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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

What a mess

139 replies

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 05:26

THis will be long so many apologies.

To start at the beginning of my story I have been married for 16 years and have known my dh for 28. He was my first proper boyfriend at 15 and when we split up we remained friends throughout our teenage years.

We have had a very up and down marriage. He has had many violent and difficult tantrums including putting a brick through a window on top of me and my 1 year old when I locked him out when we were rowing and throwing things at me. At one point he was also hitting our son too much round the head but stopped that one year ago when I said I would leave if he did it again. He has kicked my puppy down the stairs and hurt its leg etc etc. He has also always supported me in my choice of career even when that has meant a drop in income and has never been jealous or obstructive of friends or going out. We have three fantastic children of 9,10 and 6.

Yet something has been missing for some time and three years ago I started an affair with my business partner who is kind, gentle, loves me dearly and is married with one ds aged 9. He does however have a past as a womaniser and finds that aspect of his character difficult to control.

During the affair I blossomed and became more confident again and as my dh said started to look after myself again and re gain my identity. I suffered incredible guilt and stopped the affair on many occassions.

My dh found out at christmas and chucked me out of the house. We then got back together again and I stopped the affair. My mother was living with us and things were very hard. He spent a lot of time abroad and I missed him desperately. When he first came back from one of his trps though he had changed back to the unpleasant man who was uncaring. My Aunt had died in his absence and he asked me to get rid of my mother as I was not speaking to her at the time. It was all very stressful and at my Aunts funeral my brother remarked that he could have punched dh because of his total lack of support for me and his offish manner.

Since then I re started my affair. It is hard to resist a wonderful person whom I also work with. Then Dh found out again and this time things were worse. I stopped the affair and we went to Venice to try to resolve the issue we also started marriage guidance. We decided to give the marriage 6 months and to try our best to make a go of it.

I have worked very hard to reform and our counsellor has said to both of us that I have done so in the face of hosility and anger (this has included a return to some violence in my dh).

It got so bad that I suggested a trial separation and this started two weeks ago. I have since found out that he started a relationship with our dentist and the results of that have been on the glitterfairy support thread.

THe gist of this is that at on Monday after I found out I called the police because he assualted me in front of our kids and they made him leave. He has moved in with his new girlfriend and is now behaving very badly.

I tried to have the locks changed and he came back and stopped the man from doing it. He works from home sometimes and has insisted on being here every day. He has told the kids about new woman and has said they ahve prepared rooms for them at her house and are looking forward to seeing them there. He has said she is fascinating to them and that he is happier than he has ever been. He has also told them that she makes him laugh and I dont etc etc.

Whilst I think the marriage hs been over for some time or at least getting there I am extremely shocked and hurt at the way he has behaved.

OP posts:
Fio2 · 22/09/2005 07:44

christ glitterfairy, you cant let him work from your home, he must do it at his girlfriends house. the man has assaulted you and your children, no wonder you have no self esteem.

Please change the locks and please dont let him in your house to work again. Tell him to remove his work stuff from your property and let him pick up his post on a regular basis, but dont let him invade your home like this.

You must be so distraught. i am rushing getting the kids ready but will be back later x Just dont blame yourself for goodness sake

Fio2 · 22/09/2005 07:49

and get advice from your solicitor about your rights, now really must go and dry my hair!

basketcase · 22/09/2005 07:50

agree with Fio, glitterfairy. Ok, so the relationship has broken down with issues on both sides, and your shared bond with your children, that does not give him the right to continue walking in and out of your home when he so violent and abusive. You have a right to feel safe in your own home.
I would strongly recommend you get yourself some impartial professional advice immediately and see fi you can get a court order banning him from entering the house/surrendering his keys etc. Once you have your own space back again and some privacy, you will be able to relax and cope with it all a lot better xx

fickle · 22/09/2005 08:42

It really does sound like youare a thousand times better off without this pig of a man, FF. I'm no expert, but I am sure there must be something that can help you to ban him from coming to your home whenever he wants - especially if he assaulted you and the police were involved. You deserve much much better.

As for her being so fascinating and making him laugh - lets see if she is the same sparkling person after taking a few years of his shitty behaviour.

This really has done you a favour. In time you will find someone to make you happy. Is your work partner still interested in you?

puff · 22/09/2005 08:50

Glitter - I'm so sorry, this must be awful for you. I agree with what others have said re seeking legal advice and if necessary a court order. I don't think for one minute he want to come back to the house to work, he wants to come back to taunt you.

Take care

puff xx

fickle · 22/09/2005 08:58

Is it true you can get an hours worth of free advice from a solicitor?????

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:24

Thanks guys he came back this morning because he had "lost" his wallet I am still shaking. I am going to ring my lawyer today. She said if we could work things through by dialogue it was better and for the kids sake I am trying hard to ensure it is ok.

To be honest he is only abusive when pushed (Oh god now I sound like a victim blaming myself). He would never harm the kids.

