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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:
LilMidge01 · 09/04/2021 17:08

I'm so so sorry for you.

Having read the thread I feel that one thing that isnt being mentioned much since the beginning is not only does it seem premeditated, but that he was criticising you and how you're 'no fun', appearance etc... please bear this in mind if he does grovel at any point.

I would imagine it is nice to hear him being so honest and open with you but remember some of that may have to do with a certain 'numbness'of feeling right now..and maybe even a slight enjoyment (is that the right word) if his own misery and fuck up..particularly at a time of bereavement.

But ultimately, please remember that he has insulted you and the marriage and actively sought to cheat at a time when you were being very supportive, and that cant be easily explained away with 'bereavement emotions'..if you do decide to reconcile in the future (which I personally woildnt but I appreciate I dknt know you or your marriage), counselling will definitely be needed as those are very hurtful actions on his part.

Good luck to you. Surround yourself with people who love and support you right now

LilMidge01 · 09/04/2021 17:09

Wallow, I think that's the word I meant..not enjoyment

Onedropbeat · 09/04/2021 17:12

Sorry OP. You must be in such shock right now.

How silly of him to lose his whole family over a night like that

Butwasitherdriveway · 09/04/2021 17:12

Sorry all.

My MN is playing right up. I could only see two pages and none of the updates!

Sleepdeprivedmama1 · 09/04/2021 17:17

Op I'm really sorry for your loss and what your OP did. As another poster stated, we don't know your marriage. Take some time, do what you need to do. You don't need to make a decision today, tomorrow or even next week. There is a lot to process.

Good luck to you and the kids xx

sillysmiles · 09/04/2021 17:24

@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.

That sounds like he felt the marriage was over before he cheated?
Gothichouse40 · 09/04/2021 17:25

For me personally, I would need to know exactly how long this so-called 'friendship' has been going on. I don't mean to be nasty but have you been played all this time by the two of them? For them to get together like that, there must have been feelings or something. You don't just decide to sleep with a long term friend. Your other half has a choice to make, her or you. I couldn't stand the sight of her after this and don't think I would be continuing a relationship with him either. I don't think much of either of them and bereavement isn't much of an excuse. Im a very suspicious minded person, did so-called friend engineer all this knowing he was vulnerable? How can you ever trust either of them again? If you are going to stay with him, the 'friend' has to go, as in no longer a part of your life as a couple. Then, you will both need counselling. For me, I'd get shot of the two of them. I'd never trust them ever again.

RatsolutelyFabulous · 09/04/2021 17:27

I really sorry to hear this OP, disgraceful behaviour on his part. Just because he’s grieving, doesn’t give him the right to treat you and the kids like shit. He’s a complete twat and the other women, is just as bad if she’s also your friend. How dare they? Angry

Not that it makes any difference as you’ve decided that you’re divorcing and rightly so! But I’m going against the grain here that I do think this is the first time. Yes, they probably have flirted over the years and may of been awaiting their chance, but, if you’ve already slept with someone, you wouldn’t need to google how to seduce them or google movies that turn women on!

I really think this was the first time they’ve actually slept together although they’ve probably been having an ea for years! The horrid cunts welcome to a slimy piece of shit that only thinks of himself and treats his wonderful wife and children like crap.

He’s not only lost his dad, he’s now lost everything just for wanting to get his dick wet and how dare they shag in your family home and your bed? Karmas a bitch and it will bite them both in the arse one day.

You sound really strong and make sure you have lots of family and friends support for the upcoming journey you will be going through Flowers

Gothichouse40 · 09/04/2021 17:33

Sorry,missed where you said you had decided to divorce him. Good for you, he and that scheming woman are welcome to each other. The man is a fool. You are worth so much more than this. Good luck for the future. You've had a terrible betrayal but you will get through this.

JingsMahBucket · 09/04/2021 18:35

I’d take him to the fucking cleaners. Lawyer up @Braneycat.

toiletbrushholder · 09/04/2021 18:42

You sound so reasonable and like you've been doing all the heavy lifting in this relationship for a while supporting him, so sorry he has done this, I think you'll have a richer life in the future without him ❤️

MissM94 · 09/04/2021 19:07

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billy1966 · 09/04/2021 19:29

I can see no mention of marriage? A husband implies marriage, not the word partner.

If it's a partner inheritance certainly doesn't come into play, only shared ownership of property that might be sold.

I feel very sorry for you OP.
His behaviour is dreadful.

I would not believe for one moment this was a one off.

I'm glad you have your mum.
What an awful excuse of a man.

And as for her.🙄
So dreadful.

Clearly you are far too good for him.
I'm so sorry.
Be very suspicious of everything he says and does.
He is not trustworthy.
Flowers

icdtap · 09/04/2021 19:30

Did he wait until his Dad died to cheat because he wouldn't have been able to face telling his Dad that he was planning to leave OP? It all sounds like this was coming long before the death.

So sorry OP. You need to get a good solicitor now. This man is a shit and you deserve way better than him

MissM94 · 09/04/2021 19:47

What a pair of nasty people
The rubbish has taken itself out, you deserve better 💕

MinnieKat · 09/04/2021 21:50

How are you OP?

MsDogLady · 10/04/2021 22:17

Braneycat, how are you doing? I commented on your other thread and have been wondering about you.

chocolatemademefat · 11/04/2021 12:00

Grief doesn’t give him the right to treat you this way. Tell him to grow up and sort himself out. The cheating would be the end for me - if only because his upset wasn’t bad enough for him to forget sex.

You have to take care of yourself and your children because he’s only thinking about himself. Dont be a doormat.

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