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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

End of my marriage

13 replies

foolishwoman2023 · 10/04/2023 06:17

Not an AIBU, just require a handhold.

A bit of background - I’m from an Asian background so we have some cultural norms when it comes to marriages/divorces so it’s normal for family involvement/mediation.

I’ve been married 4 years this August. It wasn’t an arranged marriage. We met in 2018, married in 2019 with both families on board. We are both in our mid 30s, no children. He was married before.

I discovered in Feb he was having an affair with a married woman. The affair apparently started in September but I suspect it was earlier as OW had given him a deadline to give me an Islamic divorce by December. I had no reason to suspect an affair until Feb as he was very good at hiding it from me. There were no obvious signs and anything which I did feel was out of the ordinary, he had an answer ready for it.

The affair ended because I believe OW didn’t want to go ahead with it after I contacted her and we spoke at length. She told me he had painted a very isolated marriage and complete separate lives when in fact that wasn’t the truth. She felt she had been deceived by him so told me she was done. His reasonings for ending it was because of some of the comments she made to me weren’t true, but I suspect it was because he was found out. Families were informed of this affair and due to cultural norms, everyone spoke about it, he assured me he made a mistake and I forgave him. I didn’t trust him 100% but he showed me he was ‘trying’.

The past week he has been staying out until late and being very secretive about his phone. I asked him if he was hiding anything, he said no. Yesterday he went with his friends to the city OW lives in. I have confirmation he was with his friends but where there’s a will there’s a way.

Tonight he stayed out late too until 2am. I had called him earlier and he had turned his phone off. When he came home we argued and he stormed out at 3am and then didn’t come home until 5am.

I asked him where he had been and he was getting aggressive and swore at me. He kicked me, pushed me, spat in my face and threatened to kick me out. He was getting into my face and threatened to hit me in my face. He mentioned how the OW was submissive and she was better than me in every way. He said this over and over again.

I live 300 miles away from my family and my parents are on holiday right now. I called them and they contacted my FIL who lives a few minutes away.

He’s in the spare bedroom and FIL said he will come in the morning. As I said before as we are Asian it’s ‘normal’ to inform families in situations like this.

I think this is the end of my marriage. I should have walked away when the affair came to light but I blamed myself for it. Even today he said to me it was my fault for ‘pushing’ him to have an affair.

Just wanted a hand hold. Nothing else really.

OP posts:
Newyearnewhome · 10/04/2023 06:26

Here for a handhold. You have nothing to blame yourself for- you have done everything right.

You trusted him. that’s not a fault- it’s necessary for a healthy relationship. I’m so sorry you’ve been let down by him.

as awful as it is right now, at least now you know what he is really like. You can get out of this marriage and meet someone new ( or not, if you don’t want to!).

Wishing you all the best

partypompoms · 10/04/2023 06:48

This should definitely be the end of your marriage. Don't be talked into staying. He has been violent to you and this will increase in time.

Go before you have kids with him and are stuck as a battered abused wife for decades.

You can do this. Do you have friends in real life you can tell?

PotKettel · 10/04/2023 06:50

That is a dreadful experience. There is heaps of great help on the Relationships board - you could ask to move this thread.

Don’t blame yourself for any of this, you stayed because you are a good person and wanted to give marriage a chance. He, on the other hand, is a piece of sh*t. Sometimes I wish a horde of MN supporters could turn up and out these aggressive, cheating, abusive men for the whole world to see them for what they are.

He has done a good job on the Script - making you feel to blame. I don’t want to presume family will somehow pressure you into “forgiving an indiscretion and then a moment of uncontrollable manly urge in lashing out” but it is possible family will do this. Be on your guard and stay strong. The solidarity of far too many women on this board who have been through similar messages can help you. Best wishes.

TheEverdelightfulsamantha · 10/04/2023 06:52

A tight firm hand hold from me OP - this sounds like an awful situation - will your family support you to leave? Do you have somewhere to go?

momo20 · 10/04/2023 06:57

I'm from an Asian background myself so I understand the norm of including the wider family in your personal decisions.

This should definitely be the end of your marriage, don't feel pressured to stay even if your in-laws or family tell you too. He is abusive and staying with him will only make matters worse for you.

Look after yourself and stay strong.

nomoremerlot · 10/04/2023 06:58

Well done for recognising you cannot continue like this. A handhold and lots of strength from me.

Poppyblush · 10/04/2023 07:14

Leave. Get a divorce.

Bleakhouser · 10/04/2023 07:18

I’m so sorry this happened to you.

please please do not go back to an abusive bully. This will keep happening unless you leave.

wishing you all the best for the future.

MissMarplesbag · 10/04/2023 07:21

Report him to the police for physical assault and file for a quick no fault divorce. Don't listen to any requests for reconciliation because nothing good will come from continuing this relationship.

LongRoadtoNowhere · 10/04/2023 07:37

I’m so sorry to hear this OP. He’s an absolute shit and none of this is your fault.

Out of interest, why did his first marriage not work out?

Fiftysoon · 10/04/2023 07:41

His mask has slipped and this is the true face of the man. You are non of the things he said you are. Hopefully, you will get a speedy divorce.

MrsRickAstley · 10/04/2023 07:45

Yes it's over. But it sounds like it's a good thing that it is. Don't let family tell you otherwise. Be strong, know your mind & don't settle.

You don't want to be with someone that you are wondering where they are at 2am (or obviously cheats). Demand more. Find your self respect.

You will be ok. It's not the end of the world.

UnshakenNeedsStirring · 10/04/2023 08:05

Asian here, so I can understand why you shared the issues with the wider family. Do leave him OP. I am sorry you are going thru this nightmare, it will end. You need to end this Get a divorce. Hugs

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