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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I feel so betrayed and hurt by DH

582 replies

Namechange20002 · 25/03/2025 18:56

Have found out tonight that DH has been speaking to his female friend about our sex life, relationship issues, really intimate personal things. I just feel so betrayed, hurt and embarrassed, and I don’t know how to come back from this.

We have three young children and haven’t been having a great deal of sex or intimacy for some time. He’s shared all of this with her, even messaged her: “bought xxx a toy so that she can satisfy herself, this is in the hope that it will help her feel more in the right headspace/mood”

I feel such a deep level of embarrassment and betrayal, I’m such a private person. I would never in a million years share details of our sex life or marriage problems with friends, and I never thought he would have either. Ive honestly never felt betrayed like this, I just don’t know how to move on from this.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 27/03/2025 16:28

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:18

No, lots of people share personal secrets with their friends. For those who don't have a therapist, who else is there to share with?
Loads of people on MN don't believe in platonic friendships between men and women though and OP's update seems to suggest they may be right in this case.

Would you share the explicit detail that he went into with his 'friend'?

Yes, many do share in general terms with their friends, but she might as well have been standing by the bed!

Not appropriate at all in my book

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:30

Nanny0gg · 27/03/2025 16:28

Would you share the explicit detail that he went into with his 'friend'?

Yes, many do share in general terms with their friends, but she might as well have been standing by the bed!

Not appropriate at all in my book

The things about frequency, no, but I've had friends tell me about a boyfriend's impotence, a male friend about the impact of anti-depressants, etc. Still very personal things and people do need to share sometimes. It's not the sharing in itself, but the aim of it, whether it's innocent or he is trying to seduce his friend.

TheGentleOpalMember · 27/03/2025 16:41

Namechange20002 · 27/03/2025 15:01

There’s something about the timing of this that isn’t sitting right with me either. The argument he shared with her that started it all was by no means the worst one we’ve had. Yes we weren’t in a good place at that point, but we’ve previously been in worse I think, so why now. The only difference I can see is that now she is single. So it feels like she became single and he suddenly starts the dialogue of how awful I am, I don’t get any affection from her etc. And she just laps it up, so it’s both of them. Also rereading the messages it’s her that asks him several times, how often do you have sex, how often did you have it before kids. She’s a disgusting excuse for a human being.

I’ve been feeling anger more than anything else today, at both of them.
We had a long talk earlier, my anger and hurt kept coming out. He appears to be genuinely remorseful and can’t believe he’s done this. But he has done it, we can’t change that, it’s just whether or not we can move past this. He wants to do everything he can to show me how sorry he is, has taken full responsibility for everything and has blocked her.

He's researched and contacted a counsellor and we’re booked in for next week. She also does bereavement counselling, so could also help me process the loss of my mum. At the very least it will hopefully help us communicate, even if it’s just how to navigate coparenting if this turns out to be something we can’t move past.

He’s going to take the kids to his parents this weekend, either for the day or overnight, so we can have a bit of space. I’m just trying to be somewhat normal for the kids now as yesterday all three were very emotional in response to all the upset and tension in the house, which hurts my heart. I ended up doing bedtime and stories for all three as they all wanted mummy, they must all have been feeling anxious and uncertain. My DD has certainly seemed better today than yesterday, which is good.

Also rereading the messages it’s her that asks him several times, how often do you have sex, how often did you have it before kids. She’s a disgusting excuse for a human being.

My god. I hate to say I told you so @JHound but I hope you are reading this and are genuinely feeling stupid for doubting those of us who called it and called it early. This OW is a slimy greasy slt that has been sowing seeds for a long time. Those of us who saw it? Vindicated*. Even OP says she is a vile woman. So what do you say now. Huh?

To the OPs husband, if he is still reading. You're a fucking fool. A fucking idiot. This disgusting little slut has been manipulating this from day one. And you couldn't see it. She has been after you. And you, YOU, are about to lose your family, your 3 children, every thing. For this dirty little filthy disgusting thing. I ask you; is it really worth it? Do you really want to lose your wife, the mother of your child, every day contact with your children? For a manipulative little filthy little greasy thing? Really? Will you WAKE THE FUCK UP before you lose everything. Cut contact with that 'friend' of yours. She is no good. She will ruin your life. And do honestly think she will stick around once she has you? She knows the saying 'once you marry the mistress you create a vacancy'. Your relationship with that vile woman will mean you will have to pay maintenance and have your children 50%. Do you honestly worth that? Is that filthy woman really really worth it? Losing your family? Ask yourself: is it really? Cut contact with that toxic woman forever. Then get marriage therapy and show genuine remorse for your emotional affair - and be honest; that is what it was. Your wife is worth 5 trillion times the pos that thing on the side you have is. Choose your family - or that disgusting toxic thing.

