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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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

please please help

1000 replies

LouP19 · 01/08/2012 20:12

I have come home and my husband has moved out all of his belongings. Everything, even the garage is clear. He dropped me off after work and said he had to go and play cricket and needed some time on his own. I was distraught and said we needed to talk. Things haven't been right for a few weeks, he has denied somebody else.

All of his belongings are gone. I am shaking. No one knows where he has gone. Married 5 years, no kids. Please please help.

OP posts:
cuillereasoupe · 04/08/2012 11:05

The reference to a PhD student makes me think your husband might be an academic, OP. If so, taken in conjunction with the "series of mistakes" - if it comes out that he's been boffing his students his job may be on the line. (My ex was an academic who did this, and I know of other instances).

AgathaFusty · 04/08/2012 11:15

There is no point to counselling unless you are planning to stay with him, and even in that case, it may be too soon for it.

If you are not planning on staying with him - well, I can't see what counselling could possibly achieve for you, it would just give him a platform to spout futher bullshit from.

Has he taken all his paperwork with him? Stuff like pension info, salary slips, and investments? I'm guessing he has, since he did such a thorough job, which will leave you at a disadvantage maybe, when you are trying to secure dividing things up. But maybe you know passwords to online accounts etc? If so, can you get any information you might need in the future, before he thinks to change his passwords?

FussArse · 04/08/2012 11:27

Personally, I would tell your hairdresser. She'll understand if you cry. Also, I'd give her all the facts re chutney etc and permission to pass it on. That would be the quickest way to make sure everyone knew round our way.

Also, if he is boffing his students, the powers that be definitely need to know for the protection of vulnerable young women. He sounds mental and perfectly capable of being manipulative there.

MadBusLady · 04/08/2012 11:29

By the way (sorry, I am really rambling this morning!) I don't think you even need to text him with "I don't want counselling". I totally see your point that it's more ammunition if you don't - but then anything would be ammunition, wouldn't it. What's been said up to now has been said and you can't do any more about it. I think it's a case of when in quicksand, don't struggle.

wheredidiputit · 04/08/2012 11:36

Ignore that crap about your 'faults' he will always blame you so he doesn't have to see himself as the shit he is.

Can I ask what does he expect you to do with receipt for you holiday. Does expect you to go with him as it's been paid for.

grumpykat · 04/08/2012 11:36

I've just read your thread from beginning to end. I think I'm in shock. CHUTNEY? CUTLERY? CRICKET? What an epic, ep,ic epic cunt.
I cannot believe what an insensitive, arrogant, pathetic man-child he is.

Your strength and determination shines through in your posts Lou, hang on in there- life will be so so so much better without this shitball in it.

Jellykat · 04/08/2012 12:03

Brilliant advice by muckingfuddled this morning.

Hope your haircut starts the wheels in motion towards feeling good about yourself, and you really should do, you've got the despicable words and actions of 1 arsewipe, versus hundreds of MNers admiring you, now that's not something we do lightly!..

Just a thought, things like the text to your mum admitting a series of mistakes etc - wonder if that could be useful for your solicitor, should the twunt attempt to come across as whiter then white.. maybe make sure she doesn't delete it?

UnlikelyAmazonian · 04/08/2012 12:10

Have read the whole thread. Brought back some pretty hideous memories for me. My exH did the same. Only he went to Thailand leaving me with a six month old baby.

muckingfuddled's post is totally spot on. It's really really hard but do the things she has suggested.

Do not engage at. all.

Don't bother texting him back re counselling session. Don't get in touch with him or respond to anything at all.

Maintain total radio silence.

Change your locks. Change your will. Secure everything and anything you can financially - any savings in joint names transfer into a lone account for now. Ring local council and get single-occupant discount on council tax.

File for divorce immediately - the papers will need to be served on him. He will be told to pay all costs I have no doubt, when the solicitor is due to be paid on receipt of the nisi. File on grounds of unreasonable behaviour and adultery. You don't have to name the OW.

Keep your friends and family close and really reach out for support everywhere you can.

You will think and think and think and look back and wonder and piece events and behaviours together for weeks and weeks to come. This is normal and in fact helpful in some ways, as your brain is processing events and helping you realise, eventually, that none of this is your fault and that it would always have happened eventually happened because he cannot sustain a proper relationship. With anybody !

I hear and read so many many alarm bells and similarities in what you write about your husband - my husband disappeared for days or hours at a time in the years leading up to him finally disappearing. He had absolutely NO empathy. It was all about him. Everything. Right down to the type of car he drove and socks he wore. Idiot.

When I finally tracked him down and got an email address for him in Thailand, I was very factual and straight-forward. I asked him to please begin paying some financial support for our son. He emailed me back saying 'only once I know you have given my cookery books, my etchings and my bike, to my brother who will come and collect them'. WTAF? These men are children in adult bodies.

