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I'm avoiding telling everyone because it's all so horrible.

380 replies

sladtheinkaler · 11/11/2025 03:28

I've posted elsewhere. I'm having a horrible time.

10 days ago my lovely husband, who I have been with for 30 years, told me that he's been having an affair for 4 years. Not only that, but he has carefully and systematically screwed me over financially. I'm stuffed. He is leaving me to be with her. He doesn't like me, and he doesn't like our children or our family.

My 17 yr old son is right in the middle of some very important exams, so I asked DH to just wait until Friday to tell the kids. We have three, and they're all teenagers. He agreed, and we've been pretending things are normal since he told me. He goes to see this woman and then comes home for dinner and eats the meal I cooked for the family. He is packing his clothes and stuff in secret and stashing stuff in the garage, ready to move out on Saturday.

I am hanging by a thread. I haven't really told anyone. How can I? If I admitted it, I'd dissolve into sobbing and never stop. I am crying in secret in the shower and in the car. I am thinking about what needs to happen for the children, and financially etc. I get on well with my collegues and they have clocked that I'm a bit down, but I can't bring myself to tell them. It's so humiliating. He has acted with breathtaking deceit and cruelty, and I had no idea. I thought we were happy. I loved and trusted him.

He has told his family, who are lovely. They are rallying round and supporting him. Long phonecalls. They have not reached out to me. I've known them since I was 17. I'm so envious of their support. They're great people. They're also very wealthy and will support him.

I haven't told my own family. My mother is away on a trip. She lives in another country anyway. I probably ought to tell one of my brothers - but how? I'll just be a sobbing mess on the phone and then what? Then it will still all be true and one more person will know. For what?

I have told a friend who is lovely. She is supportive.

I think I need a bit more support, but I also know that even if I told people there is no support for this. I just have to put on a brave face and be a rock for the kids.

I can't believe he's done this.

Who do I tell? How?

OP posts:
minipie · 11/11/2025 17:44

Agree with PP - stop feeling embarrassed and start feeling angry. Hope you find a good lawyer OP.

Personally I would be sending a message to his family explaining what he has done. Every single bit. And what he has said to you - including not liking your children. I can guarantee he’s told them a completely different picture.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/11/2025 17:46

Wow! I would definitely not be referring to him as your ‘lovely husband’. He’s horrible. To eat the meal you cooked like he did. Pls do not do anything more for him. It’s ok to be sad and break down. You need the support. What a betrayal. You’ll be ok.

Tink3rbell30 · 11/11/2025 17:51

Don't let the rats get away with this! It destroys people. He will end up very sorry and more fool her, how you get them is how you lose them.

Tiebiter · 11/11/2025 17:59

I think it's completely believable he doesn't like the children. He sounds like he wants it all to be all about him. He has no empathy by the sounds of it.

3luckystars · 11/11/2025 18:00

sladtheinkaler · 11/11/2025 17:28

Okay, this thread is a little overwhelming at this point. Thank you so much for every single kind and supportive message. It is helpful to be so categorically told that (a) he's a shit, and (b) I need to get organised.

I will know more after my lawyer appointment. Thank you to those who have talked about getting the right lawyer - I did speak to a 'free 30 minutes of advice' lawyer and the whole conversation was rather deflating. She advised me to sit quiet and hope he keeps paying the rent because he's feeling guilty, and best not to antagonise him. Perhaps she's right - or perhaps she's not the right sort of lawyer for me. I will see how this next one is. If she's not right either I have a recommendation from a friend.

I have decided I will tell my close colleagues. They already know that something is up and are looking out for me. Unfortunately, I'm a teacher so can't get any time away from the classroom - I'm fitting this in around being lovely jolly Mrs. Slad from 9 - 3 :/

For the poster who is determined that my husband didnt say that he doesn't like the children - he did say that. I think you're right though, I think he probably does like them really. How could he not? They're fucking amazing. He said it in our first devastating conversation where he was telling me how hard he was finding family life, but still looking me in the eye and telling me there wasn't anyone else. He has a narrative where he has been a bit 'left out' and that the kids spend more time with me. Probably true - but then I haven't spent most of the last 4 years sneaking round lying to everyone I love and then being a bit of a grumpy bastard when I'm at home. He said, "I'm not sure I like you, and I'm not sure I like the children either, which is a horrible thing to say but I just wish I had a quieter family home" and then about 10 minutes later he said he had been having an affair for years and that he's protected himself financially and screwed us over. Hope that helps.

