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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

This is an emotional affair, right?

244 replies

onemorestep123 · 18/02/2014 15:39

I suspect my partner of 3 years of having an emotional affair with a work colleague. For the past few months they have been sending each other facebook messages on a daily basis...I questioned him about it a couple of weeks back and he accused me of being insecure and jealous. We argued, he said I was trying to control him and I said that it made me feel insecure, but wanted assurances that they were just friends, he stonewalled me, would not say anything. We had a break for a couple of days then he contacted me saying he was sorry, that I was right he was speaking to her too much on fb, it was every day sometimes for hours at a time, and that the last thing he wanted to do was hurt me, he promised to cut down contact. Fast forward two weeks, he is still talking to her on fb (she is still at the top of his contact list) and spent the day with her on Sunday, it was supposed to be a work outing, but they went together and met up with the others for lunch, the rest of the time, about 8 hours they were alone together. When I ask him about this, he again accused me of being insecure and jealous...rolling of the eyes and 'here we go again...' type of thing and 'why are you trying to make me feel bad about spending time with a friend?'.

This morning I accessed his fb account, it is open on my laptop, I have resisted looking until today, knew it wouldn't be anything good and wanted to trust him. Lots of messages with her saying Sunday was one of the best days of her life, spending it with him. They talk about what everyone at work is saying about them spending time together, they think they are not doing anything wrong. She asks him if I gave him a hard time for spending the day with her, he says no more than usual. She then says she dreamt about kissing him and it was lovely, he says he has dreamt about hugging her and it's amazing. They give each other lots of complements 'you are so kind and lovely', 'you are so mysterious'...it's at the edge of what I would consider an emotional affair. Tonight I am going to speak with him, knowing that he will probably continue to deny anything wrong and accuse me of being paranoid. Is there any possibility that I am wrong here?...He has always been a great boyfriend, attentive, kind and caring, we seemed to be really happy, but focussing his attention on another woman is not on. Tips on how to stay strong when I talk to him? I can't see any way forward for us and want to tackle the issue in an assertive and confident manner, not fall to pieces crying & becoming an emotional wreck. He's texted me and messaged me a couple of times today and I have just ignored him. Sorry for long waffle...thank you.

OP posts:
AnyFuckerHQ · 19/02/2014 20:53

I am a Secret Agent, Walt

It's so secret, they don't even know about it < sssh >

waltermittymissus · 19/02/2014 20:54

I know nothing. Nothing! Wink

AnyFuckerHQ · 19/02/2014 20:57

Keep it that way, or I shall have to employ the thumbscrews. Capiche !?

waltermittymissus · 19/02/2014 21:05
WhateverTrevor83 · 19/02/2014 21:25

Now that the OW is sweating she is officially a sweaty bitch! Yay.

cjel · 19/02/2014 22:33

I also know nothing(ssshh)

WhateverTrevor83 · 19/02/2014 22:38

Must dig out that DVD of Mean Girls...

Hope you've still ignored OW OP :-)

WeAreDetective · 20/02/2014 08:26

How are you doing today, onemorestep?

onemorestep123 · 20/02/2014 08:42

John Sunday? Oh you mean one of the best days of your life? No I'm fine with that. See you all on Friday ps. Will DH be there? Be great to catch up. Xx

walter "I'm fine about Sunday. After all, how could I begrudge you one of the best days of your life? Mine was only average so looking forward to a bit of excitement on Friday. Toodles."

Having trouble deciding which one to send Wink

She will be sweating and I get some pleasure from that, she is still a manipulative cow.

He has messaged me lots and lots of stuff - grovelling, nothing happened physically, he was attracted to her, she means nothing etc. Apparently gossip is now rife at their work, according to him, he is getting grief, poor thing. Neither of them know I am not going on Friday.

Today I feel a bit crap, just sad at the whole sorry situation. Have a bad feeling about it all, it is such a mess. Nobody comes out of this unharmed.

OP posts:
JohnFarleysRuskin · 20/02/2014 08:57

I'm sorry you are feeling low- it's horrible.

He has behaved appallingly though. How could he know you were so upset, make all those promises and then go chasing after her again? I'm glad he is getting grief at work. He hasn't respected you at all. :(

WeAreDetective · 20/02/2014 09:21

It's a shit feeling, isn't it? Sad

You are doing great and just keeping looking after yourself.

