Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

On holiday and found out he's cheated

1000 replies

manipulatrice · 25/05/2023 06:08

I am on holiday with my husband and 2 kids.

I took a picture and sent it to myself using my husbands phone, and as I went to close WhatsApp I saw a name I had never seen. So I clicked it.

He's been having an affair for 6 months. I called his bluff pretending I had seen more and he then admitted as he thought I had seen, that they have been sleeping together.

In a fit of rage I launched his phone and smashed it. He claims he did it because he was lonely as I work nights, and he wanted attention.

I've never felt so alone and desperate in my whole life. We are only on day 2 of a 14 day long haul holiday.

If it wasn't for my wonderful children I think I would just disappear.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
FigTreeInEurope · 25/05/2023 10:58

I read this thread with my wife at the desk in the corner, tapping away at her laptop. I pictured this being us, her feeling this pain, and honestly, it made me cry. It's easy after many years to take those who love us for granted. Your husband is a stupid idiot. He should be ashamed of himself.

TokyoSushi · 25/05/2023 10:59

Oh what a mess, and what awful timing to find out OP.

Agree it's really tricky about what to do just now, it's going to be a pretty miserable holiday in any event, but if he goes home by himself, he'll just go to the OW and have a 'head start' on you with getting things organised. But if you go home then the DC will be upset.

user1497782758 · 25/05/2023 10:59

AnnWithoutAnnie · 25/05/2023 10:54

@user1497782758

you think you're being clever, you're not. You're detailing the OP's thread with you immature stupidity. Please stop.

yes he was lonely at night, they chatted, had phone/FaceTime sex & intimacy then actual sex on her days off . Anything else you need an adult to explain to you?

I think some of the 'adults' on these forums need to touch grass...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Iamdobby63 · 25/05/2023 11:00

OP I’m so sorry, this is really shit for you, you must feel so trapped as you are on holiday and have to mask how you are feeling.

Right now you sound like you are grieving for the man you thought he was, but he isn’t that man, he’s a selfish self centred asshole. If he did charm you back you will never trust him again, he’s broken that now. You have every right to be angry at her but at the end of the day he is the one who was supposedly committed to you, he was the one who made those promises.

Im glad your eldest knows, far too stressful trying to mask it from an older child.

I don’t understand the ‘snooping’ comments, just ignore.

Im sorry I wish I had some words of wisdom about how to get through this holiday, keep him on the sofa and maybe try and do things away from him.

rileynexttime · 25/05/2023 11:00

OP I can feel the pain coming off your posts .The agony ,the hurt ,the betrayal .The rug that has been pulled out from underneath you ,making your life up to now seem like a lie .The gaping void that is left .
I've been there myself ,discovering that my husband was with someone else ,didn't want to continue with me and of course it changed my life .
I'm in my 70's now and time has taught me that people don't switch from being wholly loveable to entirely evil.The love you both had won't have been a charade ,he will have had genuine love for you .You can't fake that for 10 years .

I'm sure this isn't something you can contemplate now ,or even soon ,but if he's genuinely remorseful I wouldn't write the marriage off yet .

caringcarer · 25/05/2023 11:01

manipulatrice · 25/05/2023 09:43

He was going away on my days off. He was FaceTiming her for a wank when I was on nights

What a pathetic person he is. No Matt how happy you thought you were, it was just based on his bloody lying and cheating so not real. Get your Mum to go to your house and get anything you personally value. My exh went apoplectic because I wanted baby photos. I gave him a few copies but I couldn't trust he would have done that for me so I moved them to safety where he could not get them.

firerydragon12 · 25/05/2023 11:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort · 25/05/2023 11:06

Nothing further to add to the good advice you've had here

Just sending you strength and love

You've nothing to feel worthless for ❤️

IhearyouClemFandango · 25/05/2023 11:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Eh?

tigerlily0 · 25/05/2023 11:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Lol shut up

Janeyxx · 25/05/2023 11:18

This will not be a popular view. Is it worth breaking up your family for a woman your husband has no feelings for other than filling a gap. You say you have a child with special needs. This can be overwhelming depending on the degree of needs required. My sisters husband had an afair due to her spending every waking hour concentrating on the children. Her husband was lonely and neither of them communicated enough in general. They admitted they both still loved each other but things had to change on both sides. They pulled through and although my sister admits its hard thinking of the fact he cheated she is happy they've sorted out the reasons. If he loved the fill in that would be a totally different story.