Disgusting.

Julietta05 · 11/11/2025 18:07

Try to find as much as you can about the Financial manipulation, money movement.

Julietta05 · 11/11/2025 18:24

Rubbish advice! You need to protect your own assets. He had already plenty of time to take care of his financial situation. Try to look for paperwork, anything to give you indication what he earns and where the money went.

GooseyGandalf · 11/11/2025 18:26

I could almost feel sorry for the ow, except that water finds its level and they probably deserve each other.

@sladtheinkaler You sound like an amazing lady - I don’t think I could hold it together in the classroom or in front of the dc the way you have. You’re stronger than you realise.

Something to bear in mind, is that every penny you get out of him, will one day be your dc’s inheritance. And regardless of what promises he makes, the likelihood is that anything he keeps will not be passed onto the “children he’s not sure he likes”. Fight for them!

Dweetfidilove · 11/11/2025 18:45

These men are despicable. Not only has he spent the last 4 years fucking you over, he also chose the most inopportune time to drop this bombshell as well. He's hidden for four years. Would it have killed him to see his child through exams before doing this?

Clarinetiu · 11/11/2025 18:56

Lawyer now
Get him on tape with the pre planning of the finances

2021x · 11/11/2025 19:12

Agree with others, lawyer up.

Emotions can be processed later, but get what you are owed. He has had 4 years to plan this, he isn't playing fair. Get a few people on your side.

Nevereatcardboard · 11/11/2025 19:21

@sladtheinkaler is he in the type of job or business where being completely honest and having a good family image is valued? If he’s stolen money from you and run up debt, would it count against him in his professional life if he is financially untrustworthy? Either way, I think you need a much stronger lawyer than the one you spoke to. He’s already playing dirty so, unfortunately, you will need to do the same to get a fair settlement.

nolongersurprised · 11/11/2025 19:22

I think you’ll feel better after you’ve told your colleagues. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of and this situation, although life-changing and devastating for you, is a tale as old as time. Others will have gone through similar and then you won’t have to act in front of them.

Im in Aus and my second daughter also has important exams finishing on Friday. I had coffee with friends yesterday - we all have children sitting the exams now and everyone was tense because their children were tense. Once he’s finished you’ll be relieved of the need to keep things stable and calm for him and you won’t feel like you’re having to act so much.

Your children will be fine. You’re the “main parent” anyway, they’ll be in the same house, will stay at the same school, have the same friends. If your 17 year old is leaving school soon his plans won’t change.

It’s hardest for you of anyone, but it’s Wednesday now and in two sleeps’ time it’ll be Friday and your son’s exams will be over and being able to get it out in the open will help.

StevieNic · 11/11/2025 20:01

Tell your brothers and your close friends, get them all to come over and escort him out of the house (as soon as your boy is done with exams). Go and meet with a good solicitor asap about the finances.

I would send a text to his family to say obviously you’ve known them since you were a teenager and love them
and would appreciate some words of support from them given you are the victim, it’s shocking they’ve ignored you and supported him

Tigercrane · 11/11/2025 20:05

StevieNic · 11/11/2025 20:01

Tell your brothers and your close friends, get them all to come over and escort him out of the house (as soon as your boy is done with exams). Go and meet with a good solicitor asap about the finances.

I would send a text to his family to say obviously you’ve known them since you were a teenager and love them
and would appreciate some words of support from them given you are the victim, it’s shocking they’ve ignored you and supported him

He will have told his family a different story, how they have grown apart, perhaps even Op's fault.I agree it's not great that they haven't contacted the OP.