His cookery books were your husbands chutneys

It's hilarious now. It was bloody unspeakable, unbearable and mind-fucking at the time.

My h was also, on several occasions, as shitty as yours re being out somewhere, saying something hideous then expecting you to enjoy the day. It's a total mind-bender. We were on holiday together, in France, I was heavily pregnant. We were in a beautiful village on market day. I badly needed a wee and asked him to go into a cafe and check if the loo was a sit-down one or a squatty (no way could I squat). he was icy cold and said 'find your own fucking place to piss in'. He may as well have smacked me in the face. Then he proceeded to carry on as though nothing had happened.

Last thing I want to say, and I know there will be groans on this thread, but have you read anything about Narcissistic Personality Disorder? These creatures do a thing called 'Idealise, Devalue, Discard'. And when they discard, they just drop their partner like a stone, often stealing thieving and ransacking anything they can on their way out. They have no real emotions - they simply copy societal norms, hence the counselling sessions offer for example - he absolutely does not mean a word of it, he's just saying it as he knows how to pretend to appear caring or guilty.

I read up a LOT on this personality disorder (all these disorders are on a spectrum btw so he'll have a couple of other pathologies in the mix too). It helped me immensely. They are often very respectable people, charming, clever, knowledgeable and good at cooking. Hmm

They are also shallow, cunning, obsessed with sex (quite often) and consummate liars and cheaters. They like to be married and have families because that makes their outer facade all the more convincing and 'normal' but it's just a cover for their vacuous inner selves, and their vicious streaks.

Your H has discarded you (I know that is very hard and painful and mind-fucking to read). He won't understand your pain because these Narcissists do not do pain. They feel the sum of fuck-all in the way normal loving kind people feel. They fall 'in love' quickly and at this stage are doing the idealising bit...but they starts devaluing that person when they realise she has normal human flaws or is no longer useful (sex life dwindles say, or she stops working and earning) and so they move onto their next victim, before humiliating and crucifying her in the end too.

They usually end up very sad, lonely, friendless old men.

Your H has already moved out and onto his next victim.

This is a Good Thing as you can now start to recover, and re-build your life without the daily anxieties of living with these fuck-ups.

So. Wave him goodbye to him metaphorically from the step of your own home. Shut the door, be with your cats (oh and narcs can't stand animals btw - they only pretend to like animals as they know this makes them appear nice and normal) Start the divorce going, communicate with him only through the solicitor and make sure he pays you off / that you get a decent financial package for yourself.

Sorry, that's very long. But I have walked in your shoes. btw four years on, I am happy as larry. My son is four and a we enjoy our lives, I am no longer the anxious shadow I was when we were married and I am no longer the sobbing wreck I was when he fucked off. I had my son (naturally) when I was 43 too - so plenty of time for you yet my lovely, to have children.

DO NOT ENGAGE. He's not interested anyway apart from the fact that any reaction at all from you will give him what is called Narcissistic Supply. Read up on it. I bet you see your car-crash of a husband there on the pages. (())

garlicnuts · 04/08/2012 12:15

I know what you mean about not feeling 'strong', Lou, but you are in ways that you perhaps don't even see. Your integrity and honesty shine out in all of this. Sounds as if you got them from your mum, who deserves a house full of Thanks as do you!

Don't go to the counselling. Don't bother telling him; just stop contact now. Do tell everybody and cry as much as you like. Since your fuckhead ex is all about games, it's easy to be drawn into this and try scoring points. YOU ARE NOT the kind of person who uses other people's feelings as chess pieces, are you? So don't start acting like one. Keep things straight and true on your side.

Chubfuddler wrote: Your days of accounting to him are over. Take this on board, my love. For as long as you centre your thoughts around him: what he was up to; what he means; how to put one over on him; you're where he wants you - revolving round his drama, himself at centre stage. You need and deserve to be the focus of your own thoughts.

Your mind will put it all together - in dribs and drabs - now you've got the key information. All those missed cues and wtf moments will rise unbidden, with answers, as your unconscious solves puzzles in the background. You can give it the optimum circumstances by resolving your realities, here and now, in your own best interest.

Currently you're in shock and this is like being ill, so you need emotional support and to take care of your health. Your ego has taken a massive blow, so get that hairdo and spend a little time on prettiness and loveliness to remind you what's great about being Lou. You have a nice laugh Grin so watch funny films with friends - laughter is good for your health! There are choices to be made about finances, home and work: you haven't got to do those yet, but it would be prudent to make sure you lock down whatever can be secured and get information together. No need to decide what to do about your house just yet - but how about allowing your mum to help you choose some new bedding and a few bits that will change the look of your breakfast table, for example, and to rearrange the sofas?