Choose, and choose wisely.

AstonishedWaiting · 27/03/2025 16:44

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:30

The things about frequency, no, but I've had friends tell me about a boyfriend's impotence, a male friend about the impact of anti-depressants, etc. Still very personal things and people do need to share sometimes. It's not the sharing in itself, but the aim of it, whether it's innocent or he is trying to seduce his friend.

I can honestly say I have never discussed my sex life with DH with anyone (or indeed my sex life at all, outside of anecdotes from one night stands from the distant past and the like) but certainly friends of both sexes have told me intimate details of theirs. Absolutely no intent to seduce, and not because of reciprocating my sexual revelations.

SnoopyPajamas · 27/03/2025 17:17

It sounds like he feels the relationship is over. With no sex or intimacy between you, he likely feels you have become like housemates. He probably doesn't want to leave the kids or hurt your feelings (hence the "daddy messed up" tears to your DC) but he seems open to the idea of leaving, in a way that makes me think in his head, the relationship between you two is done.

I don't know if he began talking to this friend in the hopes a female perspective would help him fix things between you. But I think your gut instinct now is right. His feelings have shifted out of a platonic space, and he is lining this woman up as a potential love interest in his head. The solo coffees, the fact that she's single and "leaning on him" too, the general vibe that he wants her to feel sorry for him because his wife is so cold . . . it all adds up. The fact that he want back and deleted all those WhatsApp messages would be a huge red flag to me too. I doubt it's physical, but it may be in emotional affair territory. Or headed there.

Counselling is a good idea, but it sounds like he's already halfway out the door, emotionally. I'm sorry.

DonnaDonna0 · 27/03/2025 17:17

Come on posters saying their ok with this and he’s free to share with friends.
There’s sharing and sharing and he’s crossed a line most would not put up with.
The fact he’s starting doing this just when this female friend has became single is the massive red flag OP can obviously see.
After reading some posts it never fails to amaze me what some women think is acceptable behaviour.

lifeonmars100 · 27/03/2025 17:21

That would be the end for me, the end of trust, the end of respect and the end of love. How horrible to find this out.

MumOnBus · 27/03/2025 17:23

I think the trust is long gone, from what u see here. Looking at his WhatsApp messages (where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy) is something else I would bring up in counselling. Also. You have disclosed a lot of intimate details about your relationship, not to your friend you've known for three decades, but to a bunch of strangers, in a public forum, amongst which, don't be surprised, there are probably people you both know and will be able to join the dots as you have given out lots of identifying information.
Definitely go to counselling and explore why each of you feel they can share such intimate problems in your relationship and ask for advice to other people (be it a friend or hundreds of strangers!) rather than first and foremost TALK TO EACH OTHER.
Only both of you can work it out, not just for the sake of the three kids involved but for the love you each deserve for each other.
I really hope you can work it out x

Grammarnut · 27/03/2025 17:24

Namechange20002 · 27/03/2025 10:13

I can’t actually believe this is my life right now, it’s like I’m watching it from afar like a TV drama, it doesn’t feel real to me.

Yesterday was just an awful day. I kept thinking he’ll come and talk to me in a minute and apologise, but I waited and nothing. I eventually had to go to him. There was just zero emotion from him, his eyes were dead, his face looked irritated at having to talk about this, there was no remorse. He kept mumbling that he’s not good with words, he doesn’t know what to say etc. There was no heartfelt apology, no emotion at all.
He seemed to jump on any discussion of separating, like is it best for me to move out, is selling the house something you want to do. It was heart wrenching.

I asked what else he had been saying about me and us to her. He went back to early Feb in his phone (although I’m not naive to think it probably went back further). It started with detailed relaying of very specific arguments we’d had at that time. We used to sit on the sofa in the evening and watch TV while he rubbed my feet. He tells her, she always wants her feet rubbed, now a chore. She always wants her back rubbed when it hurts, now a chore. The friend jumps in constantly with, what is xxx doing for you, what are your needs. I’ve thought for a long time x and y etc.

He has then told her absolutely every detail of our sex life, talks about blowjobs and handjobs that he doesn’t get, how often we have sex, the exact time we last had sex.