ShizIsWicked · 11/11/2025 20:13

sladtheinkaler · 11/11/2025 03:28

I've posted elsewhere. I'm having a horrible time.

10 days ago my lovely husband, who I have been with for 30 years, told me that he's been having an affair for 4 years. Not only that, but he has carefully and systematically screwed me over financially. I'm stuffed. He is leaving me to be with her. He doesn't like me, and he doesn't like our children or our family.

My 17 yr old son is right in the middle of some very important exams, so I asked DH to just wait until Friday to tell the kids. We have three, and they're all teenagers. He agreed, and we've been pretending things are normal since he told me. He goes to see this woman and then comes home for dinner and eats the meal I cooked for the family. He is packing his clothes and stuff in secret and stashing stuff in the garage, ready to move out on Saturday.

I am hanging by a thread. I haven't really told anyone. How can I? If I admitted it, I'd dissolve into sobbing and never stop. I am crying in secret in the shower and in the car. I am thinking about what needs to happen for the children, and financially etc. I get on well with my collegues and they have clocked that I'm a bit down, but I can't bring myself to tell them. It's so humiliating. He has acted with breathtaking deceit and cruelty, and I had no idea. I thought we were happy. I loved and trusted him.

He has told his family, who are lovely. They are rallying round and supporting him. Long phonecalls. They have not reached out to me. I've known them since I was 17. I'm so envious of their support. They're great people. They're also very wealthy and will support him.

I haven't told my own family. My mother is away on a trip. She lives in another country anyway. I probably ought to tell one of my brothers - but how? I'll just be a sobbing mess on the phone and then what? Then it will still all be true and one more person will know. For what?

I have told a friend who is lovely. She is supportive.

I think I need a bit more support, but I also know that even if I told people there is no support for this. I just have to put on a brave face and be a rock for the kids.

I can't believe he's done this.

Who do I tell? How?

I am sure, if I read through all the posts alot will be suggesting you to speak to your brothers. You actually need to sob and get it out, the questions, the hurt etc before telling the kids. It will help you massively. You should also be talking to a professional around your situation financially and what may/may not happen. There might be a lot of questions from the kids. Personally, I like to go gather information and share and be forearmed with some knowledge.

That said, your kids may just say, yeah we guessed he was up to something, or literally appear non fussed.

No matter know, know this, you WILL be ok and it is ok to not be ok until then.

sothatsthat · 11/11/2025 20:16

Make sure you tell your kids THE TRUTH. DO not lie to them. And tell your brothers immediately. Sob if you feel like it, you have just been battered shitless emotionally, you are allowed ot cry.

This is the worst piece of male serving advice I see regularly trotted out to women - don't tell the kids the facts.

It is abusive. To you and to them.

You have done NOTHING wrong. Your ex husband is a lying sack of shit. He's low empathy, totally selfish and cannot be trusted. By anyone, including your kids.

Imagine not warning your children about another lying scumbag who you knew to be a lying scumbag. How dangerous and stupid that would be. Your ex scumbag husband is a danger to them and to you.

The usual "all women should be martyrs with no feelings and are entitled to nothing" suspects will disagree.

Into the future, your lying scumbag of a husband will lie about you to them. In fact, he already has been. He will have been monstering you slyly and secretly behind your back. Soon, this will be all your fault. He has already lied about you to the woman he has been fucking and others too.

He's a creepy, low empathy, untrustworthy piece of shit. Your kids deserve to know that.

Not suggesting you put it in those terms, of course. But you MUST TELL THEM THE TRUTH. It is vital for You going forwards and for them too. You are NOT protecting them by lying to them, you are confusing them and helping their lying shithead of creepy bastard father to confuse and lie to them further. Your creepy ex will very very definitely make sure he paints himself as a saint and you as a vile woman who forced him to stick his penis in other people.

Have the conversation away from your filthy scumbag ex. YOU get to tell them. YOU get to chose how that goes. YOU get to control the narrative, not your creepy, abusive scumbag ex.

