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I know his secret…. Thread 3

1000 replies

Waffletots · 10/12/2024 18:35

Starting another thread because the last one is full.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5226374-i-know-his-secret-but-how-do-i-play-this?page=1

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5226809-i-know-his-secret-thread-2?page=1

Thank you so much everyone for your messages, I appreciate them so much and you have truly helped me this past crazy few days to know I have so many people supporting me.
I’ve seen a solicitor this afternoon who has given me some good advice regarding finances and the legalities when it comes to our jointly owned home, a lot to get my head around but I feel a lot more informed now!
I’ve missed two calls from my husband since I last updated, I’m worried he’s going to come to the house to try and speak to me but hoping he may think my brother is still here and not bother!

I know his secret but how do I play this? | Mumsnet

I have been married for five years to who I thought was a wonderful man, we have a child and one on the way. Last night I received a text from his fe...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5226374-i-know-his-secret-but-how-do-i-play-this?page=1

OP posts:
TipsyJoker · 13/12/2024 14:38

RegimentalSturgeon · 13/12/2024 14:34

The circumstances as described in this thread give no grounds for an occupation order.

I have confused the original post with another one I was commenting on where there was domestic abuse. OP should see a lawyer about her housing situation.

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 14:40

"you're going to have to sort out visitation rights for your husband to see his children. I know it's hard, but that's the law. And I'm sure your eldest is starting to wonder where he is. So you need to arrange something quickly." (@BubblesAndNibbles

I'm failing to see why the onus should be on @Waffletotsto make any such arrangements when the cheating twat hasn't even so much as asked how the LO is...??

She's not standing in the way?

@Waffletots I'm hoping you have some good news and that's why you haven't posted for a bit. Very best wishes xx

Lunde · 13/12/2024 14:58

@BubblesAndNibbles "It's brilliant that you have your family supporting you, but legally you're going to have to sort out visitation rights for your husband to see his children. I know it's hard, but that's the law. And I'm sure your eldest is starting to wonder where he is. So you need to arrange something quickly. I can understand you not wanting to speak to him or even see him, but realistically you're going to have to eventually. You can't not ever see him again — he's going to be around for the next 18 years and there'll be times when you'll simply have to communicate or see each other."

What law is it that says that OP needs to run around at this time and organize stuff that her H hasn't asked for?

OP doesn't need to do anything - her ex needs to arrange to see his children if he wishes to. OP can facilitate if, and when he asks. So far it appears that he does not as he has not asked about or asked to see the 3 year old.

Heaping more pressure on a woman that might be giving birth as I type is not very helpful.

betrayedandwobbly · 13/12/2024 15:06

As for the marital home, courts usually always give the mother custody and always make sure they keep to stay in the marital home until the children reach university age. So you've no need to worry on that respect

This is not the case in any part of the UK, where clean break is preferred, and the start point for child arrangement order negotiations is 50/50 (though it won't be like that with such very small DC). You absolutely need your own legal (and probably financial) advice in light of your specific circumstances. And I'd say, don't rush in to any agreements. Find a holding pattern, then sort it out in more detail once fully recovered from the birth.

There's no need for OP to offer contact until he requests it. As he hadn't asked after the DC in the messages that the OP has described so far, then he doesn't seem to be in any hurry

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 15:10

@letthemalldoone

"you're going to have to sort out visitation rights for your husband to see his children. I know it's hard, but that's the law. And I'm sure your eldest is starting to wonder where he is. So you need to arrange something quickly." (@BubblesAndNibbles

I'm failing to see why the onus should be on @Waffletotsto make any such arrangements when the cheating twat hasn't even so much as asked how the LO is...??

She's not standing in the way?"

You're right and I worded that poorly. My mistake. What I meant was that when her husband asks to see his child (children), whenever that may be, she will have to come to an arrangement so he can see them.

His inexcusable behaviour doesn't alter the fact he's their father and if she were to prevent him seeing them the courts would take a dim view of that. It's very early day yet, but he's bound to want to see his child and newborn and as the law stands he has every right to. So until any divorce proceedings commence and access/custody rights are issued legally, it wouldn't be in her interests to stop him seeing them. Not just legally, but for the eldest child's sake, especially.

Mind you, it's still very early days yet and no-one knows what the outcome of all this will be. Sometimes, things take a surprising change of course and whilst I'm not suggesting @Waffletots will forgive him some women will do once their initial pain and anger has subsided.

She doesn't sound like she will forgive him, and it would be incredibly hard to, but people's emotions can change unexpectedly and as it's such early days anything is possible. Personally, I couldn't forgive him, but many women do forgive affairs even though they'll never forget.

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 15:25

@BubblesAndNibbles I'm pretty sure the OP said at one point that she wanted her child to see their father. So I don't think she is going to do anything to prevent that, and rightly so for the child's sake.

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 15:46

@Lunde
"What law is it that says that OP needs to run around at this time and organize stuff that her H hasn't asked for?