Who do you care most about now? You! And your cats :) Love yourself; the rest will follow.

HazleNutt · 04/08/2012 12:17

Wow I have read some stories about massive twats on MN, but this one takes the chutney biscuit.
Well, glad he did you the favour of moving out and taking all the stuff before you threw him out, at least that's done. And indeed lucky as well he did not discover all your "faults and shortcomings" after you got pregnant or were home recovering from birth with a tiny baby to look after. Unbelievable.

"I need to know how many people you've told"
Well, I would make sure I told EVERYBODY. asap.

Thanks
garlicnuts · 04/08/2012 12:18

Good to hear from you, UA, this made me think so much of you!

chocoraisin · 04/08/2012 12:31

hello OP, I've been following your thread with great sadness for you, but also admiring your courage. I went through something pretty appalling myself (H left for OW when I was 15weeks pg, leaving me homeless, jobless and shocked beyond belief with our 17mo son). I know now - just 7mo down the line - that nothing I can do, or could do, would have changed the outcome. My ex, like yours, cannot comprehend his actions were his choice.

I don't want to go on, but re: counselling. I did what you are proposing to do, go along for one session to 'give it to him both barrels', and refused to discuss things before or after that session. I can't honestly say it did me any favours to talk to him. He was basically bewildered that anyone felt angry or hurt by his actions. It was a chance for him to assassinate our marriage. Even though the whole thing left both me and our counsellor (a professional relationship counsellor no less!) in tears over his treatment of me, this didn't register to him. When we left he tried to hug me and asked if I was alright. I was sobbing in the street, nearly 4 months pregnant. He went off for lunch with his OW right after. He had no concept of my pain, and even less concept of it being his responsibility.

After that one session, he asked me to go on a weekly basis because he thought it would 'help me to co-parent with him' if I had somewhere to 'talk about my issues'. According to him, he had no issues, I was a disappointing wife, and his role in counselling was to 'help me' to get to a place where I could understand he hadn't done anything wrong.

I'm only telling you this to make the point that no matter how strong you think you will be, or how in the right you are, or what excellent points you will make (I made many!) the idea that he might learn something or apologise, or understand you, by going along with counselling, is probably just an unrealistic hope on your part. One I shared, completely understand, and empathise with. However, the fact that you and I can empathise, and hope for understanding, doesn't mean these men can. He has convinced himself that his actions were inevitable and made a fucking list of your faults. Don't give him the opportunity to read it to you again. I wish I hadn't.

Sending love and solidarity, you will get through this xx

Quicksie · 04/08/2012 12:34

Hi Lou, just wanted to let you know, I am in notts so just over the border.... I am same age as you, no kids yet, available for coffee, going out, cake, whatever you fancy if you want some non judgemental company.
I think you are amazing and can't believe how well you have tackled this.... Can't imagine what state I would be in!

LouP19 · 04/08/2012 12:36

Aarrggh, I just lost message I was typing.

Devastated this morning, heaps and heaps of tears. Told the neighbours, they again said I was amazing, so I came home and just collaspsed again. Tried to cuddle one of my cats, she won't come out from under her chair. She knows,.... We rehomed them last year, I am NOT losing them.

Rang mortgage provider, everything up to date, joint mortgage, they're going to send me a full statement asap, with all account numbers etc. He has taken all the paperwork to do with the house.

And a text this morning: 'Thank you for having the courage to meet me, I know it must have been very difficult for you. It was also tough for me to see you and own up to what I did. I never ever wanted, or still want, to hurt you in any way, and for doing this I am truly sorry. I was very surprised by your calmness and by what you said. Over the last few months some of the things you have said have lead me to believe that you no longer love me, but after what you said I am not sure that this is the true. Although I am still scared that the arguments could return, I do understand that it is important to deal with our problems and hopefully by talking this will help us realise how to prevent these from occurring in the future. I do want you to be happy so please don't ever say that I don't. I hope you have a good day and try to relax a little. Love to all xxx'

I cannot WAIT to hear how you all tear into that. I had to stop myself from inserting comments as I was typing.

Will be back later, going to my brothers, then hairdressers. Then coming back here tonight with my Mum.

OP posts:
teaandthorazine · 04/08/2012 12:46

Lou, another one here who rarely posts on these threads. But...

I just wanted to say, with every post from you, with every text from him, the message is coming through loud and clear that you have dodged a massive bullet here, my love. I know it doesn't feel that way right now. I know this EPIC TWAT is messing with your head and your heart and it must feel utterly appalling right now. I know your world has been turned upside down. But, believe me, one day you will look back on this and breathe a huge sigh of relief that you're no longer tied to this terrible, terrible arsehole.

