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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

my husband is in love with another woman.

359 replies

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 18:59

Sorry this is a name change and a long one so as not to drip feed. I would like to hear people’s opinions as I am considering leaving my DH as he is in love with someone else, lets call her Sarah. He has known Sarah since they were 4 years old. Their parents and grandparents were all friends.She is who is parents thought he should and would marry and she is utterly adored by his who family. She called his parents mum and dad. My husband claims they were never an item (although he wished they were) and they have only kissed once when they were teenagers. She’s nothing to look at but has done very well in her career. We are now all in our late 50s.
This is a second marriage for both me and DH. I met him and his DW at work. I was friends with his DW1 and she would often speak about Sarah and how much she hated her and how she had banned her husband from ever contacting her. When DH marriage broke up, I was already divorced and we started seeing each other. Unfortunately in the job we do this is utterly banned and within 2 weeks we were discovered and he was sacked on the spot. He also lost his home at the same time as it went with the job. I was protected because he was my boss and so was considered a victim. DH had to move in with me and I supported him while he searched for a new career. I wanted a commitment from him and he proposed in a very theatrical way within 6 months of us getting together and it was wonderful – or so I thought.

It turned out that he had immediately got in contact with Sarah when his marriage failed and was messaging her several times a day. They also met up at her house. She told him not to marry me. At this point I understood why DW1 hated her. We got married anyway. It’s fair to say it’s been a pretty tempestuous union. My career has skyrocketed and I’ve moved up through the ranks. He’s struggled to find work and earns now a fraction of what he did when we worked together. I knew that he still thought about her and once he called out her name during sex.
When his mother died Sarah turned up at the funeral. I was furious that she should insert herself into our family grief. When DH father died a few years later she also came to that funeral and had the cheek to bring her husband and child as well. I told him in no uncertain terms that if he spoke to her there that the marriage would be over. She glared at me the whole time.
After the funeral I said he could never speak to Sarah again and told him to remove all social media links to her. I don’t understand why Sarah’s husband hadn’t stopped them speaking to each other.
It’s been 6 years and I really thought she was out of our lives and then on NYE his phone pinged.I checked his phone and it was a text from Sarah saying HNY. I then realised she is never going to be gone from our lives. Our respective kids are almost grown up. AIBU to think now is the time to call this a day. I’ve never even spoken to this woman and yet I want to kill her. I hate what she has done to my marriage. Do I really want to spend the last part of my life with a man who is in love with someone else?

OP posts:
Dweetfidilove · 10/01/2026 23:14

You married a loser and made Sarah the villain of your story.
The marriage started on rocky ground and has continued on one.

Scohpahni · 10/01/2026 23:14

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 20:53

I'm sorry - I'm not a crazy,. I'm a nice rational person. I do a responsible job. I dont understand why I just cant get this bit of my life sorted and its tearing me apart. Maybe I shouldnt have given the back story but I didnt want to drip feed.

You’re clearly insecure and you also picked apart the woman’s appearance as if she’s nothing. You are the problem and also they grew up together she’s entitled to go to his families funerals. Have you read messages where they claim their undying love for one another or is this exaggerated

Pippielk · 10/01/2026 23:31

Perfectly normal to attend the funerals. A HNY text perfectly normal too. Obviously we don’t know the full back story but if that’s the only two things she has done ‘wrong’ - then you need to loose this hatred and jealousy of her as that will break your marriage more than Sarah

silverwrath · 10/01/2026 23:31
Unimpressed Viola Davis GIF

^^

'ok I admit we did get together when technically he was still married'

neilyoungismyhero · 10/01/2026 23:32

I'm wondering what your husband has to say about all this. Does he still show his love for you? Does he contact her? why has your relationship been tumultuous? How long have you been married?

Dinkydash · 10/01/2026 23:32

BMW6 · 10/01/2026 19:04

Well of course! Sounds like he married you because he needed accommodation and she's always been The One.

Kick him out now, file for divorce. Don't be made a fool of for a moment longer.

They call men like this hobosexual.

covilha · 10/01/2026 23:35

Are you this mistrustful in all your relationships? If so then they are doomed, whether you have reason or not.
You Bannned him from communicating with her, banned him, seriously? He is an ADULT and your husband. Not your child palling up with the local hard lad who is going to encourage him to try alcohol!
if you can’t treat him with any more respect than that, draw the line, cut him loose and grin and bear it if Sarah takes him

ScribblingPixie · 10/01/2026 23:38

Whatever the ins and outs of this, I think it was pretty marvellous of Sarah to come to both funerals of people she loved, despite obvious hostility. Awful of you to try to make her uncomfortable and deny her right to pay her respects.

PGmicstand · 10/01/2026 23:39

Based on the information here I can't see Sarah has actually done anything wrong. She attended the funeral of some people she was close to/knew for almost all her life. And sent a text to a friend.
He sounds much more problematic- getting sacked because of starting a workplace relationship, proposing "theatrically" after 6 months, and moving in so fast.