OP doesn't need to do anything - her ex needs to arrange to see his children if he wishes to. OP can facilitate if, and when he asks. So far it appears that he does not as he has not asked about or asked to see the 3 year old.

Heaping more pressure on a woman that might be giving birth as I type is not very helpful"

I worded that poorly as I've already explained to another poster, which you'll see below.

Of course I wouldn't expect the poor wife to run around after her husband who's been cheating on her — I certainly never suggested that at all.

I simply explained that she will need to allow him access to his children, which she's apparently already said she'll be doing.

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 16:14

@betrayedandwobbly

There is no rule to say that the family home has to be sold upon divorce. The court can in certain circumstances order that the family home be sold, but if there are children a judge will look at whether the family home can be retained for stability if one parent wishes to continue living there, and I believe @Waffletots has already said that the house is jointly owned between them and she earns a good income too — so with the maintenance payments he'll be ordered to pay too — she'll be able to keep the house.

As for him wanting contact, we don't know what's happened since she last posted. He had started calling her phone after his few initial text messages, so I'd be incredibly surprised if he hasn't started becoming frantic and begging to talk/see her. He's hardly just going to walk away from everything and vanish into thin air never to be seen again.

thepariscrimefiles · 13/12/2024 16:32

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 11:10

@waffletots Firstly, I'd like to offer you my deepest sympathies for having to learn your husband has been having an affair when you're 38 weeks pregnant and Christmas is just two weeks away. You sound amazingly strong given this bombshell that's happened, and I admire you for that — many people would fall apart unable to even think — let alone act — and become either hysterical, flare up out of control, or simply curl up in a ball barely able to function. For you to pre-think all your moves, even down to ordering STD tests online, arranging for your three-year-old to stay with your parent's, call round your brother and SIL, pack your husband a bag, plan to send the bombshell texts to him when he pulled up on the drive — I can't tell you how amazing you are.

And then to arrange an appointment with a solicitor within just two days is nothing short of incredible. None of us know how we'd react to such devastating news, but I suspect your husband will have guessed your reaction having been together five years. You sound the calm and collective type and that's a good thing, especially whilst going through this at such a crucial and emotional time.

One thing I noticed in your first post was how you said your husband had occasionally mentioned this OW and for the benefit of some who may not know, this is usually always a big red flag that the woman is on his mind and he has a crush on her: why else would he be thinking of her and worse, mentioning her to you?

What he's done is despicable and no way is it forgivable — certainly when the affair has lasted one whole year. That aside, just because it has lasted a year it doesn't mean he's in-love with her, it's possible she was an ego boost to him for whatever reason and he just enjoyed the sex. Yes, that is absolutely wrong and disgraceful, and in some ways had he truly fell in-love with her against his control, although it's still unforgivable you could half understand why he did something so selfish and reckless.

It sounds, though, that he was just stringing her along, hence him lying to her and not telling her you were planning more babies, so I suspect when she discovered the truth she wanted to hurt him back — and so she did the worst thing possible by telling you. I'm not excusing her as it takes two to Tango, but your husband sounds cold and callous by how you've described his reactions, so you don't know what lies and promises he fed her and I'm sure she went into a tailspin too.

I doubt very much he's staying with her now as he must be furious with her, and he's been caught out by both of you, so at least you have the satisfaction of knowing he's effectively homeless until everything gets sorted.

It's brilliant that you have your family supporting you, but legally you're going to have to sort out visitation rights for your husband to see his children. I know it's hard, but that's the law. And I'm sure your eldest is starting to wonder where he is. So you need to arrange something quickly. I can understand you not wanting to speak to him or even see him, but realistically you're going to have to eventually. You can't not ever see him again — he's going to be around for the next 18 years and there'll be times when you'll simply have to communicate or see each other.

As for the marital home, courts usually always give the mother custody and always make sure they keep to stay in the marital home until the children reach university age. So you've no need to worry on that respect.

Finally, it may help you to seek counselling later down the line as this has been a traumatic time for you and you could unwittingly be burying your pain inside, which needs to be released at some stage.

Good luck for the future and I wish you all the very best.

The onus to sort out visiting rights for her DH is not on the OP. He hasn't mentioned seeing his child or even asked about him in any of his whining emails.

OP's priority is looking after her child and preparing for the birth of her new baby.

ClaudineMallory · 13/12/2024 16:39

Did someone say that the baby is due on Christmas Day?

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 16:41

ClaudineMallory · 13/12/2024 16:39

Did someone say that the baby is due on Christmas Day?

I don't believe the OP said that, no, and she is the only one who knows that information and TBH she should keep it that way!

ClaudineMallory · 13/12/2024 16:46

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 16:41

I don't believe the OP said that, no, and she is the only one who knows that information and TBH she should keep it that way!

I was just asking.

AngelicKaty · 13/12/2024 18:22

TipsyJoker · 13/12/2024 14:12

Apply for an occupation order to allow you to remain in the home and him not be allowed to return.