This has nothing to do with you. This is all about him, his frailities, his self-centredness, his complete failure as a human being. It is not your fault. You've had a lucky escape, I know it's hard to see that now, but my god, you have. Life will get a lot better, I promise.

MadBusLady · 04/08/2012 12:47

I was very surprised by your calmness and by what you said.

SHE SCORES! How well did you do yesterday?? That must be the first honest thing he's said in the whole business. But we're soon back on-script:

Over the last few months some of the things you have said have lead me to believe that you no longer love me

"It's all your fault I had an affair and possibly others before and generally treated you like shit."

but after what you said I am not sure that this is the true blah blah problems blah blah talking

"There might be a chance, dangly dangly!"

I do want you to be happy so please don't ever say that I don't.

"Don't have opinions about any of this, please, this is MY drama."


Gotta run, but I'm looking forward to seeing other mash-ups too. It would be so so easy for you to believe some of this because you can't turn your love off like a switch (unlike some) and I'm sure part of you (a lot of you actually) wants to believe it at this stage. But you're not believing it. Wow! This is what people mean by you being strong. x

Quicksie · 04/08/2012 12:48

What?! He is the most manipulative bastard.... I bet everyone it's feeling his pain eh, what a fucker! He wants to help you not to make mistakes in the future...my god. I wish the ow was getting copies of these messages, his chutney wouldn't be safe!

teaandthorazine · 04/08/2012 12:50

Oh, and his most recent text? Self-serving, me me me me me, utter bullshit. It's sooooo tough for him, poor poppet, isn't it? And as for the 'if we'd talked we'd not be in this situation now' crap - words fail me.

Don't dignify it with a reply. Write out your replies on here if you like - get them out of your system because I'm sure you must be dying to - but don't send him anything. Don't engage. I know you can see through him now. Let your solicitor do the talking.

Badvoc · 04/08/2012 12:53

Oh my good lord.
That is truly out of the cheating lying bastards handbook, isn't it?
You are doing so well and being so string and IT IS FREAKING HIM OUT! Keep it up!!
I am afraid I sighed inwardly in yr original post when you said there was no one else...of course there is/was.
Am thinking of you x

springydaffs · 04/08/2012 12:55

just off the top of my head: he has stuck a stake through your heart and he expects you to not make a sound and has congratulated you for being 'calm' (just as he chided you for 'making a fuss' the day he told you he didn't want children.) He is holding it over your head that he will withdraw if you return to 'arguing'. Basically, he's training you. Like a dog.

listen to chocoraisin . she's been there and talks great sense.

these 'men', these excuses for human beings, seem to transfer their affections overnight. They lock on to someone else, transfer 'affections' and the history built up with their last victim partner.

they're not human! Yes Lou, do run along and 'relax a little'

personally, I would've run a literal stake through his heart in the pub so maybe that's the main reason I don't engage with psycho bastards

chipmonkey · 04/08/2012 12:55

When I told dh about the list, he said you should have thrown your drink over him!

Leverette · 04/08/2012 12:58

This reply has been deleted

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

skyebluesapphire · 04/08/2012 12:58

Why on earth is he still texting you as if you've had a minor row or something? He took all his stuff ffs! He is making it all about him and what you can do to fix it, same as my H did to me.

My H came back for 6 weeks and claimed afterwards that we had tried everything to fix it. But unknown to me all during that time he was texting and emailing OW all day every day, so he was thinking about her all the time not about me or his DD.

You are doing so well at the moment,It will all hit you like a tonne of bricks but you are amazingly strong. People keep saying it to me but it doesn't feel like it at times

LouP19 · 04/08/2012 12:58

I know, I know. When he sends me them I stop crying for a bit actually, because it kind of rams the message home. Shouldn't he be begging for forgiveness. Bastard.

Just been handed a post it from the chap next door (I spoke to his wife) and he's written his mobile on it and said 'ANYTIME'. That made me cry as well, so he quickly went away!

Devastated this morning when I was recalling all the bullying, sniping little comments he's made at me over the last few weeks. Always picking at me, picking food off me, cat hair, telling me my teeth were stained (!!!!), telling me my dressing gown was dirty. Ok, may be these comments are the realities of marriage, but I got NO compliments about ANYTHING, and haven't had a for a while. All about systematically dragging me down. And of course I believed it - 2 weeks ago he said my problem was I needed more confidence.

Oh, and another spanner. He had to start using Viagra with me a few months ago. Always reassured me it was nothing to do with me. Jesus, it's going to keep coming and coming.

OP posts:
fraggle500 · 04/08/2012 12:58

Hi,

Just had to post, have nothing practical to say....but just can't stop thinking about you. As many other posters have commented, not many posts on these boards shock me, however yours has left me sooooooooooooo Angry and [shocked] !!! and I've lived with 2 aclhoalics and one narcissus

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