YOU get to act and feel sad about it. YOU are the victim here, not the scumbag ex. And yes YOU deserve your children's sympathy and support.

Tell them quietly that you have just found out that their father has been lying to you all for years and has decided to break up the family and leave for another woman. Tell them you were blindsided, had no idea, but will try to keep their lives as stable as you can. Tell them you are not sure what to expect as he has spent all your money too.

If he has actually said he does not like your kids then that is something to tell them at a later date maybe. No normal person says this or thinks it. I think they need the warning that he is a piece of shit they cannot trust, but I can see that might be a comment better not shared.

Don't be the doormat secret keeper for your abusive shithead of an ex. He will wipe shit on your face if you do.

He is a liar, he is not your friend, he is abusive. Find your anger and accept these facts.

Briefly message anyone you choose with the simple facts, but expect no support of any kind from his family. Do not engage in his family's attempts to blame you and minimise (which will come) say nothing at all to any of their responses unless fully supportive of you as you are the victim in this. Let your silence be their conscience. Block anybody from your life that tries to defend him or minimise his abuse.

Next stop is Chump Lady dot com.

He could have left at any time before he chose to stick his penis in other women. And it's not just one, of course. Nothing he says now can be trusted about anything.

And for the love of God, get a lawyer.

Bellsbeachwaves · 11/11/2025 20:22

Consider telling the mortgage company if you have property so that they know he's up to no good. They can put a marker on it so he can't do anything.

Get to know your finances inside out if you don't already.

Chumplady.

Form E.

Shoutygouty · 11/11/2025 20:23

What an appalling man. You sound amazing - keep it up and find that excellent lawyer.

Bellsbeachwaves · 11/11/2025 20:25

Also get a close group of friends you can drink wine with and tell them everything so that you have support and important reality testing.

Get angry. You will be sad obviously but the anger will help you act.

This is a really long process. Nothing happens immediately re finances. Consider taking money and having it in a bank for you and you alone. You can declare it. It's just for your peace of mind and you might need it.

sothatsthat · 11/11/2025 20:26

The most abusive thing about this sort of vile behaviour is the gaslighting and lying. You will now question everything he ever said or did and he has destroyed all the good memories. The one person you should be able to go to with your suffering after this sort of abuse inflicted on you is the one person who inflicted the abuse on you, and that will make you feel crazy and very distressed.

You do need emotional support from a totally supportive person who will make no attempt at all to minimise his abuse. Please find that for yourself. YOU are the victim here, and your kids too - but your life has been destroyed whereas they have theirs ahead of them.

This sort of trauma caused by this sort of abuse is very hard to recover from, and should not be minimised. You will probably never really trust anyone again. When you feel up to it, counselling might help - but you need to choose a therapist who won't attempt at all to blame you or minimise what your abusive ex did.

Bellsbeachwaves · 11/11/2025 20:28

Also the divorce section on here is very good. Good luck. Dig deep.

When this happened to me it was like the lights turned on but I was in a different room to what I thought. Really really tough. Honestly do tell people. Lawyer, bank, friends, parents - you'll be surprised at the support you get. Hard to believe but in the end you'll be better off.

MarvellousMonsters · 11/11/2025 20:28

Holy shit this is brutal. What an absolutely vile human your husband is.

If you feel you can’t say this for fear of falling apart, write it down, like you have here, and email, whatsapp or print it to show people. But please, please tell those close to you and get some support in place.

Find a lawyer and get some advice, if he’s been deliberately screwing you financially you may be able to fight for some of it to make sure you’re not short changed.

I’m so angry for you, he’s selfish and destructive, and has no doubt told a fictionalised version to his family about how poorly he has treated you. When you do separate make sure your children don’t get a heavily sanitised version, so that they know he’s been calculatingly horrible to you.

eacapade1982 · 11/11/2025 20:35

Stuff him, he betrayed you and he doesn’t deserve your tears! I hope your appointment with the lawyer goes well.

ThatCyanCat · 11/11/2025 20:50

What does he say he's done to screw you financially? You're married, you have rights.