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 10/01/2026 23:50

I don't think this is Sarah's fault.
You can't blame her for attending the funerals.
You can't blame her because she has known your DH longer than you.
Idk if Sarah was in a relationship when you started a relationship with your DH, but my guess is even if she was she didn't want to be and told your DH not to marry you so they could eventually be in a relationship.
Your DH need you and your home because he lost his job and home because of your relationship.

oldmoaner · 10/01/2026 23:57

All I can say is I messaged men that I've known all my life, I'd never dream of going out with them they're just friends, but if my husband told me I couldn't have them on Facebook etc., or message them I'd tell him in no uncertain terms we may be married but he doesn't tell me who I can speak to. You sound as if because you earn better money than DH that you think you are better than him and either you totally control him or you don't want him. Maybe he'd be better off without you trying to control him.

Christwosheds · 11/01/2026 00:13

ElegantFowl · 10/01/2026 19:16

I can’t see what’s wrong with her attending the funerals, nor sending a HNY text.

Same. She has known his parents since she was a toddler, why wouldn’t she go to the funeral of someone she was very fond of ?

Christwosheds · 11/01/2026 00:15

Tdcp · 10/01/2026 20:52

Seconded.

Thirded

BrokenWingsCantFly · 11/01/2026 00:45

What has Sarah actually done wrong?

If your DH is calling out her name in bed, then it looks like he may have a thing for her, bur it doesn't sound like he could ever have her. She is married with a child.

She attended his parents funeral. Why do you think you got the right to be the gatekeeper to his parents funeral? She had mutual love for his parents, known them for decades longer than you have and is much more likely to have her own grief towards them passing.

She sent a happy new year message. She probably sent this to all her contacts. Even if that isn't the case, it was just a happy new year text.

She warned him off marrying you. Where was your friends and family to not beg the same of you? You had barely started this relationship, he was married to someone else part of that 6 months. So messy. He hadn't even had enough time to get use to not being married to her but he was already being pressured to making a commitment to you. Why did you demand that so soon. You must know it is abnormal to expect that so quickly. You must be very insecure, thinking putting a ring on it will cement this relationship. Cos that worked out so well the 1st time.

You should leave. You will always feel insecure in this relationship. You rushed in head 1st before seeing if this relationship had what it takes to stand the test of time 1st. No doubt he will be engaged to someone else 6 months later, that someone will not be Sarah

Daygloboo · 11/01/2026 00:53

ponytailcapbadge · 10/01/2026 18:59

Sorry this is a name change and a long one so as not to drip feed. I would like to hear people’s opinions as I am considering leaving my DH as he is in love with someone else, lets call her Sarah. He has known Sarah since they were 4 years old. Their parents and grandparents were all friends.She is who is parents thought he should and would marry and she is utterly adored by his who family. She called his parents mum and dad. My husband claims they were never an item (although he wished they were) and they have only kissed once when they were teenagers. She’s nothing to look at but has done very well in her career. We are now all in our late 50s.
This is a second marriage for both me and DH. I met him and his DW at work. I was friends with his DW1 and she would often speak about Sarah and how much she hated her and how she had banned her husband from ever contacting her. When DH marriage broke up, I was already divorced and we started seeing each other. Unfortunately in the job we do this is utterly banned and within 2 weeks we were discovered and he was sacked on the spot. He also lost his home at the same time as it went with the job. I was protected because he was my boss and so was considered a victim. DH had to move in with me and I supported him while he searched for a new career. I wanted a commitment from him and he proposed in a very theatrical way within 6 months of us getting together and it was wonderful – or so I thought.

It turned out that he had immediately got in contact with Sarah when his marriage failed and was messaging her several times a day. They also met up at her house. She told him not to marry me. At this point I understood why DW1 hated her. We got married anyway. It’s fair to say it’s been a pretty tempestuous union. My career has skyrocketed and I’ve moved up through the ranks. He’s struggled to find work and earns now a fraction of what he did when we worked together. I knew that he still thought about her and once he called out her name during sex.
When his mother died Sarah turned up at the funeral. I was furious that she should insert herself into our family grief. When DH father died a few years later she also came to that funeral and had the cheek to bring her husband and child as well. I told him in no uncertain terms that if he spoke to her there that the marriage would be over. She glared at me the whole time.
After the funeral I said he could never speak to Sarah again and told him to remove all social media links to her. I don’t understand why Sarah’s husband hadn’t stopped them speaking to each other.
It’s been 6 years and I really thought she was out of our lives and then on NYE his phone pinged.I checked his phone and it was a text from Sarah saying HNY. I then realised she is never going to be gone from our lives. Our respective kids are almost grown up. AIBU to think now is the time to call this a day. I’ve never even spoken to this woman and yet I want to kill her. I hate what she has done to my marriage. Do I really want to spend the last part of my life with a man who is in love with someone else?

