Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think fiancée meeting another woman and lying about it crosses a line?

62 replies

Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 13:15

Apologies in advance for a very long post.

I have been with my fiancée for over 20 years now, we got engaged a long while ago but never married (did not feel the need to, our mutual choice).

Our relationship is generally ok however we are both very busy and I started to notice we are drifting apart for a while. Some of that was due to both of us not prioritizing time together enough. He works Monday to Saturday and I work Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of my finances work he finishes very late in the week (10pm, sometimes later) Sundays were always ‚our’ day we usually spend doing something together. Our sex life isn’t great at the moment, I have a very low libido due to combination of me being on the pill for 30 years and my brain always overthinking everything which does bring my arousal down, and I struggle to get in the mood a lot of the times. He doesn’t always care for foreplay or creating a mood ‚for my head’, which sometimes leads to painful sex for me as I’m not quite aroused enough but he does frequently complain we don’t have sex enough. He has a very healthy sex drive.

He has met a girl a while ago through his work as she was his customer, she is significantly younger thank both of us (late 20s, we are both in early 40s). I guess from there they started getting closer and started chatting frequently on the phone and over messages. Previously and as far as I know they have always met in a group of friends together from my OH work. She is very attractive, fit, obviously very young, very well done (extensions, lashes, lips, facial aesthetics, boobs, typical ‚Instagram’ and OF aesthetic),l, she does quite a lot of influencing work and she frequently posts photos in very risqué outfits, showing a lot of flesh, if you got it you flaunt it and I seriously don’t blame her, that’s how she gets work although it’s not to my taste, I know men do like that kind of very out there visuals.

My fiancé liked all of the photos and posts on her IG. He has a professional account and doesn’t post anything private.

He is thinking of leaving work and opening his new business. I know the girl has been helping him a bit with that, drafting some emails for him to send, stuff like that. I was a little bit hurt tbh that he didn’t ask me because I would gladly help.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t mind a female friendship if it was purely platonic. However what happened today left me feeling very uneasy. I was looking at my OH iPad just reviewing some photos from a holiday that we just came back from when a message popped up from this girl that she was coming downstairs. Not thinking much I clicked on the message and saw he arranged for them to meet for smoothies and a walk with her last night.

My problem is that my fiancé left not long ago telling me he was just going to run an errand and come back, so essentially he lied and did not even mention that he was going to go and see her. Messages earlier in the thread were about him not enjoying the holiday much (no mentions of me whatsoever) and that he wanted to come home already. I also found out he’s previously gone to her apartment to help her move and to the new apartment to help mount a mirror. He even text her he couldn’t sleep at night thinking the mirror will fall down. Some of the other messages from him in my view have flirty undertones (I was hoping you were missing me🤣, ‚I Don’t know who’s more lucky, you getting a promotion or me having you🤣’)

As far as I can see the messages from her side are friendly but not flirty.

I text him the screenshotted message about them meeting up now and asked him why he lied to me about where he was going, he replied with 🤦🏻.
he’s still not home.

Am I overreacting?
what would you do?

OP posts:
AgnesX · 09/11/2025 15:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

And you're a git. Next?

Dozer · 09/11/2025 15:10

Setting aside his current affair, there are additional problems with him.

He doesn’t always care for foreplay’ and you sometimes find sex with him painful. That’s awful: he sounds inconsiderate and poor in bed (at best).

You are financially subsidising him, sounds like you have been for a long time. He’s worked 6 days a week for had pay. He is only now looking to change and you’re subsidising that too.

It doesn’t matter what your parents think. They don’t have the full information about him that you do, and if they did and thought it was a good idea for you to stay with him they’d be unusual parents!

ChavsAreReal · 09/11/2025 15:16

Does he know sex is painful?

For this alone, Id be reconsidering things.

The rest is even worse. You subsidise him to go on holiday and he moans about it while you're there.

Dont worry about what your parents think. They're not the ones who have to live with him for the rest of their lives.

I dont entirely understand his last message to you, but it would be the nail in the coffin for me.

user836367392 · 09/11/2025 15:54

@Middlelifecrisis You are a catch, and he is not. Chuck him back into the sea. Please.

Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 15:55

He came back home eventually but not straight away.

He said this was not a date and the reason he didn’t tell me about it was because he knew how I’d react, which of course I knew was gaslighting at its finest.

He didn’t really have much to say about the flirty messages to her, or about the moaning while we were on holiday that I paid for..
He said ‚I have a lot to say but I don’t want to put a blame on you know’, which I knew was about the sex so I didn’t even address it.

I was strangely calm throughout the whole thing, I think I’m just shellshocked, I didn’t even cry. There was no shouting, no drama.