He goes into detail of how much sex we had after each child, “we did it regularly when she was pregnant with DS1, loads of sex trying to get pregnant with DS2, then no sex during that pregnancy”, and it goes on.
So when I was only just pregnant with DS2 my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away when I was 8 months pregnant. Of course he leaves out that piece of information, because why would it be relevant. Honestly writing this all down just makes me feel sick.

The messages between them continue and the overwhelming feeling I get from it is that he really hates me. At that same time in real life I’d even said to him, I constantly get the feeling from you that you don’t even like me. So it’s validating to see from those messages that I wasn’t wrong. He of course claimed at that time and now that it isn’t how he felt, but I don’t believe him.

He made half hearted claims that he doesn’t want us to separate, there was no real feeling there when he said that. I ended up sending him this thread, I said this is my thread, it’s up to you if you want to read it. He came in to me and said he read the first lot of posts and he realises how wrong he’s been. Sad that it takes a load of strangers on the internet to get him to realise that, when his own wife saying it illicits zero feelings.

I came downstairs after putting the kids to bed and he’d been reading through more of the thread. He said I feel sick at what I’ve done. I honestly don’t think he feels sick at his betrayal and what he’s done to me, I think he feels sick at the realisation that he’s not Mr nice guy, great husband. It’s pages and pages of people saying he’s a horrible person, he’s an arsehole, what a betrayal, what a nasty thing to do. I guarantee it that thats made him feel sick.

He then wanted to talk. At this point there did appear to be genuine emotion from him and a heartfelt apology. I’m finding it so hard though to reconcile that person and that apparent remorse with how he was earlier in the day. I asked him to read back to himself all the messages he’d sent her about us. He did that and said he feels even more sick now. He doesn’t know why he did it, or why he thought it was appropriate thing to do.

He said he will cut all contact with her, he wants to do counselling etc. So we will do the counselling. I don’t owe it to him, but I do owe it to my children.
There’s a post above asking how on earth I carry on an actual marriage and intimacy with this person, what does that look like. And this is the problem, how on earth do you come back from this. To me this is unforgivable, there’s no trust now.

Blow jobs he doesn't get? What entitles him to blow jobs? You get those if your sexual partner is in to them. Late DH did without - I don't like doing it so don't. End of.
Your DH sounds a bit entitled to me.

MissDoubleU · 27/03/2025 17:36

You’re right when you say the trust is gone. There is absolutely no way to come back from this.

The timing of it was nothing to do with your argument and everything to do with the OW ending her relationship. Everything he said to her is from the cheating husband handbook. My wife doesn’t do anything for me, we never have sex. It’s a sexless marriage and all I do is endlessly massage her feet. Me, the doting father and husband. Never rewarded for all I do. And doesn’t your new tattoo look great wink wink.

He knows he’s messed up because he knows, and trust me he KNOWS (and if you’re reading this Husband, we all fucking know it too) he was trying to instigate something with this other woman. Why else is he so willing to cut all contact with her now? After a loving friendship stretching back to when they were 16 you said?

Because he, and we, know that he was hopeful it was not just a friendship. He wanted some gratification.

“I never get blowjobs”

And the devil will be skating to work when you get another off your poor loving wife, lad. I hope you’re truly ashamed of yourself. Not in a “I ruined my life, I’m so sad” way. In a genuinely remorseful for how you’ve ruined your wife’s trust in you and everything you’ve built with her.

sandyhappypeople · 27/03/2025 17:37

Twinkletoes127 · 27/03/2025 15:42

My bar is very high, it's why my husband has full autonomy and can choose which aspects of his life to share with whoever he pleases. As can I.
There's nothing that he could say that I would be ashamed or embarrassed by, and as for betrayed, again, not possible as he can talk to whoever about whatever. It's his life. I have chosen to share with him. He can choose to share that if he wants to

I can understand what you are saying, but you are sharing that from your perspective only, of a happy marriage, with no unresolvable problems I assume.

Now pretend you had a medical problem which causes painful sex, and your mum has died, you've had three children and your hormones have took such a dive that sex is probably the last thing you want right now, it is unfortunate for the DH now there is a mismatch in sex drives, but perfectly understandable for someone that loves you and cares about your wellbeing, and OP, who acknowledges there is a problem, but is doing her best to work through it to get back to where you were in the relationship.

NOW pretend your husband has for months been messaging and meeting to confide in a newly single female friend.. except instead of voicing his concerns for you, or venting his frustration at problems in the relationship, he is lying to her, he is telling her that you are completely neglecting his needs, that you doesn't care about him, that you are completely disinterested in making things work, and telling her about the last times you had sex together, when she gave him blow jobs and hand jobs, how often and how many times, yet she isn't doing enough to fulfil him and how dissatisfied he is with her because 'she isn't the wife he wanted'.

