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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I don't even know what to do about this

168 replies

Braneycat · 07/04/2021 17:14

Posting here for traffic

Please be gentle, I literally can't handle strong criticism right now. It's a bit long so sorry in advance.

My partners dad died suddenly last week and he's absolutely devastated. His dad was his best friend.

I'm genuinely trying my best to be there for him but I'm just not good with emotions at all, I'm letting him talk about it and cry and take whatever time he needs and I really thought I was doing well. I tend to busy myself with practical things, so I've been doing some work stuff for him and helping our children through it all while he spends time with his siblings and arranging the funeral.

At the same time, our boiler packed up and me and the kids moved into a hotel, with him joining us when he wanted to.

Two nights ago he decided to stay home and got drunk. I never think drinking while in pain is a good thing but I didn't say anything, just encouraged him to invite a friend over so he's not drinking alone.

His best friend is a woman and I have never ever thought there was something going on between them. I love her, she's amazing with my kids and she understands my partner in a way I don't (our interests are very different and it's something they have in common).

I have a horrible feeling he cheated this night.

I understand grief makes you do strange things, and I also know that right now is not the time to confront him about it. I'm grieving myself (his dad was like a second dad to me) and I could just be overly sensitive.

When I was sorting out some of his work stuff for him I needed to access his emails. He knew this and gave me permission to do so.

I also checked his search history. He has a history of depression and only got out of a bout of it around a month ago, when he started on antidepressants. I just wanted an insight into where his mind is at the moment as he's prone to suicidal ideation, so I just wanted a heads up if he was making those sorts of searches.

Instead I found searches like 'movies to turn her on' 'sexy movies for couples'.

Bare in mind, I was stuck at a hotel with the kids and he had invited her over. So whether or not something actually happened, this is where his mind was.

The next day he cleaned our sheets which is extremely unusual. If it weren't for me he would happily change the sheets once a year (an exaggeration perhaps but just an indication of how little he remembers to do these things).
He has also been really off with me. One word texts, no affection at all. Alot of 'reevaluating my life' sort of comments. He's said outright he's not interested in any conversations I bring up, and has made insinuations about my weight and how 'unfun' I've become.

This is so out of character. He has always found me attractive regardless of how much weight I've gained/lost over the years, and we've both been very accepting of how different our personalities are. In a way its what has made us last so long.

I don't want to bring up my worries right now as, above anything else, his friend clearly is giving him what he needs in terms of emotional support. I still find it hard to believe anything actually happened. I haven't resorted to looking through his phone yet as frankly, I'm afraid of what I'll find and I don't want to invade his privacy right now.

How do I live with this until such a time it becomes more acceptable to raise it? Am I being insane?

OP posts:
2ndtimemum2 · 09/04/2021 00:09

Sorry your going through this op

nov2021bw · 09/04/2021 00:52

Ohhhhh OP, bless you. How awful of both of them, what a bastard. Thanks

ClaryFairchild · 09/04/2021 01:09

Oh OP, I'm so sorry. What an arse. Hugs for you.

Don't feel pressured into dealing with it in any particular way by anybody, including him. Deal with it how and when you want to.

DYWMB · 09/04/2021 01:11

What a pig.
Oh my dad has died I'll have sex with my best friend.
And her. The horrible witch.
Invading your family and doing that while pretending to be a friend.
Scum.

Wineat5isfine · 09/04/2021 01:12

So, so sorry that he has done this. What an absolute bastard. And how dare she as well!!

AtrociousCircumstance · 09/04/2021 01:15

Kick him out. What an absolute arsehole.

WisnaeMe · 09/04/2021 01:24

What a Twat.. using his Dads death as an excuse to have Sex with someone else in your bed, not just some random, someone you consider an Aunt to your precious kids.

I'd send him packing OP he's a disgrace and I'd be telling Her you know and to consider herself Un-Auntie'd to yours kids.

Im so sorry OP 🌸

Nancydrawn · 09/04/2021 01:34

I'm very sorry, OP. Know that you don't have to make any decisions right now, and that you can sit with this for a bit if you need to. Note: you need to, not if he needs you to. He has been unforgivably selfish and you get to do what you need to do here.

SunscreenCentral · 09/04/2021 01:50

Oh lord. I’m really sorry OP. As others have said, time is your friend here. As is a bit of distance.
Don’t make any sudden moves for the moment, let yourself breathe and move through the next bit of time giving All Care and consideration to you and your children.