I find it strange he has feelings for someone he's known since he was 4. I knew a boy five years older than me who was son of my parents best friends. We knew each other since i was born and he was 5. I devrloped a crush on him when i was 12 and he was 17. Then i think he develooed a bit of a crush ehen i got to sbout 28 and he was 23. But by then i didnt have a crush any more. We have seen each orher on and off at family gatherings for decades now but the.thought of anything romantic or sexual ever happening between us actually makes me feel physically sick..So i find it almost impossible to believe that your DH feels that way about Sarah. Are you absolutely sure it's not more of a sort of bond as if she was a dister or something ?

Daygloboo · 11/01/2026 00:54

Daygloboo · 11/01/2026 00:53

I find it strange he has feelings for someone he's known since he was 4. I knew a boy five years older than me who was son of my parents best friends. We knew each other since i was born and he was 5. I devrloped a crush on him when i was 12 and he was 17. Then i think he develooed a bit of a crush ehen i got to sbout 28 and he was 23. But by then i didnt have a crush any more. We have seen each orher on and off at family gatherings for decades now but the.thought of anything romantic or sexual ever happening between us actually makes me feel physically sick..So i find it almost impossible to believe that your DH feels that way about Sarah. Are you absolutely sure it's not more of a sort of bond as if she was a dister or something ?

18 not 28

TheHiddenVoice · 11/01/2026 01:04

Wellshellsbells · 10/01/2026 22:27

I think if Sarah wanted him,she could have him.She probably feels pity for him, he blew up his marriage and career and then his parents died and that HNY text doesn’t sound very personal, probably sent it to loads of people in her phone.You’re scared because you know what he’s capable of. I bet his first wife didn’t realise it wasn’t Sarah she should be worried about, but her friend.

Agree, Sarah probably became the unknowing decoy.

The ex wife probably knows the score now.

What goes around comes around.

Allisnotlost1 · 11/01/2026 01:11

FortnumsWeddingBreakfastTeaPlease · 10/01/2026 20:58

@ponytailcapbadge

I think you've had some really harsh responses. His first wife wasn't imagining it, and neither are you. Women like Sarah are sly pieces of work.

I worked with one. Obsessed with this guy she had been friends with since childhood, but he never wanted more than friendship from her. Saying how they were "best friends." Announcing her own relevance and importance, because she was going to make sure she was a woman in his life, because she couldn't accept she wasn't the woman in his life. She wasn't letting him go and she hated anyone he was with. If it wasn't for her one sided initiating, with a good dose of "omg, we've been friends since forever, you need to relax" to the guys wife, the guy would have lost contact with her years ago.

The question here, is what responses is your DH giving? Why isn't he closing it down?

I don’t think Sarah’s the one with the obsession here. A HNY text and attending the funerals of people she’s known all her life aren’t really obsessive behaviours. The DH called out Sarah’s name during sex (such a weird thing to do anyway, honestly I’d be so turned off by someone saying my name, so forced and fake). OP obviously quite ok with that as she’s still in the marriage.

WilfredsPies · 11/01/2026 01:16

You got together with your friend’s ex husband? What did she think about that? And you did so in the knowledge that he’d been in love with someone else throughout their marriage. Did you think you were different? That you had enough about you that he’d forget about Sarah and just be madly in love with you? And you married him in the knowledge that he had no income and nowhere else to go? You’ve made a royal fuck up here, haven’t you? What a waste of all that time when you could have been happy with someone who chose you.

And if you have to keep your marriage going by banning your spouse from contacting people, it’s already dead in the water. There is no way on earth you two are going to be happily growing old together.

Franjipanl8r · 11/01/2026 01:38

Sarah’s the only sane person in all of this. You and your DH sound absolutely bonkers and not in a fun eccentric way.

InterestedDad37 · 11/01/2026 01:47

He's probably in love with her, and yes, you should probably split up, but NEVER try to police anyone's friendships! That's a real no-no in my book, and for that, YABVU!

cauliflowercheeseplease · 11/01/2026 01:48

ElegantFowl · 10/01/2026 19:16

I can’t see what’s wrong with her attending the funerals, nor sending a HNY text.

He called out her name during sex with his wife???

Morecoombe · 11/01/2026 02:08

Is it possible she’s more like a sister to him ? A relative not someone he’s attracted to? She’s married too. They didn’t want to be together or they would have been .

ExpectZeroContext · 11/01/2026 02:17

It's all your fault. You should have realised that marrying this man was a foolish Idea.
I was appalled when I read you berated the man when he was mourning the death of his mother. What a pathetic display of abhorrent behaviour.

Relaxd · 11/01/2026 02:19

Your husband and his unrequited love is the main issue here. Whether she is around or not, that likely remains the issue. There is no evidence she is in love with him, she has had plenty of opportunity if she was. You are not being reasonable in your view and treatment of Sarah here, going to a funeral or sending a HNY text is quite normal. You’re getting wound up as you sense she has always been his first choice. She’s not after him just because she suggested he shouldn’t marry you. If he doesn’t love you or was rushing things, then that was reasonable advice. It was you after all not him that was pushing to rush a proposal. Don’t you wish now that you’d both waited? Decide if you can cope with what is at best a crush and can stop being paranoid over a glance and can stop trying to control others. If you can’t then this seems pointless to continue.