I asked him why he thought his behavior was acceptable, why would he talk to her more than me, or even his best friend, or what was the outcome he was hoping for for all the calls and messages, and he didn’t really give me the answers, just sat there, and finally said ‚I’m sorry’.

He asked if I wanted him to leave and I told him to think for a minute about what he’s done and how he made me feel.

We agreed that he will sleep in a spare room for now and I’ll give him some time to sort his stuff out and find somewhere to move out.

He’s upstairs now and the house is quiet with just a sound of a 20 year relationship slowly crumbling to dust. My heart is breaking inside and I feel like I’m looking at myself from outside of my body.
I can’t really imagine my life without him in it.

Thank you for all your comments they did really put things into perspective, and yes I do feel like a clown right now.

If anyone has any post-breakup advice for a 40 year old woman I’d really appreciate it.

OP posts:
TidyCyan · 09/11/2025 16:00

I'm sorry. It sounds like you handled it well. My best advice is don't let him stay too long whining be has nowhere to go. He can go to family if he's willing to tell them why!

Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 16:06

TidyCyan · 09/11/2025 16:00

I'm sorry. It sounds like you handled it well. My best advice is don't let him stay too long whining be has nowhere to go. He can go to family if he's willing to tell them why!

He doesn’t have any family in the UK we are both from the EU. We moved here together at the start of our relationship. He has a few friends here, I guess they might let him sofa surf for a bit.

or maybe the girl will, who knows..

OP posts:
Catssuddenlyappear · 09/11/2025 16:09

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You sound nice ✨

crocodilesandwich · 09/11/2025 16:26

Well done @Middlelifecrisisyou’re clearly strong. And if you start to wonder if you’re doing the right thing or he tries to minimise it, just remember that it’s his actions that got you here not yours. You deserve someone who treasures you

NotbloodyGivingupYet · 09/11/2025 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

And you're just nasty

outerspacepotato · 09/11/2025 16:41

He's trying to line up his new gf behind your back and got caught.

Your relationship is one of familiarity and it's coming to an end.

He doesn’t always care for foreplay

Yeah, don't let the door hit that one in the ass on his way out. The things women will settle for. Let new girl have his cheating, bad sex ass.

Luna6 · 09/11/2025 16:49

Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 14:23

Leaving would be easy.
The house is in my name and I pay the full mortgage because I have a well paid job and I’m quite successful. His pay is very poor at the moment however he is working on it by opening his new business. I also contributed the full deposit so his share are just some home improvements we’ve done in the last 5 years. I also pay all of the bills and majority of the shopping which means he’s quite dependent on me for his lifestyle.
I usually also pay for all of the holidays when we go abroad. I guess that doesn’t paint quite a favorable picture.

I do love him, and our lives after 20 years together are quite enmeshed. My parents adore him. I feel scared to consider what my life would look like without him.

I am feeling very betrayed though.
you’re right though, we’ve not been happy for a while. The realization alone is very hard to reconcile.

It doesn't sound like he's bringing much to the table to be honest.

Goldenboxes · 09/11/2025 16:55

OP, I'm so sorry but your relationship is over.
You are being used for housing.
You pay for everything.
He lives off you.
Thats why he has kept quiet.

You need to find some self respect and tell him pack his stuff and leave.
Where he goes is not your concern.

He is trying to increase his income to leave you, he clearly is on the prowl.
You are being used.

neilyoungismyhero · 09/11/2025 17:05

I think also the fact that he doesn't seem to be fighting for your relationship speaks volumes. Sometimes relationships just run their course and it sounds like yours has. You deserve better.

CluelessAboutBiology · 09/11/2025 17:19

OP you were very kind and generous to allow him to stay in the spare room. Just make sure he moves out soon - max two weeks - and he doesn’t try and stay living with you (free of charge) for another 20 years.

stomachamelon · 09/11/2025 17:25

He needs to go asap. Please don’t let someone who has disrespected you so much worm their way back in.
Even if your parents adore them they wouldn’t want this for you.

Diarygirlqueen · 09/11/2025 17:50

It doesn't appear as if he wants to fight for the relationship
He brings little to the table, you deserve alot better than this man.
You sound lovely OP, incredibly strong, I'm so sorry xx

TheLilacStork · 09/11/2025 17:56

So sad for you OP. Stay strong. He’s been caught out and has no real come back for what he’s done I would imagine. You are right about the gaslighting and I would expect he’ll do more of this going forward, especially when he realises what’s at stake. You deserve so much more. Better a 20 year relationship crumbling than staying in a relationship with someone like this. Take care and wishing you all the best for a brighter, happier future

newnamehereonceagain · 09/11/2025 17:57

I’m amazed and hugely impressed by your strength this evening. You will be absolutely fine. X

Lavenduhhh · 09/11/2025 17:59

I'd go fucking mental, that's what I'd do

Didimum · 09/11/2025 18:00

You’re scared of what your life would look like without him? Why are you not scared of what your life will look like with someone that cheats on you? Surely that’s the scarier prospect.

