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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:
Pipsquiggle · 10/12/2024 22:04

Hope your ex has the sense to come round only when you have agreed to it.
You are doing brilliantly OP. Keep having faith in yourself x

BigAnne · 10/12/2024 22:05

Thisisnotmyid · 10/12/2024 18:54

Is It possible for someone to move in with you just now OP? Either your brother, sis in law or even parents? Just for a few days or a week or two to keep you company and help with your wee one while you get some rest?

It might be worth asking one of them to be your ‘go between’. At some point he will need to see your dc and you might find it easier just now having communication go through another family member. Plus your DC will no doubt be missing their dad (I’m not saying that’s your fault in any way!).

Excellent idea

Respectisnotoptional · 10/12/2024 22:17

Zonder · 10/12/2024 21:54

I hope he doesn't just turn up and respects your need for peace.

Yes for now, simply this,I would get your brother to message him and say for your sake and the baby’s sake he needs to respect your need to be left alone.
He must know that with the baby due so soon it’s the only decent thing to do.
I will add my good wishes for you OP, I’m so pleased you have a good family who are there for you.

CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 10/12/2024 22:17

Wishing you a decent night’s sleep tonight @Waffletots

You are awesome how you are handling this miserable situation!

Horses7 · 10/12/2024 22:24

You are doing so well OP - keep strong for your family.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 10/12/2024 22:26

@Waffletots I feel, at this stage of your pregnancy, you might feel better having someone to stay (mum or dad or sis in law or bro) in case you go into labour anyway. x

BeDenimPombear · 10/12/2024 22:29

Thinking of you Waffle...you are doing amazing, I am in awe🌻🌸💐

Candy24 · 10/12/2024 22:37

Please dont leave the house. I feel for you. I personally would get a family member to mind your little one there while you have to baby. My friends ex used while she was in hospital giving birth to move back in. it was a nightmare. Your amazing.

Grrrpredictivetex · 10/12/2024 22:41

.

Getupat8amnow · 10/12/2024 22:42

You are amazing OP. Keep going, keep strong.

KittieKath · 10/12/2024 22:42

I haven't read all of this, but I am honestly in awe of your dignity and strength @Waffletots You have handled this with such grace. Your children are lucky to have such a wonderful mum. and i am so glad your family are so supportive.

Two very quick things:
1 - Could you ask someone (your brother?) to send him a message to ask that he does not return to the house unannounced? That if he wants to go to the home, to let you or your brother know in advance so you can prepare or make yourself scarce. He owes you your privacy at least, and I can't imagine how it must feel to be left on edge wondering if he will walk in the door.

2 - I admire you for putting your children first - and protecting your little one in your tummy from your emotions as best you can. Please ask a family member or a friend to be with you in those first few days after birth. That hormone purge is tough at the best of times, so please surround yourself with love and protection during that time.

At the end of the day, you have two beautiful children who will bring you more joy than any man ever would. The love you share with them is absolute. And your future as a mummy to them will be gorgeous.

Stay tough, OP. You are incredible x

Workingthroughit · 10/12/2024 22:51

Bless you OP. This is a huge shock and a lot to process, but you are handling it with dignity and maturity which often evades MN.
Glad you have seen a solicitor. Things will fall into place once you get the ball rolling. Only time will tell what he will want RE access, but try not to worry about that for now. Just make sure your employment is stable and strong, that you only allow him access to the house to get his stuff when you aren't there, and don't allow him to stress you out during the birth.

Coffeeisnecessary · 10/12/2024 22:51

I just wanted to say I'm in absolutely awe of you OP, you are being so strong. I hope everything goes well with the birth (and hope for your sake that it's not too soon). What a woman you are!

Lunde · 10/12/2024 22:51

Don't answer him at all. Why should you jump to his timetable and agenda? You need to be trying to relax and prepare for the baby - not having to listen to whatever lame and self-serving excuses that he has spent several days thinking up. His selfishness and coldness is truly gobsmacking - he doesn't even pretend to be sorry!

I was lucky that my ex played stupid games and won the prize of me changing the locks. I had arranged a day for him to come and collect his stuff and worked late at the office. When I got home I found the front door left wide open - so I sent him a message saying that I thought the front door lock must be defective as the door was open when I got home so needed to change the locks for security purposes. 😀He didn't object as he would have had to admit that he had left it open to play games.

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 10/12/2024 22:55

He is a piece of work.

Have ANY of his messages included the word “sorry”, or enquired after your welfare?

‘WE Get past this for the sake of the children” ! How dare he? What he means by that is can YOU live a miserable unloved life with a man you can’t trust so that he can have his family life . Guilt tripping you rather than apologising.

I do think marriages can survive affairs, I have seen it happen. But the road to recovery doesn’t start with the betraying partner following up with manipulative guilt tripping and accusatory aggressive messages like ‘are you going to talk to me?’.

How willing is your bro to assist as a messenger for now? It might help if you take control of the communication, and cut him off from turning up at the house on his own terms. E.g ask your bro To tell him he can come to the house at a particular time to gather stuff, and your brother be there but not you. Maybe have your bro tell him your child is fine, but you do not wish to be in contact at present

Beentheredonethat0 · 10/12/2024 22:55

@Waffletots
You are doing so well and are so strong. It's a rollercoaster of emotion which is understandable. We all admire your resolve.

For what it's worth here is my advice, similar to what has already been said.
But some other key points.

