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AIBU?

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AIBU for not caring after friend read private messages and got upset?

61 replies

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:09

My friend read private messages between me and their partner and is extremely upset.

I have been friends with both parties for 5 years, I considered myself extremely close with my friend but also friends with their partner, a few months ago my friend was clearly unhappy in their relationship and announced that they were having an affair, it was worded very vaguely so I don't know what level of physical it was and made it clear that I did not want to know because I was friends with both parties, they then backtracked and said it wasn't physical.

My friend works long hours whilst partner looks after the children, I started to notice friend making out that partner was terrible to be around when talking to others, wanting more time with friend, being stressed all the time and asking for more help with the children, not doing enough housework, being grumpy about friend attending so many work events etc, it didn't quite reflect what I was seeing but I don't know what goes on behind closed doors.

During this time I got pregnant and withdrew, I had a really rough and scary time and barely heard from friend, but partner stayed in touch, they separated and things stayed amicable for a while but it got pretty messy, friend is saying they've been kicked out, partner is saying they haven't at all just asked not to sleep in bed together, partner has no idea what to do about finances as everything is in friends name, friend is sleeping at work and threatening 50/50 custody when this isn't feasible due to work.
Meanwhile friend is now with the person they were having an affair with but not telling partner this is the case.

A few weeks ago I was seriously ill and partner rushed me into hospital, I didn't hear anything from friend, not a peep, I nearly died and my friend was silent.

This resulted in me venting over messages with partner as we've both been hurt in different ways by friend, they weren't nice to read so when friend messaged me a string of bizarre justifications I knew they'd read them and they are very hurt.

AIBU that I actually don't care, when explaining that their actions had hurt me I just got more explanations as to why and how terrible friend had it.

OP posts:
Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 10:36

LBFseBrom · 26/08/2026 10:34

Lots of theirs, thems, they've. It's confusing, they have children so are presumably a he and a she.

Yes, she's had the affair and asked me to lie to him.

OP posts:
LBFseBrom · 26/08/2026 10:34

Lots of theirs, thems, they've. It's confusing, they have children so are presumably a he and a she.

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 10:34

Restlessdreams1994 · 26/08/2026 10:30

So you were friends with someone, then became friends with her partner, then slagged her off to her partner behind her back and now she’s found out?

I don’t think anyone has behaved well here tbh. You’re not a friend to her and it sounds like she isn’t much of one to you either so just let it go and move on.

No I was friends with both of them, partner is main carer so spent a lot of family time with him and more time with her at work. Close with both.

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danglethedingle · 26/08/2026 10:33

Ffs, just stop being friends with her. I could not be arsed with all this drama.

Restlessdreams1994 · 26/08/2026 10:30

So you were friends with someone, then became friends with her partner, then slagged her off to her partner behind her back and now she’s found out?

I don’t think anyone has behaved well here tbh. You’re not a friend to her and it sounds like she isn’t much of one to you either so just let it go and move on.

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 10:29

DahliaDelights · 26/08/2026 10:15

So instead of validating the feeling of the person who brought them to you, you instead DARVO and say "oh well im upset because xyz, you hurt me as well"?

Not everything has to be tit for tat. Why could you not listen, accept their hurt was valid, listen and accept any part you played in the situation instead of turning it into a reason why your actions were justified?

I spent months validating, the way it came about was she sent me lots of cryptic messages after an hour of supportive back and forth she told me she'd read the messages, I apologised and acknowledged that they were hurtful, she then asked if I wished her dead. It was absolutely bizarre honestly, the messages weren't even that bad, they were discussing how ex partner was going to cope financially as he is main carer and I was helping him figure it out and how I was pissed off that she'd dragged me into it.

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Bargarran · 26/08/2026 10:26

Like a Netflix teen drama. I'm out...