What you’re scared of has already happened, OP. I’m sorry, but it’s time to face up to it and take your next steps. Not bury your head in the sand by clawing at excuses.

sexlesshusbandwoes · 09/11/2025 18:02

In my experience men who talk to women like this are talking to LOTS of women like this

BettyBoo000 · 09/11/2025 18:03

Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 13:15

Apologies in advance for a very long post.

I have been with my fiancée for over 20 years now, we got engaged a long while ago but never married (did not feel the need to, our mutual choice).

Our relationship is generally ok however we are both very busy and I started to notice we are drifting apart for a while. Some of that was due to both of us not prioritizing time together enough. He works Monday to Saturday and I work Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of my finances work he finishes very late in the week (10pm, sometimes later) Sundays were always ‚our’ day we usually spend doing something together. Our sex life isn’t great at the moment, I have a very low libido due to combination of me being on the pill for 30 years and my brain always overthinking everything which does bring my arousal down, and I struggle to get in the mood a lot of the times. He doesn’t always care for foreplay or creating a mood ‚for my head’, which sometimes leads to painful sex for me as I’m not quite aroused enough but he does frequently complain we don’t have sex enough. He has a very healthy sex drive.

He has met a girl a while ago through his work as she was his customer, she is significantly younger thank both of us (late 20s, we are both in early 40s). I guess from there they started getting closer and started chatting frequently on the phone and over messages. Previously and as far as I know they have always met in a group of friends together from my OH work. She is very attractive, fit, obviously very young, very well done (extensions, lashes, lips, facial aesthetics, boobs, typical ‚Instagram’ and OF aesthetic),l, she does quite a lot of influencing work and she frequently posts photos in very risqué outfits, showing a lot of flesh, if you got it you flaunt it and I seriously don’t blame her, that’s how she gets work although it’s not to my taste, I know men do like that kind of very out there visuals.

My fiancé liked all of the photos and posts on her IG. He has a professional account and doesn’t post anything private.

He is thinking of leaving work and opening his new business. I know the girl has been helping him a bit with that, drafting some emails for him to send, stuff like that. I was a little bit hurt tbh that he didn’t ask me because I would gladly help.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t mind a female friendship if it was purely platonic. However what happened today left me feeling very uneasy. I was looking at my OH iPad just reviewing some photos from a holiday that we just came back from when a message popped up from this girl that she was coming downstairs. Not thinking much I clicked on the message and saw he arranged for them to meet for smoothies and a walk with her last night.

My problem is that my fiancé left not long ago telling me he was just going to run an errand and come back, so essentially he lied and did not even mention that he was going to go and see her. Messages earlier in the thread were about him not enjoying the holiday much (no mentions of me whatsoever) and that he wanted to come home already. I also found out he’s previously gone to her apartment to help her move and to the new apartment to help mount a mirror. He even text her he couldn’t sleep at night thinking the mirror will fall down. Some of the other messages from him in my view have flirty undertones (I was hoping you were missing me🤣, ‚I Don’t know who’s more lucky, you getting a promotion or me having you🤣’)

As far as I can see the messages from her side are friendly but not flirty.

I text him the screenshotted message about them meeting up now and asked him why he lied to me about where he was going, he replied with 🤦🏻.
he’s still not home.

Am I overreacting?
what would you do?

Sorry you’re dealing with that. How can that be any good for your self esteem or confidence or trust. To be blunt he is gaslighting you and thinking he can get bit on the side. Maybe it makes him feel younger but that’s not your problem. He clearly doesn’t appreciate what he has and thinks it’s okay. A lie is a lie and it’s crossed the line. So will drive you mad and make you ill. Time to have a chat and think about yourself . This younger girl will use him and he thinks it’s an ego boost. But you matter and it’s disgusting and disrespectful. Have a word and set your boundaries because this is wrong.

thaisweetchill · 09/11/2025 18:08

It would be interesting to know what he is apologising for, is it because there’s more to it than you know? Has he cheated or is it an emotional affair?

My heart goes out to you but staying with this man purely because you’ve been together a while is not a valid reason, you are much more respected than that.

TheSlantedOwl · 09/11/2025 18:11

@Middlelifecrisis Well done OP, be strong. He sounds totally infatuated by her. She’s probably on his mind all the time.

He needs to leave. And you will have a fresh new start on your own terms. All kinds of amazing things can happen.

Swipe left for the next trending thread