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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:
Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 18:30

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.

Thank you, I think you nailed it.

I need to come to terms that the man I loved is gone, and the man in my house doesn’t deserve to be here.

I guess my self esteem was always pretty low, and now it feels at a rock bottom.
in theory I know I am objectively good looking, take care of myself, and I do look young for my age, I have a good job, a nice house and a comfortable life I worked very hard for but of course when I compare myself with the Instagram Barbie it’s very hard to feel inadequate.

I kept blaming myself for not making enough effort with sex but the truth is, I deserve better. My bar is in hell and I should probably consider therapy to figure out why.

OP posts:
Middlelifecrisis · 09/11/2025 18:46

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.

It’s definitely emotional affair, at least on his side.

Having read their entire conversation it’s like he’s been putting feelers out to see if she would flirt back or show interest, she has been largely friendly but not flirty.

Definitely nothing physical yet but I think it’s because she wasn’t totally and clearly forthcoming.
having thought about it, I think he would definitely go for the physical affair if she gave him a sign.

She definitely knows he’s engaged though so I can’t say I have that much sympathy for her. If a man asked me out for a lunch date and I knew he was being flirty with me while still in relationship I’d think he’s a total loser but maybe that’s an ego boost for her as well. My (now ex) fiancée is extremely good looking and very fit.

OP posts:
Missj25 · 10/11/2025 09:38

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?

You’re not over reacting at all OP ..Your fiancé is a silly man , head turned by a young one that there will no future with 🤷🏻‍♀️.
Even if there was , it would be short term until she met someone in around her own age that she will be more compatible with .
Also now you see you can’t trust him ..
He’s not interested in sexually satisfying you ..
I know you have been together a long time but he is not the man for you x

MethusalahsMum · 10/11/2025 09:44

'Mount a mirror'

That's a new one & so Freudian.

After 20 years, it's time your tolerance of him expires.

IvePiercedMyFootOnASpike · 10/11/2025 10:00

sexlesshusbandwoes · 09/11/2025 18:02

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

I've been wondering what he does for six long days a week, if he's not earning much money.

caringcarer · 10/11/2025 10:37

Thank goodness you are not married. Pay him for anything he did on home improvements and change the locks. Bag up his stuff for him and put the trash out. He uses you for free accommodation and throws you the occasional bit of rushed sex with no pleasure for you. He sneaks out to meet another woman he's clearly smitten with and doesn't care if he hurts you. Wake up OP, where is your outrage? He has clearly worn down your sense of self worth over time. Take charge of your life and boot the want to be cheat out. You deserve a partner who will love and cherish you and that means taking the time to turn you on before penetration. He could use some gel to make things comfortable for you. Let the 20 year old put him up and fund his holidays.

caringcarer · 10/11/2025 10:42

And to add if your parents knew the full extend of what he's done and how he's treated you they would no longer adore him. They'd be very angry with him.

thepariscrimefiles · 10/11/2025 11:17

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.

Don't keep funding and supporting him when he is being so disloyal to you. He's living in your house with you paying for everything and he spends his time lying to you and pursuing his much younger work colleague.

It's a good thing that you aren't married as he has no claim on your home or other assets. I would change the locks, pack his bags and leave them on the doorstep. You can do much better.

ETA Well done for talking him calmly and ending the relationship. I wish you lots of luck for the future. He has made a big mistake and I'm sure he will soon bitterly regret it as you sound like a great partner. Him, not so much.

curious79 · 10/11/2025 11:31

You need him paying some bills otherwise he can claim some money off you once you fully split up - even though you’re not actually married

Currently under the law he’s a dependent cohabitee

pinkyredrose · 10/11/2025 11:39

curious79 · 10/11/2025 11:31

You need him paying some bills otherwise he can claim some money off you once you fully split up - even though you’re not actually married

Currently under the law he’s a dependent cohabitee

Are you sure about that?

NotbloodyGivingupYet · 11/11/2025 08:36

curious79 · 10/11/2025 11:31

You need him paying some bills otherwise he can claim some money off you once you fully split up - even though you’re not actually married

Currently under the law he’s a dependent cohabitee

No he's not, he's a CF grownass man with his own income.

Icygreenraven · 11/11/2025 15:08

Sorry to hear this. It's going to change things for you and hopefully that will be positive in the long run.

He sounds very sneaky. Im glad youre in a good financial position because that will make things easier.

Take your time and be honest with yourself about what you deserve vs what youre getting. It sounds like you have drifted but thats no reason for him to lie and be sneaky 😘

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