DozyCrow · 26/08/2026 10:18

This so called friend isn't a proper friend and isn't even a nice person. If they were having problems in their relationship then the mature thing to do is discuss it with your partner or go to counselling, not have an affair. It would have been nice if they'd at least messaged to see how you were when you were ill. I'd say the 'friendship' has run its course. Maybe just maintain a friendship with the partner who has stayed in touch.

DahliaDelights · 26/08/2026 10:15

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:37

I don't care, friend is hugely focused on my upset being the affair, I've made it very clear that I'm upset that she felt it appropriate to tell me about it and ask to lie to her partner when I am friends with him and expect me to keep quiet whilst going out on days out with her ex and children.
I'm more upset that our conversations since have mostly been her, how much she loves and misses me and how it's been so hard for her not to see me at work but that when I nearly died she couldn't message, yet her ex has been a massive support.

So instead of validating the feeling of the person who brought them to you, you instead DARVO and say "oh well im upset because xyz, you hurt me as well"?

Not everything has to be tit for tat. Why could you not listen, accept their hurt was valid, listen and accept any part you played in the situation instead of turning it into a reason why your actions were justified?

Ellaelle · 26/08/2026 10:14

I got a headache trying to figure out who was what where

5128gap · 26/08/2026 10:12

As you say, you have no idea what's really going on. However you've decided you're team him and you won't be able to run with the hare and the hounds so a rift with her is inevitable. I'd be a bit sceptical that she found your messages by snooping tbh. Who goes out without their phone leaving it available for a hostile ex to go though? I think its far more likely he showed her as part of their battle games. However, that's as maybe.

YorksMa · 26/08/2026 10:09

As I often say here on Mumsnet, that person is not your friend anyway, so just leave them to it.

Castolaya · 26/08/2026 10:09

From the picture you have painted here she sounds awful and no longer your friend.

While friend is not a verb there are definitely actions associated with what friendship is. They are not happening here.

PenelopePinkerton · 26/08/2026 10:02

12yr olds at it again.

Bumcake · 26/08/2026 09:59

When couples split up it’s often only possible to stay mates with one of them.

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:57

47YO · 26/08/2026 09:54

Why would friend’s ex-partner show her private messages between the two of you? Seems a bit of shit-stirring going on from ex-partner.

Edited

She was looking after their children at the house and went snooping whilst ex partner wasn't there.

OP posts:
47YO · 26/08/2026 09:54

Why would friend’s ex-partner show her private messages between the two of you? Seems a bit of shit-stirring going on from ex-partner.

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:53

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 26/08/2026 09:51

Future reference OP, don't say anything to a friends partner or even another mutual friend that you wouldn't be prepared to say to their face.

It was only things that I have said to her face. She's upset that I've also said it to the ex.

OP posts:
LoyalMintOtter · 26/08/2026 09:53

Let go of the drama. Give us poor souls on MN a break.

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:52

SixtySomething · 26/08/2026 09:48

All extremely dramatic!

Edited

This is exactly why I'm so pissed off with my friend, why bring this to my door when I'm having a really rough time then be upset that I've vented about it to her ex 10 months later. It's actually ridiculous.

OP posts:
BatchCookBabe · 26/08/2026 09:52

You do seem weirdly involved in other peoples relationships.

Best to stay out of their business.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 26/08/2026 09:51

Future reference OP, don't say anything to a friends partner or even another mutual friend that you wouldn't be prepared to say to their face.

SixtySomething · 26/08/2026 09:48

All extremely dramatic!

Stormyrose · 26/08/2026 09:46

such drama .

Fluffybuns88 · 26/08/2026 09:43

WhatTheHellsGoingOn · 26/08/2026 09:23

How would your friend know you were in hospital if their ex didn’t tell her - did you?

Are you friends, and if not is your partner friends with them too? What do they think?

She knew because she had their children whilst her ex took me in. We were still in contact albeit not as often as before.
My husband is friends with both of them and isn't happy with how shes acted towards me at all.

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