PyongyangKipperbang · 09/04/2021 01:52

Her going over and him being emotional and it ending up with her "over comforting" him shall we say? Shit and horrible but sort of understandable if he had been upset and contrite and appalled.

The google searches would be the killer for me. He used his supposed emotional trauma to get his leg over. He wasnt so traumatised after all was he? I wouldnt be able to forgive that level of preplanning and nastiness.

tolerable · 09/04/2021 02:27

op. YOU matter.
your right,grief...especially when feel sorta outside circle/voyeristic/detached is..a rotten dance to do.you clearly havent been thoughtless bout that.
Only an absolute bastard would use a parents death as a "in".
Honury aunt is a sackable position.
he defo premeditated.she presumeably complied.
while hes wallowing in self pity you gony have to detatch from all the how could he/we were romeo julie/stuff.
assess.do you want this fool in your life.the kids are his(?)cant actual undo that-what he does bout it is on him.
you dont have to forgive him.grief isnt an excuse.if its an emotion it takes a rat to display it with his cock out.
its not fair.it hurts.you DONT owe him,or anyone else a damn thing.do what feels best for you and kids.

FortunesFave · 09/04/2021 03:34

Honorary Auntie my arse. She's had her eye on him the whole time and was waiting.

He's an arsehole. Grief is a terrible thing but it's not an excuse for this. Not at all.

Don't be a victim and beg him to stay. Tell him it's over...and you both need to work out who is going to move out...him obviously.

KoalaOok · 09/04/2021 05:19

Oh OP. Flowers take deep breaths and all the time you need to work out your next step. Don't let him use his dad's death as an excuse, it isn't.

Bameish · 09/04/2021 05:20

@Braneycat

He did. I had abit of 'Dutch courage' because I just knew something was up, although I was in denial until the very end because I didn't believe he'd actually do that to me.

He was very honest. But.. this girl was honoury auntie to my children. I considered her a close family friend.

I don't even know what to do with myself.

I don't know what you do next. Personally, I'd ask him to leave, but I'm not you.

I just wanted to say I'm so sorry you're going through this, and that he's made you feel like this. You deserve all the good things in life and this isn't fair.

icelollycraving · 09/04/2021 05:30

Oh op, you sound so kind and considerate of your husband’s mental health, don’t neglect your own. Grief doesn’t equal a one night stand.
I would absolutely let her know that you know. Only you can decide if you want to work through it with him, many wouldn’t but some would. Flowers

rainyskylight · 09/04/2021 05:46

So so sorry to read this OP Flowers

Pepperama · 09/04/2021 06:28

I’d remind him he hadn’t just lost his dad, he IS a dad. And apart from treating you appallingly, he’s risking making his children’s lives a misery.

FrozenVag · 09/04/2021 06:34

How horrible for you OP.

Tell you what though, I adore my mum and would be devastated when she goes.

Would I expect my husband to forgive me if I cheated? No way!

Bet this hasn’t just started either Flowers

LordOfTheOnionRings · 09/04/2021 06:45

OP, you need to be strong and leave.

Everyday21 · 09/04/2021 06:46

I'm so sorry op. How are you this morning?

Those Google searches show it was premeditated and not some sort of twisted accident. In your shoes I would kick him out, theres just no excuse even though he sounds like hes going to try and use his grief

freeingNora · 09/04/2021 06:56

Thanks I'm so sorry you're going through this, I don't think I could be with anyone who used their fathers death as an excuse to create an opportunity for premeditated sex. That for me would be the betrayal.

I would also not respond to this woman she's been waiting in the wings for an opportunity she's inserted herself into your life there's been some huge boundary crosses there sweet my arse.

Kissingspines · 09/04/2021 06:58

Is the house yours or just his.

I’ve had a horrible thought that he might not let you back into the house.

DailyCandy · 09/04/2021 06:59

Was just going to say the same thing as Nora... completely premeditated.
They're both despicable.

Boho7 · 09/04/2021 07:05

💐

Peanutbutterandbananatoastie · 09/04/2021 07:12

It’s obvious that you really care about your husband’s feelings op. He doesn’t seem to reciprocate, not only the affair but belittling you etc.

Is this all since his dad died? If you look back, have you any inkling that it might’ve been going on before that?

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