A) Keep keys in your doors, you are entitled to keep the home secure at night. as anyone would for genuine security reasons.
B) Reach out to him with either a short email or SMS, you have to be as tactical as possible at this point. State that you need to focus on the coming birth and need as little stress as possible. And that if he needs more of his items from the home, you will have them packed and he can collect from X and liaise with them to meet (your brother or father).

State that given the circumstances you would prefer he didn't turn up unannounced. And to please make arrangements with you and your family.
Keep stating about you and your family.
I suggest asking him in this message to respond that he 'understands' and agrees with this arrangement.
This is quite important, you need to know if he can subvert his own emotional state for the sake of your wellbeing and that of your unborn child. And respect your wishes on this.

The reason I say this Waffletots is that so far, he has expressed incredulity and indignation to your lack of response/communication. No expression of concern for your current state of pregnancy or that of your toddler. There has been no apology or contrition. No indication that he accepts responsibility.
I wouldn't necessarily expect him to apologise at all, so don't wait for it.
But the fact he's not expressed any concern for your wellbeing given what has happened is worrying.
His responses imply that he is angry and frustrated at a situation you are now determining and driving. And he is not able to manipulate the situation to how he wants. There's seemingly little concern or empathy there.

You need to ascertain whether or not he can be responsible at a time of physical and emotional difficulty for him.

That's what I'd do, I would want to know if in all this he can be reasonable when in a state of great difficulty.
If he flips out at this, or doesn't respond or agree, and argues then you have your answer.

Likewise, don't allow yourself to be alone with him. Always have another present and that he respect this.
You can always justify this as concern for the coming birth/contraction and birth plan, but you need to have someone with you.

As ultimately Waffletots, his infidelity is horrible, but more specifically you don't really know him or who he really is. He's lied and lied to you consistently for such a long period of time. And you don't know his motivations for this affair, act as such.

C) I recommend you have a family member with you at the house, preferably brother or father.
D) Purchase a Ring/Blink front door camera or similar and install. It will give you some comfort.

The reality Waffletots is that you will have to remain in contact with this man for the coming future and make more long term arrangements re the house.

Keep all of your correspondence calm and civil.
Best of luck and look after yourself always. xx

Thursdaygirl · 10/12/2024 22:57

Unfortunately if he owns or part owns the house, I think he can legally let himself in?

BeAzureAnt · 10/12/2024 22:59

Ask the solicitor for advice on what to text/how to communicate. Document from the beginning
Brother as intermediary is an excellent idea
I wish you all the best and a safe delivery. Your husband is a real idiot.

GoFaster83 · 10/12/2024 23:02

Ah OP I'm so sorry. No one deserves this and you're showing a frankly remarkable level of grace, dignity and composure. Best of luck to you going forward.

MintShaker · 10/12/2024 23:05

Waffletots · 10/12/2024 21:12

You never know what will happen when those baby hormones kick in but unless I completely loose my mind (which I won’t with family around and if I keep talking) I will never trust him again so for me, the relationship is over for good.
Honestly I feel many emotions all at the same time, I’m swinging from one to the next constantly but I’m trying to keep my head level and concentrate on what’s important here, my children, everything else will come together in time (I hope!)

Everything will come together. You know the old saying, everything will be alright in the end, if things aren't alright, it's not the end.

I don't mean this badly, but I was glad to read that you had a bit of a cry with your midwife. I'm sure your feelings are whizzing around but you do need some time to get some of the feelings out.

You're incredible. Your 3yr old and bump are incredibly lucky to have you.

Confusedmeanderings · 10/12/2024 23:06

I am in awe of you OP. I think it would be a good idea to have a family member staying with you so that you are not alone when you go into labour.

Powerofflower · 10/12/2024 23:15

I’d check with a solicitor but I would probably choose to only communicate by email. Have your boundaries in place. Decide if/when you want him to see your daughter. You need to know where he is staying and how he expects to do that. If the baby is newborn I would have thought only supervised contact if you are breast feeding the baby. If he has ran to ow this will make it harder for you. I think he has probably been pretending to be someone he is not. Hence no apology. When baby is here you will be tired and emotional and not needing to give in to his demands. Good luck.

Imbusytodaysorry · 10/12/2024 23:17

Whatthechicken · 10/12/2024 21:39

Of course you are experiencing a whole range of emotions. I am in awe of how you are handling this, I really am.

You will have tough times to come and you will wobble - because you loved this man, you had a past, a present and planned a future with him. You will be grieving everything you thought you knew and everything you expected to come.

But, this man is a con-man. He is not the man he presented himself as. When you are in your most vulnerable state, when you are questioning whether you can do this alone…please remind yourself that if you”d have known he was capable of having an affair whilst planning a baby with his wife - there is no way you’d have married him. Please, do not settle now for anything less than you (or your children) are worth.

You’re a diamond, show your children that you don’t have to take second best, you are worth much more than that. You’ll be better off on your own than with this sorry excuse for a man. I wish you all the very best and all the strength in the world.

I agree . OP deserve better and she sounds amazing and her kids will be fine with her and her family .

Hopefully OP keeps her strength up and him away from her for good.

Tahlbias · 10/12/2024 23:22

Honestly, I am awe of how you are handling this. I've followed you from your first post, to you second and now this one. Purely just to check that you're ok. I wouldn't want to ever look at him ever again! Sending big hugs xx

Longsight2019 · 10/12/2024 23:27

Just a thought about how outing this thread may be given your pregnancy and the specifics.

I wanted to comment not to discourage you from posting, but if he was to be forwarded this by a friend or family making the link it could give him insight into your thinking and next moves.

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