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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be jealous of ex's colleagues and want to know where I stand.

15 replies

PlainJaneBrain · 12/07/2025 20:02

Long story shortish, 25 years together, never married but 2 DC now pretty much grown up. Hands up - reason for splitting is something I did 18 -20 years ago which he never got over. In Feb 23 we agreed to trial separation, at that time both DC's still in school. We jointly bought a 1 bed flat a short walk from our home (which involved us remortgaging the house). We agreed that rather than uproot the kids we'd live as normal a family life as possible at home, but one or the other would each take turns to stay in the flat for a few days at a time and the other at home with the kids. It worked pretty well. We agreed 💯 that neither was allowed to bring a date or even potential date to the flat, not that either of us was looking but given the history it had to be said.

In recent months it looked like we might reconcile, we've slept together a handful of times, but apart from once we've not spent the whole night together.

But then he took on a work role that meant travelling to another city 1-2 days a month, occasionally more than that, always returning home at the end of each day despite a very long journey and he'd always keep in touch with me and the kids saying he didn't like being away. However his enthusiasm for his new colleagues, pretty much all female, is obvious. In one sense I'm glad he's got his mojo back, our separation was depressing and he wasn't himself for years which was sad to watch.

He says nothing has occurred between him anyone else and I believe him, at least so far. He recently brought me to a work function and it was obvious he's well liked among these female colleagues, evidently admired even by a couple and after a few drinks there was some pretty clear flirting, I'd say objectively, them more towards him. He's in his early 50's and physically looking better than he ever has.

It's niggled at me a bit since then, but yesterday he's told me he's offered one of these 'colleagues' to stay at the flat overnight midweek rather than her having to take a 2.5 hour train journey home late at night. I didn't make a massive issue of it, but when he could see that I was bothered he said he'd happily come and stay at the house with me, and that he was just trying to be kind and helpful.

AIBU to want to ask him where I stand?

OP posts:
Galectable · 12/07/2025 20:29

It sounds like you need to properly separate. The current set up is too half hearted, you still feel he's yours. Jealousy is a horrible feeling and best avoided. It's time you talked and set some new boundaries.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 12/07/2025 20:32

You’re not unreasonable. You agreed no one else in the flat and he’s broken the promise.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 12/07/2025 20:36

Time to finish things properly.

See a solicitor, you split over 2 years ago, life goes on.

Of course not being married makes it so much harder for you and 50/50 of all assets. hence you need legal advice, and stop having sex with him it's just confusing you both.

Endofyear · 12/07/2025 20:39

Are you hoping for a reconciliation OP? It sounds like you are in a kind of no-man's land where the rules are ambiguous i.e. you're technically separated so either of you could date someone. I think you need clarity as to whether you're still a couple or not.
Re having a colleague stay at the flat, if you are uncomfortable with that, you're well within your rights to say no I think. The flat belong to both of you so he shouldn't have anyone staying there if you're not happy about it.

Flashout · 12/07/2025 20:40

You need to cut this dead. Get out and stay out. There’s no future for someone who is using something from 20 years ago as a stick to beat you with. He should have decided to move on from it or ended up, not gone on like this.

Take back control and tell him to take a running jump.

And stop shagging him.

MuckFusk · 12/07/2025 20:48

It seems to me that you don't actually believe him, otherwise why be jealous? At the very least you fear he is going to have sex with the woman in question. So I would start the conversation by mentioning to him that you had both agreed that nobody else was to be in the flat. Then ask him outright if he is making an exception because he is having sex with her or planning to. His answer will tell you what you need to know. If he gets angry and tries to turn it around on you, he's probably lying. If he says; "Of course not!" in a too emphatic way, same. It he evades answering (example; "Why on earth would you think that?!") changes the subject or takes too long to answer, same. If he says no as he looks you straight in the eye, making too much of a thing about not blinking or shifting his gaze, same. If he considers the question for a moment before answering and then answers in his regular tone of voice, he's more likely to be telling the truth. Then to further test his truthfulness you can ask him about the flirting, see if he's willing to admit he enjoys it.

LittlleMy · 12/07/2025 21:01

I’m confused tbh. Sounds like you still hold a torch for him even though the split seems to be driven by his inability to get over whatever happened 20 years ago and so he doesn’t want to get back with you? Bit then you guys are still sleeping together when it suits which sounds v odd given the big flat purchase and lifestyle change you’ve made. Also DH feels the need to constantly keep in touch with you not liking being away. Then you’re clocking every female interaction with his work colleagues to the point of being jealous.

It sounds like DH hasn’t got the nerve to bite the bullet and just make a clean physical and sexual break from you. And you’re not help8mg either - understandable as sounds like you didn’t want the split - by agreeing to sleep with him amd go to work functions with him. But why would you want to be with someone who is unable to fully commit to you?! I agree with the PP you really need to make a clean break as this sounds messy as heck. If your DH is still a bit of a hottie and his colleagues think he’s single, it’s not going to be long before he starts a relationship with one of them and then think how hurt you’ll be.

BebeBelle · 13/07/2025 13:30

it sounds to me like the trial separation has made you both realise you still like each other. The fact that he still comes home and offers to stay home with you whilst colleague is in the flat, and he takes you to a work do… I might have misread this but it read like you both still have unresolved feelings. I would fight for this before those other women get to him. But that’s just me.
maybe counselling to deal with whatever happened in the past?
you need to just have an open conversation and you need to be honest with him that if he feels something for any of the other women you would rather a clean break first and he can go and explore that after you break up.

PlainJaneBrain · 20/07/2025 00:08

Posting having had a drink tonight so this could be dangerous, but is there anything wrong in seeing an ex as hot sometimes? More so since we split, he looks like his old self both physically and in his character that attracted me to him first time around.

OP posts:
ByLimeAnt · 20/07/2025 00:55

I think it's entirely reasonable. I still fancy my ex husband... wouldn't want to be with him but he's certainly looking good 25 years on from meeting him!

JLou08 · 20/07/2025 01:07

It's been over 2 years. You both need to move on. I don't think you should ask where you stand, I think you should tell him it's time to stop blurring the lines and start living separate lives.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 20/07/2025 09:54

If you want to get back together with him op, suggest this to him and perhaps counselling to help you move on from your (infidelity?)

You'll have a clear yes or no to see if he's willing to try.

If he's not then stop shagging him, separate properly and have some boundaries and date others.

PlainJaneBrain · 20/07/2025 18:00

PlainJaneBrain · 20/07/2025 00:08

Posting having had a drink tonight so this could be dangerous, but is there anything wrong in seeing an ex as hot sometimes? More so since we split, he looks like his old self both physically and in his character that attracted me to him first time around.

After posting this last night, by coincidence I came across the article 👇 today, not dissimilar to our situation although we're not back together. The handful of occasions we've slept together since separating it's been different, free, more instinctive and altogether better than it used to be.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jul/20/this-is-how-we-do-it-sex-with-ex-break-up-get-back-together

This is how we do it: ‘We broke up and started having the most amazing sex’

After splitting up, Fred and Hester decided to sleep with other people – while still being intimate with each other. Now back together, they’ve never been happier

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jul/20/this-is-how-we-do-it-sex-with-ex-break-up-get-back-together

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 20/07/2025 22:38

If youd like to reconcile id use this girl staying at the flat and his offer of being at the house if it bothered you.. id say to him what if you just came home.. every night

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 20/07/2025 23:27

'reason for splitting is something I did 18 -20 years ago which he never got over.'

Surely until he does get over whatever you did 18-20 years ago, he will be unable to resume a relationship with you.

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