Spacestace · 25/05/2023 11:18

monsteramunch · 25/05/2023 10:37

@user1497782758

Who was looking after the 8-year-old while he was cheating, if you work nights?

What a bizarre question to ask someone.

You do realise people can cheat before sundown, yes?

It's not that bizarre, if it was early in the evening then surely the children would notice he kept going out. If it was overnight he either left them home alone or had the other woman round to the family home- either option is rank. Unless he means he felt lonely (boo hoo) as OP worked nights but that's not when the physical cheating happened.

monsteramunch · 25/05/2023 11:20

@user1497782758

OP's husband said he cheated because he was lonely when she was working nights, so I don't think it's 'bizarre' to make the assumption that he was with the other woman at night.

Poor OP has now confirmed that wasn't the case.

He was going away on my days off. He was FaceTiming her for a wank when I was on nights

But a thread like this isn't the place for back and forths between other posters and I don't want to derail so I'll leave it there.

OP I'm so sorry you're going through this, it would be awful at any time but being away from your home is an extra layer of torture.

It sounds like your friends will rally around you which is fantastic Flowers

Meeting · 25/05/2023 11:22

I'm so sorry OP.

Honestly I really think you'd be best to go home. You can take your children away again another time but staying there is not healthy.

NeedToChangeName · 25/05/2023 11:27

I'm so sorry this happened to you

My DSis had a slightly similar situation years ago and they paid quite a lot of £ to all come home early. I wonder if that might be the best for you. You're very isolated when you're abroad with no other trusted adult

Heronwatcher · 25/05/2023 11:28

I’d absolutely go home immediately. Your kids need their family and friends. Tell him he can stay there so you get a head start on sorting the finances and get everything of his out of the house before he’s back. No good will come of staying there- no one is going to enjoy it after this. Tell your youngest that granny needs some help with something if needs be.

Janeyxx · 25/05/2023 11:31

As I said, if your husband is willing to talk it out, even go for professional councilling, don't do anything rash without considering everything that contributed to this. A totally different story if he has been a serial cheater and genuinely fell out of love with you. Swallow your pride and talk it out like grown-ups then make informed choices.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 25/05/2023 11:31

I am really sorry this has happened.

You may not care about the financial side now, but you should care about it soon. This is your DC's home, therapy and assistance for your younger DC, their apprenticeship or university fees, your savings, your pension etc. and any of your and your DC's money that gets left behind will be spent on setting up your DH and his mistress in comfort.

Meixo · 25/05/2023 11:32

Sorry OP , I think you need to fly home , your 15 year old can't be expected to support you through this for the next 12 days. They will be upset themselves and might need peer support and you need support from your own adult friends.

Rinkydinkydoodle · 25/05/2023 11:36

manipulatrice · 25/05/2023 08:52

Everytime I close my eyes I just replay it all in my head.

I can't breathe. I feel like I'm suffocating.

OP, I am so sorry, reading your pain is making me feel queasy.

It’s maybe too early to say, but do you think this marriage is salvageable (rhetorical, we don’t need to know). Regardless, it’s really raw so whatever you do next needs to be done with a cool head; that’s not easy if you’re under-fed and sleepless. It’s easier to take the next steps when you have a plan of where to go in place. You might find it would be easier to rest as well.

If I knew he wasn’t going to be my husband anymore I’d say the whys and wherefores of how OW behaved when confronted no longer matter. I’d take down the social media posting and take steps to protect my family. Possibly a bit paranoid but I’d be concerned about his immediate solution being for him to go home. Buggering off and leaving me with a devastated teen and a young child with additional needs thousands of miles from home is not a caring solution. Sadly, people sometimes go on the defensive when they’re caught out, particularly when they’ve told themselves ‘it was nothing/ it was over anyway’ and they realise the wronged spouse is not going to forgive and forget. 100% agree with all the PPs who’ve said you don’t want him back in the UK first. He doesn’t sound as apologetic as I’d expect given the atom bomb he’s set off in all your lives, and is already minimising and getting obstructive.