In order to get an occupation order to keep him out of the house, OP needs to have been a victim of domestic violence (not just abuse e.g. financial) at his hands. She hasn't been. She thought they were happily married until OW threw a hand grenade into her life.

Ydkiml · 13/12/2024 18:50

Think op is either in labour or had baby because she has normally posted by now . If so , hope all has gone well op x

betrayedandwobbly · 13/12/2024 18:56

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 16:14

@betrayedandwobbly

There is no rule to say that the family home has to be sold upon divorce. The court can in certain circumstances order that the family home be sold, but if there are children a judge will look at whether the family home can be retained for stability if one parent wishes to continue living there, and I believe @Waffletots has already said that the house is jointly owned between them and she earns a good income too — so with the maintenance payments he'll be ordered to pay too — she'll be able to keep the house.

As for him wanting contact, we don't know what's happened since she last posted. He had started calling her phone after his few initial text messages, so I'd be incredibly surprised if he hasn't started becoming frantic and begging to talk/see her. He's hardly just going to walk away from everything and vanish into thin air never to be seen again.

I know there isn't (and I hadn't said there was); and more power to waffletots if she can indeed reach an overall agreement that includes buying him out (directly, or trade off against other assets) and staying put.

I was posting because the suggestion from a PP that a mother would get "full custody" and the house until the DC left education. That is not the case - it might happen, but it's not the default.

And is why I said OP should take (as she has begun to do) individual legal and financial advice based on her full and individual circumstances.

BubblesAndNibbles · 13/12/2024 20:50

@betrayedandwobbly

In response to my message here"

"As for the marital home, courts usually always give the mother custody and always make sure they keep to stay in the marital home until the children reach university age. So you've no need to worry on that respect"

You responded with:

This is not the case in any part of the UK, where clean break is preferred, and the start point for child arrangement order negotiations is 50/50 (though it won't be like that with such very small DC). "

Which I read as you saying:

"this is not the case in any part of the UK where a clean break is preferred".

Courts give priority to the wellbeing of the children and much prefer them not be uprooted from the family home, and will try their utmost to keep them in a stable, familiar environment.

Fortunately, in @Waffletots case besides having her own steady and good income, not forgetting the monthly maintenance her husband will have to pay to support her and the children, she's also said her father is financially well-off and supportive of her, so she doesn't have to fear losing her home.

Obviously, her solicitor will have given her all this advice, anyway, but as it's such early days still, not forgetting she's due to give birth imminently, it's highly unlikely she'd need a financial advisor at such an early stage as this when no-one knows what's even going to happen. A financial advisor wouldn't have anything to work with — she only discovered her husband's infidelity just five days ago — so a financial advisor would be totally pointless at such an early stage, if indeed at all.

Fraaances · 13/12/2024 21:15

@Waffletots I hope you are well and all goes swimmingly with the birth of your new baby. I’m so pleased your parents are with you. You sound so strong. I’m so proud of you. Of course you shouldn’t be in this position at all, but you’re not the first or the last and you have an army of mumsnetters to support you to. Just wanted to know were thinking of you.

AnyoneSomeone · 13/12/2024 21:19

Stop bloody tagging her for updates. It's not a soap opera.

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 21:21

ClaudineMallory · 13/12/2024 16:46

I was just asking.

You were, and I was only answering.

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 21:22

AnyoneSomeone · 13/12/2024 21:19

Stop bloody tagging her for updates. It's not a soap opera.

Who has "tagged her for updates"???

I think posters are being respectful in addressing their posts to the OP, rather than referring to her as "the OP"!!!

ClaudineMallory · 13/12/2024 21:23

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 21:21

You were, and I was only answering.

Indeed.

eightIsNewNine · 14/12/2024 01:27

letthemalldoone · 13/12/2024 21:22

Who has "tagged her for updates"???

I think posters are being respectful in addressing their posts to the OP, rather than referring to her as "the OP"!!!

You can easily address your post to Waffle without tagging.

Tagging looks passive aggressive and demanding in this context. No need to notify Waffle about her own thread.

ThatShyRoseViper · 14/12/2024 07:52

AngelicKaty · 13/12/2024 18:22

In order to get an occupation order to keep him out of the house, OP needs to have been a victim of domestic violence (not just abuse e.g. financial) at his hands. She hasn't been. She thought they were happily married until OW threw a hand grenade into her life.

That’s completely untrue @AngelicKaty. There is no requirement stipulated in the Family Law Act 1996 for there to be domestic violence. The test is significant harm, not physical violence. Stop spreading dangerous untruths.

Blackdovedown · 14/12/2024 09:22

He’s an utter shit bag, and well done you for being so strong.
This happened to a friend. She tries again for the sake of the kids, but the trust was gone e and a few years later she split up with her shithead of a DH.
Ironically HE blamed her for the split, she destroyed their family etc. because he had nobly given up the 25 year old at work he was shagging when his DW was at home with a newborn. What a prince!

JFDIYOLO · 14/12/2024 10:02

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