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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:
usedandabusedx1000 · 09/04/2021 14:55

I think @WisnaeMe has it. Disgrace. They both are. I hope they both know how utterly repulsive they are. Absolute cretins.

notacooldad · 09/04/2021 14:57

Might be harsh but if this was me, I’d bag up his shit and dump them off at his mum’s. Tell her what her son is and then start proceedings to split
Why drag his mum into it.
She has enough on her plate and it isn't anything to do with her.

Braneycat · 09/04/2021 14:58

Hi everyone,

Honestly thankyou all for the support, it's massively appreciated.

I'm currently at my mums so I have some space to think. When I get back in a couple days we're going to sit the kids down and tell them and him moving out will be pretty swift after that.

To give him any sort of credit, he's been very honest and remorseful. He's answered all my questions, let me vent and be angry. He hasn't tried to blame his grief or guilt me into staying.

He knows he's fucked up and he knows he's ruined everything. Honestly I'm in such a state of shock that if he begged me to stay I probably would, but he hasn't which is helping me keep strong.

Its probably the most sincere he's ever been. It's just a shame it took this to happen for him to actually be honest about how he was feeling.

OP posts:
yousawthewholeofthemoon · 09/04/2021 15:01

You sound like you are being very calm and reasonable, not easy. Sorry the outcome was so shit.

deathbyprocrastination · 09/04/2021 15:04

This sounds very, very hard. Well done on reaching a decision. Wishing you every strength

rainbowstardrops · 09/04/2021 15:18

What a bastard and what a bitch of a 'friend'!
I'm really sorry he's putting you through this but at least he told you.
Have you heard from the 'friend'?

RedcurrantPuff · 09/04/2021 15:56

I’m so sorry. What a betrayal. I couldn’t get past this, grieving is just an excuse, it’s unacceptable behaviour.

badacorn · 09/04/2021 15:58

I hope you are ok op. Look after yourself.

Unsure33 · 09/04/2021 15:59

have you spoken to the "friend" at all ?

sorry you are going through this . No excuses for either of them at all .

CleverCatty · 09/04/2021 16:03

@Braneycat

Hi everyone,

Honestly thankyou all for the support, it's massively appreciated.

I'm currently at my mums so I have some space to think. When I get back in a couple days we're going to sit the kids down and tell them and him moving out will be pretty swift after that.

To give him any sort of credit, he's been very honest and remorseful. He's answered all my questions, let me vent and be angry. He hasn't tried to blame his grief or guilt me into staying.

He knows he's fucked up and he knows he's ruined everything. Honestly I'm in such a state of shock that if he begged me to stay I probably would, but he hasn't which is helping me keep strong.

Its probably the most sincere he's ever been. It's just a shame it took this to happen for him to actually be honest about how he was feeling.

I'm one of those posters who think that even if your partner's dad had died that doesn't give him a pass to have sex with a good friend of yours. I personally don't think being so upset that you have sex with someone apart from your partner is ever a good excuse.

They're horrible people both of them. Hope karma gets them. Please, please don't let him talk you round (you see fairly sure it's over OP). What a complete and utter idiot your partner was to plan this too.

Take it easy.

CleverCatty · 09/04/2021 16:04

@rainbowstardrops

What a bastard and what a bitch of a 'friend'! I'm really sorry he's putting you through this but at least he told you. Have you heard from the 'friend'?
the 'friend' would be getting a kick somewhere painful if she dared to come near me.
Mix56 · 09/04/2021 16:08

So he's leaving ?
What doe sthe best friend have to say for herself ? is she single ?

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 16:14

Odd situation .

But OP why are you checking his emails and search history?

SpaceBatAngelDragon · 09/04/2021 16:24

@Butwasitherdriveway

Odd situation .

But OP why are you checking his emails and search history?

She explains why in the OP.
JustJustWhy · 09/04/2021 16:24

@Butwasitherdriveway

Odd situation .

But OP why are you checking his emails and search history?

Dear Lord...

She said why in her very first post and it's rather moved on since then.

SpaceBatAngelDragon · 09/04/2021 16:27

Is he due a large inheritance, or something? The behaviour of your H and his "friend" sounds far too calculated. Have they been biding their time until he thought he could get away without a large financial hit? Any inheritance is of course family money, so make sure you and your children are protected, OP.

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 16:28

@JustJustWhy no, she didn't.

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 16:28

Where are you guys seeing this explanation?

JustJustWhy · 09/04/2021 16:31

[quote Butwasitherdriveway]@JustJustWhy no, she didn't.[/quote]
Yes she did.

SpaceBatAngelDragon · 09/04/2021 16:32

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'.

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 16:32

Apologies OP I blatantly totally skimmed that bit.

It sounds as if he's been quite difficult for quite some time, before the bereavement.

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 16:33

@SpaceBatAngelDragon

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'.

Thanks dragon. I blatantly missed that
ThrowingAShellstrop · 09/04/2021 16:39

I’m so sorry OP. His AND her behaviour cannot be excused by grief. Glad to see you have a plan but best prepare yourself that a) this wasn’t the first time and b) he moves on to her pretty quickly after your split. The fact he hasn’t tried to convince you to stay speaks volumes and I’d put money on him having had this planned for a while.

Again, so sorry Flowers

bbbbbbbbbccccc · 09/04/2021 16:48

@SpaceBatAngelDragon

Is he due a large inheritance, or something? The behaviour of your H and his "friend" sounds far too calculated. Have they been biding their time until he thought he could get away without a large financial hit? Any inheritance is of course family money, so make sure you and your children are protected, OP.
This is excellent advice and while you will be understandably in turmoil and not thinking straight atm you must protect your children and yourself. When similar happened to me I was told to taken on board that the cheating ex is no longer your friend you must think practically over the next few months. You will be so happy you did in the coming years.Shore up your future cut him out but insure any finances coming on line from an inherence are included in your divorce assets.
Ohdobequiet · 09/04/2021 17:03

I am so sorry op.

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