To give me thinking time, I’d hide his passport somewhere he’ll never find it, meaning he can’t unilaterally decide to go home. I’d hide the others too, so he couldn’t impede me or my kids’ return. I’d feign ignorance if he noticed.

I’d also look into my mum/ a trusted friend getting in and clearing my house of all joint financial paperwork, certificates, removing laptops, and having the locks changed.

If I could get that done, which is the most I’d do if I went home on the first available flight, I’d feel a little safer. I’m assuming this was a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for a little one, ie. Disneyland or something). If so, I’d try my best to rally (I know it’s easy to write, I know putting on a performance is going to need reserves you don’t have when you’re stunned and grieving). I’d take the little one out and give him the time of his life, and book a flight home for the three of us for a few days time.

It’s a shame for the kids to lose out on half a holiday but in truth the joy is already over for the older one, this is appalling for him, and possibly the most unforgivable part of the whole affair. Ultimately, a mother’s health and well-being is more important than a fortnights’ pretend fun. People in shock need space and adult support. The stress of this doesn’t seem sustainable alone in a different country. Imagine the man you married died, you wouldn’t stay, and if you were my sister or friend I’d urge you not to try and see the whole trip out in these circumstances either. Obviously, you know what you can cope with better than anyone, but please be careful of yourself.

I wouldn’t tell my husband any of what I’d done. I’d get my pal or parent to book the homeward journey on their card, I’d let him think the holiday is going on as planned with him taking younger DS out and about in the daytime and ‘you needing time to think.’ He’s not the person you believed him to be, and at the moment you don’t really know who he is or what he’ll do. IME most people feel stronger for regaining some actual control.

Best of luck to you and your boys, they are tremendously lucky to have you as their mum.

FarFarAwayB · 25/05/2023 11:39

FWIW my advice is to book flights home now and get your financial ducks in a row. Think about getting the locks changed.

Go through paperwork at home to get a clear idea of your financial position as couple and as individuals and look hard to see if your H has hidden any money away and collect evidence of his infidelity.

remember to check his pension position.

See a lawyer (initial appointment is often free) - write a list of questions to get as much free advice as possible.

You are in shock, be kind to yourself. Have have a good shout and rant in private as needed but be aware of the needs of your children. Hold your head high - you have done nothing wrong. Write everything down, you might not remember things that turn out to be important later on.

citizens advice have lots of advice. Presume you are in England, look at this link. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/

Make a plan, stick to the plan, put yourself first.

Hugs all round. I am so sorry this man has done this.

Family

Get advice on family, looking after people and when a relationship ends.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/

TheoTheopolis23 · 25/05/2023 11:39

*I have failed at life.

NO, he has.

Cheeserollanyone · 25/05/2023 11:40

So sorry OP. I would definitely arrange to go home if you can. It will be awful trying to stay on holiday with him.
Sorry you are hurting. You and your DC's will need to be around family/close friends. Somewhere you have support. Grass isn't always greener and for him go say it meant nothing is a kick in the teeth after the turmoil he has caused. He has destroyed the world/life you thought you had for a fling. Because he felt lonely while you were working. Had sex with someone else. You have to get strong for you and your DC's.

As for the other woman. Shows you what she is like. She is happy to have an affair with a married man but won't hold up her hands and apologise for her actions. Her way is to block and hopefully the situation will go away. She walks away where you have to some how find a way to pick up the pieces with your life and your DC's lives. You will pick up those pieces and he will realised what he has lost. His family unit. You will be ok OP.

Sending a hug. X

Janeyxx · 25/05/2023 11:41

Sorry but how can everyone be encouraging op to do a runner when there are 2 sides to every story. Marriages can surive this this type of one off situation. Although I've never had to endure this, my sister has and they worked it out. They remain close and happy as a family after many years together.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread