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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

OK, new beginnings, new thread, it WAS right to serve divorce papers!

974 replies

Wisedupwoman · 26/05/2011 19:34

I asked the question - Am I right to serve the divorce papers on my chameleon-like but definitely cheating, lying, cruel and manipulative STBXH. You all said "YES". So I have. The story continues.........

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Wisedupwoman · 23/06/2011 06:46

But of course he's not thinking of her, is he, he's still deluding himself that there's a lovely new future just around the corner where a happy family life awaits him if he just plays his cards right (quote from the day he left "I just don't want to be married - I don't want to be with anyone").

Bastard.

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Alldownhillnow · 23/06/2011 07:50

Yes, he is a total bastard. But he is the one who has to live the rest of his life with that shit weighing him down. You don't. Neither does your DD. You can call the shots now about what sort of relationship he has with you. He's lost the priviledge of choosing.

I don't think you were blinkered or anything like that; you loved him. There is nothing bad about that. You expected him to keep his side of the bargain - he didn't. You couldn't have seen that coming.

The financial whirlwind is about to hit him fair and aquare and I reckon he's going to play hard ball. Whatever is ahead, you have your new job, the love of three wonderful DCs and thats the stuff thats worth hanging on to.

His influence is waning, but its no wonder that he still affects you like this after seeing your DD. See it as part of the process. Next time will be easier.

And remember to be kind to yourself.

Dozer · 23/06/2011 07:50

Sorry about the early morning wake-ups, hope is only temporary.

Yes, it was awful of him to do that to DD, he is not treating her well at all. Sounds like she's a strong young woman who is well able to see through him, and also has you and her brothers and friends to help her.

Don't beat yourself up about what happened in the past, you did your best to make things work in good faith, 'twas not your fault that he is him.

You're making good progress on the financial front, he will have to face up to that side of things soon 'cos of the legal / mediation process and, hopefully, be made to fulfil his responsibilities for that at least.

We all predict that life will not be rosy for him, but will for you.

Hope you have a good day.

Dozer · 23/06/2011 07:52

Finances is the only sphere of influence he now has, so he will be v difficult about it, but at least that's an area where help is available from CSA, SOL etc.

Saffysmum · 23/06/2011 17:16

Hi Wisey - two things that have made me as mad as your early morning posts sounded. The first when STBXH left a link on the family computer, which DD found, and she then kept that to herself for two weeks, before telling me. He hadn't even mentioned it to me - so that I could help her. That was the final straw that broke the camel's back, and motivated me into throwing him out.

The second thing - when 10 days later, he drove other DD round his new place, "to meet the lovely family, in the lovely house with the lovely dog". I honestly could have throttled him.

Like you, I thought HOW DARE HE treat her like this. But they do, because they are so self absorbed and living in their own little fantasy bubble. And I know in my case, the prat does not see the new him reflected in his girls' eyes, he sees the old him reflected there, the adoring daddy who could do no wrong, in his little girls' eyes. Prat honestly thinks that my daughters care about his happiness - so he thought that DD really would be pleased to see him "with the lovely family". That is how out of touch, and up his own backside, and living in la la land he is.

The thing that will ground him, is the solicitor (mine, and hopefully his) and the divorce process. They can no longer lie to themselves about this. They've justified going, by blaming it all on us, they think they can do better. But in the cold light of day, these stupid men will be treated like thousands of others by the legal profession and the courts. And reality will hit them like a ton of bricks - not to mention the huge dent in their wallets.

This is why, I'm sure, yours has avoided mediation, and mine has faffed around "too busy" to get a solicitor. It means that their little bubbles are bursting.

Bring it on.

Stay strong - your daughter, and mine will be fine - they have us!

XX

Wisedupwoman · 23/06/2011 18:42

Evenin', thank you for all your lovely thoughts, they helped me get a good day off the ground.

Well, it is all beginning to kick off here.

Had long phone call with eldest DS, he wanted to punch ptm's lights out and was asking my permission, which off course I don't give but calmed him down. He had spoken to DD and between them today they have pieced together the manipulation and lies ptm has been telling them individually.

DS told me ptm has been driving past the house checking to see if I'm home and then asked DS if I'm back at work. Also he asked how me and DD are getting along together and how I am. He told DS the divorce is going to cost him thousands.

DS and DD talked about the OW's and the lies that ptm has told about that and how he is still sighing and saying he'd better just go back to X at the end of seeing DS.

I asked DS to keep his head and stay strong because clearly ptm is trying to find anything he can to gain a toehold. DS is good with that.

There's trouble brewing at work too, big trouble, which will affect me if it comes to anything - can't say any more but obviously whilst I think he deserves everything coming to him, there's a side to it that means his stupidity and dishonesty could shaft me and DD.

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Wisedupwoman · 23/06/2011 18:44

Saffy if I didn't have you all on the barricades there would be a very different story emerging, and I will never, ever be able to repay this.

Somehow thank you doesn't seem enough, but I do from the bottom of my heart.

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MigratingCoconuts · 23/06/2011 18:48

I do love Kharma Grin

Funny that! The lies he tells are coming back to bite him on the bum!

Does he think you all won't talk??

Wisedupwoman · 23/06/2011 18:52

He thinks that without him to conduct everything the whole family will implode, and he's just beginning to realise the opposite is the case.

And he's still 'off sick' btw. What a pathetic little man.

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Dozer · 23/06/2011 19:03

Am really shocked at ptm driving past your house, that is sinister. Am sorry wisey.

All his behaviour is shocking and pathetic. Sorry to hear about the work thing too, sounds like he will not be hanging onto his employment for long.

Divorce costing him thousands, well, d'uh!

Saffy, admit I did think of your ex when wisey reported ptm talking to dd. The lovely people, house, dog thing is a shocker too. What planet are these people on?!

MinesaGandT · 23/06/2011 20:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Alldownhillnow · 25/06/2011 07:18

Have been on a flying visit to relatives and have caught up with the latest Wisey

No wonder you feel uneasy. The work stuff sounds unssettling to say the least; I hope that any fallout doesn't mean more heartache for you.

As far as PTM's attempts to get back at you through your DCs - thank goodness your eldest is strong and can see through his pathetic behaviour and his own anger is protecting himself from this man. At least your DS has the maturity to see it for what it is - and the maturity to share it with you. That will be hard for him - how much to tell you. I do feel its important that you know what is going on in the background - despite being 'no contact' as all of this is relevant in the long term.

And he's still off sick? well, well , well. I can't help but feel that whatever is ahead of you - you have the best support system in the world. Your DCs sound as though they are creating an invisible shield of armour. You will all come through this. Some of it will continue to be hellish, but he can't take away all these good things you have.

As for PTM - you're right, he's pathetic. He's thrown away the only thing in his life that was good. What a loser.

Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 13:23

At last I have the job offer letter in my hands!!!!!

Now I can relax and believe it.

Also had all mediation forms through. Oh dear (again). PTM will be paying £450 a throw for those meetings. Another idea he "insists" we follow through, that he didn't think through beforehand.

I should imagine watching him unravel could be a new weekend spectator sport, along with Lycra-man's antics.

I've got a new job - official!!!! Grin

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nomedoit · 25/06/2011 13:57

"I am a total dick and I'm sorry for all the hurt and damage I have caused."

Right, my ex never said that and I doubt your will either Wisey

They just carry on in their own sweet way until... they hit something they can't manipulate which is the court system. I think he's beginning to panic, hence the fishing and the driving past. BTW, I don't think the driving past is sinister, it's pretty normal in these situations in my experience to try and get a handle on what the other person is doing. It's his comfort blankie.

You are so ahead in the game. Don't lose your cool, don't confront him, let him spin around.

As someone said to me, give him the rope, let him hang himself...

MigratingCoconuts · 25/06/2011 14:13

well done you!!

Concrete positive steps to a better life for you and your family.

Great news wisey

Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 14:52

nome I know. I had the 'sorrys' in the early days after he went, but I know they weren't meant for me they were about him. Just as all the fishing is about regaining control.

I also know that if he has any regrets about all this, any thoughts about coming back, makes any overtures to that effect, these won't be about realising just how much he 'loves' me because he doesn't love me. It will be about what is comfortable for him.

I am not a woman who he would feel an attraction for now. I am (so people say) an attractive woman, but the qualities I display now are not those that ptm could handle at all. I'm not a dumsel in distress.

In a couple of days it will no longer be the business of either of us to know what the other is doing and with whom. On the mediation assessment forms when I ticked 'no' to are you seeking reconciliation and 'no', to is your absent partner seeking reconciliation, it didn't hurt in the way it would have done a couple of months ago. There's no going back.

This time next week I will have a new surname too.

I am letting go.

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nomedoit · 25/06/2011 15:25

Dumsel in distress!

Does he know about the surname change? That is a "game-changer" as they say here in the US!

loiner45 · 25/06/2011 15:38

Wisey

first of all congratulations :-) but just one thing - didn't you say it was decree nisi next week? I'm afraid you are not a free woman until decree absolute, which is a minimum of 6 weeks and 1 day after nisi! so don't go off marrying the now available Hugh Heffner until the D Absolute comes through! (You have to apply for that BTW - or your solicitor will)

it feels great - and yes they are total pricks when it comes to thinking their children should be happy for them! My ex is off playing happy families with OW and her DD - not a clue about how his own are really feeling :-(

Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 16:19

No he doesn't know about the name-change. What is a game-changer? Once I know I will begin using the term as if knowledgeable about these things!

I know about the absolute loiner. What I mean is that legally it is recognised the marriage is over bar the freedom to re-marry and the financial settlement.

I'm surprised at the speed by which I've reached this conclusion. It all kind of doesn't matter any more. I can't remember the last time I actually cried about him and what he did, I accept it now.

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Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 16:20

Oh and thank you for the congrats Smile

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nomedoit · 25/06/2011 16:32

Game-changer? It's used all the time here. I suppose it is best defined as something that takes events to a different level, altering the direction and momentum of the game. I think that changing your name shows him that you have moved on. I firmly believe that these men listen to nothing, they only respect actions. And that is a decisive action.

Here is the married trenches it is another frustrating weekend. I love my DH and we have a good marriage but my God, it is hard work sometimes. At the weekend he is a nightmare: he's tired/has a headache/wants a nap/hasn't got any energy/sighs at any suggestion of activity. He's one of these workaholic types, my type that is, who acts as if family life is an accident that recently happened to him. I made him take DD to the supermarket this morning and I swear he looked as if I had suggested taking her to the moon. I used to find weekends when I was single very lonely at times but now I find I rather miss them...

The grass is always greener etc...

Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 21:31

So he has stopped paying maintenance.

He must be absolutely livid to have done that. Unless CSA do something quickly I will be in the shit by next month.

How am I supposed to tell DD there is no money to spare whatsoever?

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Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 21:52

I'll contact sol first thing monday btw, I can hear the clarion call before it comes!

Here goes the rant.

Punishing me for going to the CSA is punishing DD too. What he hopes to achieve is control again, pure and simple. He must feel so out of control to have done this, but it really is almost the last option he has to exert influence. The only other thing he can do now to really fuck things up is stop paying the mortgage.

If he's really lost the plot then I think that's next.

Hard ball Alldownhill, that 's what you said. I so hope this is grounds for my sol to say fuck the mediation he's given me all I need to go straight to court now.

The one difference for me is that I'm not panicking. What's the point?

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TotallyUtterlyDesperate · 25/06/2011 22:09

Wisey I hope you get this all sorted out - in fact I'm really sure that you will as you are such an amazing and strong person. I feel a bit guilty for lurking on your thread, but I really admire the way that you write and the incredible journey you are making so I can't stop reading. I'm about to go on holiday and so won't be following for a while - good luck and best wishes!

Wisedupwoman · 25/06/2011 22:15

Aww thanks Totally, I hope by the time you get back it'll be more sorted and have a lovely time Smile.

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