What are your plans for Friday? have you got something in planned that will keep you from dwelling or are you comfortable with being in? Just want to avoid a scenario where you are alone, upset and punishing yourself with thinking about how Friday is going. (Although, from what you have said, I think they'll have a shit time or chicken out of going altogether).

cactuscantina · 20/02/2014 10:20

you should be feeling bloody happy!!! Just think how bad it would be if you ended up with a dickhead like that!! Someone made me laugh describing them as a pair of bozos! thats all he is a complete fool and you on the other hand are far from one!!

YouStayClassySanDiego · 20/02/2014 10:35

It's ok to feel crap, consider it as having dodged a bullet and entirely normal.

Have a wallow in some misery for a few days then say 'right, fuck this, I've got better things to do than mope over that daft twat'

Everything he has said is bollocks,he's getting grief at work is he Hmm

BOO-BLOODY-HOO!

They've made their bed, let them lie in it.

You're worth so much more than this.

Offred · 20/02/2014 10:37

It's normal to be sad. It is their mess, I would stay as far away from it as possible.

Jan45 · 20/02/2014 10:40

You will be fine, of course it's sad and horrible what has happened but you will so get over this and sooner than you think.

Offred · 20/02/2014 11:01

To the new text I might fantasise about saying "oh no, tomorrow is not good. I'm going to spend the day with your h. I'm hoping it will be one of the best days of my life! I'm not planning on doing anything though, you shouldn't worry!"

Fairenuff · 20/02/2014 11:03

Just remember that if you hadn't walked, he would still be contacting her behind your back, mooning over her and the pair of them commiserating with each other that they couldn't be together more.

Now they can be together, they don't actually want to, they were just enjoying the attention and being selfish and disrespectful. I think it's probably her backing off more, as she is the one with something to lose if her dh finds out. Also, she is the one who keeps messaging you.

Have you continued to ignore all the messages? If you happen to bump into her whilst you are out and about, make sure you have an escape plan so that she doesn't make you listen to her nonsense.

Offred · 20/02/2014 11:06

I think it is very possible, given the password change, that what she is doing is trying to smooth things over (maybe with encouragement from him) so that they can carry on how they were as well as protecting herself from the consequences of what has already happened.

I don't believe they haven't been consoling each other and talking about the 'unfairness' of it all.

MrTALL · 20/02/2014 11:08

yeah thats going nasty soon ..

how did you get on? all safe i hope

Offred · 20/02/2014 11:12

He has messaged me lots and lots of stuff - grovelling, nothing happened physically, he was attracted to her, she means nothing etc. Apparently gossip is now rife at their work, according to him, he is getting grief, poor thing.

At least he has admitted it crossed the line but he's basically trying now to protect himself from the consequences.

If he wanted you back one he would be saying to people at work, yes, it crossed the line, I'm terribly ashamed and sorry about it and understand why one has left me.

If he is lying to people at work he is not taking responsibility for it and I think trying to protect it and her more than his relationship with you which means he is probably trying to engineer the situation to be one where it carries on as it was in some way.

Phalenopsis · 20/02/2014 11:23

He has messaged me lots and lots of stuff - grovelling, nothing happened physically, he was attracted to her, she means nothing etc. Apparently gossip is now rife at their work, according to him, he is getting grief, poor thing

Do you think that blocking him from your phone might be a good idea now?

I know that we're chortling about the OW's messages and so on, but you're obviously upset so going NC might help you feel less sad and help you move on.

Fairenuff · 20/02/2014 11:39

I agree, OP, block his number now. You are too vulnerable at the moment to be reading messages from him. He is not thinking of you, he is trying to get you to agree that there was nothing going on. He is still being selfish and is not ready to take responsibility.

Keep posting for support or if you just want a chat or a rant.

onemorestep123 · 20/02/2014 11:47

Thanks everyone, it has turned into a right old saga.

Offred never thought of that, yes he should be taking full responsibility, if he was truly sorry over what he had done, rather than thinking of OW and his own skin. And yep I can imagine them comforting each other over what has happened, they probably think they are the victims.

WeareDetective will just have a quiet night in on Friday, happy enough to do that. Out on Saturday and Sunday with friends.

Phalenopsis Probably no contact is the right thing to do....perhaps tonight shut it down. Feel slightly less churned up today, just sad.

YouStayClass will allow myself to wallow with some friends at the weekend and then just get on. Having support around really helps.

OP posts:
onemorestep123 · 20/02/2014 11:49

fairenuff thanks, yes that's exactly it, he is trying to get me to agree that nothing went on. What a git.

OP posts:
QueenofallIsee · 20/02/2014 11:55

I have no advice, in your shoes I would be alot less dignified....I just wanted to say that I am rooting for you and am muchos impressed at your dignity, clear thinking and decisive action

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