Would you honestly be okay with your husband doing that?

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 27/03/2025 17:38

You’re handling this really well OP. I think you are doing everything right. I hope you can get some rest over the weekend.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 27/03/2025 17:41

Gwenhwyfar · 27/03/2025 16:18

No, lots of people share personal secrets with their friends. For those who don't have a therapist, who else is there to share with?
Loads of people on MN don't believe in platonic friendships between men and women though and OP's update seems to suggest they may be right in this case.

Not to this level of intimacy.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 27/03/2025 17:51

SnoopyPajamas · 27/03/2025 17:17

It sounds like he feels the relationship is over. With no sex or intimacy between you, he likely feels you have become like housemates. He probably doesn't want to leave the kids or hurt your feelings (hence the "daddy messed up" tears to your DC) but he seems open to the idea of leaving, in a way that makes me think in his head, the relationship between you two is done.

I don't know if he began talking to this friend in the hopes a female perspective would help him fix things between you. But I think your gut instinct now is right. His feelings have shifted out of a platonic space, and he is lining this woman up as a potential love interest in his head. The solo coffees, the fact that she's single and "leaning on him" too, the general vibe that he wants her to feel sorry for him because his wife is so cold . . . it all adds up. The fact that he want back and deleted all those WhatsApp messages would be a huge red flag to me too. I doubt it's physical, but it may be in emotional affair territory. Or headed there.

Counselling is a good idea, but it sounds like he's already halfway out the door, emotionally. I'm sorry.

Those conversations had zero angle of trying to fix things.

Suzuki76 · 27/03/2025 17:59

MumOnBus · 27/03/2025 17:23

I think the trust is long gone, from what u see here. Looking at his WhatsApp messages (where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy) is something else I would bring up in counselling. Also. You have disclosed a lot of intimate details about your relationship, not to your friend you've known for three decades, but to a bunch of strangers, in a public forum, amongst which, don't be surprised, there are probably people you both know and will be able to join the dots as you have given out lots of identifying information.
Definitely go to counselling and explore why each of you feel they can share such intimate problems in your relationship and ask for advice to other people (be it a friend or hundreds of strangers!) rather than first and foremost TALK TO EACH OTHER.
Only both of you can work it out, not just for the sake of the three kids involved but for the love you each deserve for each other.
I really hope you can work it out x

Good point. After all, there's only one early-40s mum of 3 with a 7 year old on a site called Mumsnet.

ButThisIsMyHappyFace · 27/03/2025 18:00

Twinkletoes127 · 27/03/2025 15:54

Well if being in a wonderful loving relationship where we shine together, and also thrive independently is your idea of in the toilet, I'm good with that.

Oh sit down. We’ve seen you.

Twinkletoes127 · 27/03/2025 18:02

sandyhappypeople · 27/03/2025 17:37

I can understand what you are saying, but you are sharing that from your perspective only, of a happy marriage, with no unresolvable problems I assume.

Now pretend you had a medical problem which causes painful sex, and your mum has died, you've had three children and your hormones have took such a dive that sex is probably the last thing you want right now, it is unfortunate for the DH now there is a mismatch in sex drives, but perfectly understandable for someone that loves you and cares about your wellbeing, and OP, who acknowledges there is a problem, but is doing her best to work through it to get back to where you were in the relationship.

NOW pretend your husband has for months been messaging and meeting to confide in a newly single female friend.. except instead of voicing his concerns for you, or venting his frustration at problems in the relationship, he is lying to her, he is telling her that you are completely neglecting his needs, that you doesn't care about him, that you are completely disinterested in making things work, and telling her about the last times you had sex together, when she gave him blow jobs and hand jobs, how often and how many times, yet she isn't doing enough to fulfil him and how dissatisfied he is with her because 'she isn't the wife he wanted'.

Would you honestly be okay with your husband doing that?

All couples have issues, at times. Why would you think otherwise.
I'm ok with my husband having someone to talk to if he wanted to.
Ii would be ok with my husband doing all that. Sorry but I would.
There are so many things I would do differently than OP, and controlling what he said and to who he says it would be one of the differences.

sandyhappypeople · 27/03/2025 18:03

I'm so sorry OP, I was really hoping to come back to the thread to read he was shell shocked to have been caught out but has since come to you to genuinely apologise and show remorse and to explain everything and why he felt he needed to do it.