OP posts:
munz · 22/09/2005 09:27

GF - don't allow this sort of behaviour - this man's still controlling u with his actions, as the other girls said he should be working from his g/f house, find a time when he's def not going to be there - pack his stuff up change the locks and basically shut urself and the chikldren inside - it will be horrid for a while but hopefully then u'll feel safe, if u don't want to do that def talk to a lawyer, think most do an hours free consultation.

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:28

My solicitor did say she could put an injunction on him but to try and get through this week and see her next I have just made an appointment with her because for my own piece of mind I need to sort this out.

OP posts:
beansprout · 22/09/2005 09:30

But he is harming the kids by being abusive in front of them. Sorry, but there are many ways they can be harmed.

I'm so sorry that you are in this situation but I agree with the other comments. You need to be safe in your own home. Him constantly reminding you that he thinks he can just come and go as he pleases is just a power trip. It is also a way of him not letting go of you, no matter how he dresses it up as wallets and working from home etc.

What do you want to happen? What is best for you at the moment? I hope you have lots of support in RL too and really hope that things work out ok for you.

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:30

My business partner still loves and cares for me by the way and has been an absolute tower of strength in this but he is married and he should sort himself out first. Not only that I need some space really to get my head together.

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glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:33

I am so mixed up my pride is hurt and also my faith in him is completely shaken. I want a divorce and complete closure but the kids are still little and are very needy. I am going to sack my nanny and start coming home every day to collect them from school. I work for myself and my business partner will be fine with this.

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unicorn · 22/09/2005 09:39

It sounds like you have really tried to make it work gf, but now is the time to let go.
I know it will be hard, but in the long run it will be best for you all.

I wish you lots of strength, and (when the time is right) hope for a new future.

xx

unicorn · 22/09/2005 09:39

It sounds like you have really tried to make it work gf, but now is the time to let go.
I know it will be hard, but in the long run it will be best for you all.

I wish you lots of strength, and (when the time is right) hope for a new future.

xx

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:39

I have just got a very useful letter from the police asking me to ring them and telling me what my rights are. They have sent me an advice package. I will read it today.

OP posts:
unicorn · 22/09/2005 09:39

whoops!

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 09:45

LOL unicorn but thanks. Have now made an appointment to see victim support counsellor after the solicitor on Monday as well. I only need to get through this weekend. Dh is coming to mend a window I cannot argue with him at the moment and am just saying yes and no. Once I have got advice I will sort this out properly.

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beetroot · 22/09/2005 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 11:54

Yep have now found out he removed me as secretary of his company this year in April just before we went to venice to agree to make our marriage work. NICE! He is a sneaky underhand mailicious man and will get what he deserves. I am so angry now it is ridiculous.

OP posts:
Jackstini · 22/09/2005 12:00

GF - from your last post he must have been fairly sure what he was planning to do. Don't make it easy for him and get him out of the house asap for your sanity and so Kids are not seeing this. When is he due round?

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 12:13

He is picking my daughter up tonight to take to a lesson but meeting me in a town at their ballet school.

I am not going to say anything for the time being and keep it light and friendly until Monday when I have seen my solicitor. He has just rung to invite me out for lunch!

OP posts:
turquoise · 22/09/2005 12:13

If you are scared then don't let your solicitor fob you off with next week, get an injunction now. I'm sorry if this sounds alarmist but with violent, abusive relationships the highest incidence of attacks are just after the split.

You should not have to endure any more of his abuse and your children should not have to witness it.

Glad you've got love and support from your business partner, look after yourself.

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 12:53

LOst it a bit on the phone wiht him just now when he suggested coffee and a nice place for a chat.

Also I had just found out he had removed me as his company secretary and then got me to work for him in that capacity for weeks. Wasnt a good time to place a call. Oh Dear I must get some control back here. I do not want to go down the injunction route yet. THe police have told me that this is the usual time for violence and I am waiting for them to call.

I have always told him everything and am having to constantly remind myself that I must not do so any more.

OP posts:
Jackstini · 22/09/2005 13:09

GF - did he pay you for the company secretary role? If so you would have a contract & he cannot remove you from the role without telling you. Also - you really deserve some renumeration from this post so maybe he owes you some money? Just a note to add to things you mention to your solicitor I think.
Re seeing him - I think you really need to think hand-on-heart if it's a good idea? If you don't want to - don't. You keep saying you just have to get through the weekend. You don't. If you feel it's the wrong thing get back to the solicitor and a locksmith and do what makes you feel safest.

glitterfairy · 22/09/2005 13:28

You are right but it is hard. I have loved him very much and still do despite everything.

THe affair made me unhappy because I didnt like lying but every time I stopped it to try and make it work with him he would do something awful again.

He has guilt tripped me for months in counselling about this and is now being super nice which is his usual pattern. He takes me to despair and then becomes super nice. Last night he did my washing before I got home. Then left to go back to her. It is confusing and manipulative behaviour for me.

Anyway have declined a coffee so that is a start I need to do this one step at a time and keep calm. Even a phone call leaves me shaking. I am at work now with my lovely Bp who is making me coffee and looking after me.

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