fraction of what he did when we worked together. I knew that he still thought about her and once he called out her name during sex.
When his mother died Sarah turned up at the funeral. I was furious that she should insert herself into our family grief. When DH father died a few years later she also came to that funeral and had the cheek to bring her husband and child as well. I told him in no uncertain terms that if he spoke to her there that the marriage would be over. She glared at me the whole time.
After the funeral I said he could never speak to Sarah again and told him to remove all social media links to her. I don’t understand why Sarah’s husband hadn’t stopped them speaking to each other.
It’s been 6 years and I really thought she was out of our lives and then on NYE his phone pinged.I checked his phone and it was a text from Sarah saying HNY. I then realised she is never going to be gone from our lives. Our respective kids are almost grown up. AIBU to think now is the time to call this a day. I’ve never even spoken to this woman and yet I want to kill her. I hate what she has done to my marriage. Do I really want to spend the last part of my life with a man who is in love with someone else?

You married him after 6 months
Case closed .

DarkForces · 11/01/2026 19:50

DeepBlueDeer · 11/01/2026 19:44

While there's no reason to think DH is in love with Sarah (that seems to be OP's jealousy and paranoia - partially understandable due to wrong name incident), Sarah must know that DH is forbidden from speaking to her, given that he's suddenly stopped speaking to her (including shunning her at his father's funeral) and has deleted her from socials. Even if DH hasnt told her it's because of OP's demands, she can presumably figure it out.

That said, I can still understand her sending a generic text after several years. In her shoes, I'd be worried her friend has found himself in an abusive relationship (which I think is indeed the case...).

Edited

If someone ignored me at their mother's funeral I'd put it down to grief. She had her husband and children there for support. I wouldn't even notice being blocked on socials. I would never assume someone fancied me let alone loved me. I doubt I'm unique!

Grapewrath · 11/01/2026 19:50

Sarah isn’t the problem, she’s not besotted with your DH the way he is with her (if he is because this could also be your perception)
Shes been a family friend for longer than you’ve been around so the funerals were perfectly fine to attend.
Get rid of your husband- if you’re so worried that you’re having to dictate his friends the relationship is dead and you are being controlling

DeepBlueDeer · 11/01/2026 19:44

DarkForces · 11/01/2026 19:26

How would she know? If any of my male friends announced they loved me I'd cut them out and tell dh but I certainly don't flatter myself to imagine they are.

While there's no reason to think DH is in love with Sarah (that seems to be OP's jealousy and paranoia - partially understandable due to wrong name incident), Sarah must know that DH is forbidden from speaking to her, given that he's suddenly stopped speaking to her (including shunning her at his father's funeral) and has deleted her from socials. Even if DH hasnt told her it's because of OP's demands, she can presumably figure it out.

That said, I can still understand her sending a generic text after several years. In her shoes, I'd be worried her friend has found himself in an abusive relationship (which I think is indeed the case...).

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