Only to read that he has been annoyed with you ever since, and has ONLY apologised after you have shown him this thread.. his apology is absolutely meaningless, he hasn't apologised in acknowledgement of wrongdoing on his part, because he doesn't think he is wrong, he has apologised because so many people are absolutely disgusted at his behaviour.

I don't think what he said to the other woman was an act, I think he genuinely feels all the problems in your relationship are because you are 'broken' and he feels perfectly entitled to share his frustrations about that.

Three children, grief and medical problems and he has chosen to hurt you in the most unimaginable way.. he couldn't even muster an apology until he was forced to, he is a disgusting human being and a vile excuse for a 'husband'.

JayJayj · 27/03/2025 18:04

I personally don’t see an issue. He has problems and needs an outlet to discuss it. Maybe he needed advice. I talk to my best friend all the time.

godmum56 · 27/03/2025 18:05

TheGentleOpalMember · 27/03/2025 16:41

Also rereading the messages it’s her that asks him several times, how often do you have sex, how often did you have it before kids. She’s a disgusting excuse for a human being.

My god. I hate to say I told you so @JHound but I hope you are reading this and are genuinely feeling stupid for doubting those of us who called it and called it early. This OW is a slimy greasy slt that has been sowing seeds for a long time. Those of us who saw it? Vindicated*. Even OP says she is a vile woman. So what do you say now. Huh?

To the OPs husband, if he is still reading. You're a fucking fool. A fucking idiot. This disgusting little slut has been manipulating this from day one. And you couldn't see it. She has been after you. And you, YOU, are about to lose your family, your 3 children, every thing. For this dirty little filthy disgusting thing. I ask you; is it really worth it? Do you really want to lose your wife, the mother of your child, every day contact with your children? For a manipulative little filthy little greasy thing? Really? Will you WAKE THE FUCK UP before you lose everything. Cut contact with that 'friend' of yours. She is no good. She will ruin your life. And do honestly think she will stick around once she has you? She knows the saying 'once you marry the mistress you create a vacancy'. Your relationship with that vile woman will mean you will have to pay maintenance and have your children 50%. Do you honestly worth that? Is that filthy woman really really worth it? Losing your family? Ask yourself: is it really? Cut contact with that toxic woman forever. Then get marriage therapy and show genuine remorse for your emotional affair - and be honest; that is what it was. Your wife is worth 5 trillion times the pos that thing on the side you have is. Choose your family - or that disgusting toxic thing.

Choose, and choose wisely.

I don’t think the choice is his to make now

ButThisIsMyHappyFace · 27/03/2025 18:06

JayJayj · 27/03/2025 18:04

I personally don’t see an issue. He has problems and needs an outlet to discuss it. Maybe he needed advice. I talk to my best friend all the time.

You really don’t have a problem with your OH complaining in explicit and unfiltered detail about your sex life to another woman who he fancies? If you don’t then you’re either a mug or in the most unusual kind of open relationship.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 27/03/2025 18:13

Twinkletoes127 · 27/03/2025 18:02

All couples have issues, at times. Why would you think otherwise.
I'm ok with my husband having someone to talk to if he wanted to.
Ii would be ok with my husband doing all that. Sorry but I would.
There are so many things I would do differently than OP, and controlling what he said and to who he says it would be one of the differences.

Talk, yes. Share this level of intimate detail, absolutely not. WTF business is it of this woman's how often the OP and her husband have sex?!

And it wasn't a private conversation they had either - it was a series of WhatsApp messages.

The OP is controlling nothing, quite clearly!

If you would be ok with this, then there's something wrong with you.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 27/03/2025 18:14

JayJayj · 27/03/2025 18:04

I personally don’t see an issue. He has problems and needs an outlet to discuss it. Maybe he needed advice. I talk to my best friend all the time.

Tell me, what advice did he seek in those messages? I'm damned if I can see it!

BadlyDrawnRoy · 27/03/2025 18:34

Twinkletoes127 · 27/03/2025 15:07

Is he not allowed to discuss his own life with whoever he chooses? I can't see the issue here at all, I'm genuinely confused at all these responses calling him allsorts for discussing his life with a friend, probably asking for advice.
He has every right.
Afterall. Here you are splashing it all over mumsnet.

Really, he's Ok to talk about his wife's sex toy?

Longsummerdays25 · 27/03/2025 18:37

JayJayj · 27/03/2025 18:04

I personally don’t see an issue. He has problems and needs an outlet to discuss it. Maybe he needed advice. I talk to my best friend all the time.

So do I. But we don’t talk about explicit sexual content!! Ever. It would be hugely disrespectful.