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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

Should I leave?

17 replies

sw25 · 18/09/2014 17:41

Been together for 20 years, had our first ds last year, who is now 1 year old. Marriage has been under huge strain for a few years now. I have severe anxiety problems and crippling emetophobia, which made pregnancy hell as I suffered intense nausea and was bed bound. During this time, put on cocktail of drugs, including benzos, which I am still on now. They are causing me to feel depressed, anxious and exhausted. Throw a 1 yr old baby into the mix and you can see why the marriage is struggling.

My husband works in a hough flying job in London, frequently works late, entertains lots of clients and is rarely home before 8pm. Since ds arrived he has gone on benders and stayed overnight in London on 3 occasions without letting me know where the hell he is (no phone calls, nothing). Recently he has been cold towards me and because things have been so hard between us, with constant bickering and me feeling ill because of the drugs, I just felt something was off, like it was the 'perfect storm' for him having an affair.

Last night I happened to see his phone on the floor and looked at his work email, finding a couple of borderline flirty texts and some persistent emails from a 25th old intern, asking do to head out for lunch, and then yesterday suggested a drink after work at the pub (just them). I previously caught my husband sending flirty emails to a girl 3 years ago, so there is some history here.

I went a bit nuts last night and, I know I shouldn't have, but confronted him about it. I asked him about the drink in the pub which he denied until I showed him the text. Apparently they often discuss work problems there, yeah right. I then asked that if he had nothing to hide then he should show me his work laptop and the emails on there. This is when it went totally shady as he refused, told me I was paranoid and that there would be lots of other 'innocent' emails on there that would send me loopy. I did get very angry and this point and demanded to see the laptop. Things got a bit physical. This went on for 2 hours. He got dressed and threatened to go to his mum's to sleep (at 2am!) With the laptop. He was obviously shitting himself about what I'd find. Somehow in this time he managed to get his phone and obvs deleted some of the work emails via his phone. He then let me look at the laptop but was still very shady and sat next to me the entire time watching every email I looked at.

I didn't manage to look at everything as he got angry and insisted we go to bed. I took 3 sleeping pills I was in such a state.

So now he has taken the laptop to work, will obvs delete anything incriminating. Leaving me powerless. I'm broken today. Feel on verge of breakdown. Just doubt know what to do. I am very sad and scared of being a single mum.

OP posts:
exWifebeginsat40 · 18/09/2014 17:47

when you say 'things got a bit physical' what do you mean, exactly?

as for the sleeping pills - you don't need me to tell you that taking 3 at once wasn't a good idea. most doctors won't prescribe benzos for medium or long-term use any more - have you discussed with your GP and explained how awful the meds make you feel?

this sounds like a bad situation all round.

HumblePieMonster · 18/09/2014 17:47

Oh, have some hugs. I know this is mumsnet, but you need them!

Sad and scared is normal in your position.

What do you want? Can you put up with a faithless husband? Or is just you and the baby better?

It took me two years after the end of my marriage to be anything like right, and twenty five years to be fully 'over' it.

But its better to have peace of mind than to be with someone who does what he likes and might be bringing home disease.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 18/09/2014 17:50

You don't have to do anything particularly yet. This isn't a good point to be making too many long-reaching decisions when your emotions are all over the place. However, what you need above all is love and practical support. Do you have a good friend you can confide in? A family member? I'm worried by 'things got a bit physical'... were you assaulted? I'm also worried that you took so many pills.

Please call someone and get them to be with you.

sw25 · 18/09/2014 18:17

We physically struggled over the laptop, he slapped me hard round the face, and I'm ashamed to say I did the same. Then it became a bit of a physical fight on both sides. I hit my head hard on a wall. He threw me down on the stairs, all in a tussle for the laptop. He said ''look at yourself, stop degrading yourself." I know all of this is terribly wrong. I'm worried about the baby being taken away. Where can we get help? Anywhere other than relate?

OP posts:
Cabrinha · 18/09/2014 18:22

Relate?
Relate???!!!

The help you need comes from a solicitor.

The husband you want and deserve is one who is mortified that you are upset and hands over the laptop immediately.

Bloody hell, the disappearing acts are bad enough.

You know you only get a small box on a divorce firm for detailing the unreasonable behaviour.

This man would throw you down stairs before he showed you evidence of his affair.

Keep talking, get practical advice. You need to leave him for your safety and your dignity.

FelicityGubbins · 18/09/2014 18:25

I'm trying to find a nice way to say....to go to such extremes as he did he is very obviously having an affair, and you need to phone the police and report him for assault as he is an utter bastard. Someone might be along in a min to word it more politely than I have.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 18/09/2014 18:25

Relate are not the right agency if you've been violently assaulted. You've been slapped, had your head banged into a wall and then thrown down the stairs. That is a completely disproportionate level of violence - and that's even if you slapped him as well. You need the police to record the offence, and you need to keep this man away from your home and your baby. Do you need medical attention? Also, has anything like this happened before? You mentioned 'constant bickering'

It is terribly wrong. Please call the police.

LEMmingaround · 18/09/2014 18:27

I don't think you should leave. He is the one that needs to leave -now

CogitoErgoSometimes · 18/09/2014 18:27

You also said originally that 'this went on for 2 hours'. Do you mean that this physical assault/fight was going on all that time? This is very, very serious.

tallwivglasses · 18/09/2014 18:30

He really didn't want you to get that laptop did he? Proof enough imo. It doesn't sound like he's giving you any support at the moment, you're pretty much a lone parent already. Please see a solicitor and please realise you do have the strength to go it alone if that's what you decide to do.

Anotherchapter · 18/09/2014 18:36

op please listen to the good advice on here Flowers

fairylightsintheloft · 18/09/2014 18:50

You are not power less because he deleted the "proof" You don't need that kind of proof to leave. You are pretty sure he is /has had an affair and clearly things are very very broken between you. Get out of that situation, with your DD. Do you have family you can go to? would he go to his mum's?

YouAreMyRain · 18/09/2014 18:59

He should leave. Now.

Don't be scared of being a single parent, it is 1000000000's of times better than basically parenting alone in a shit relationship.

He had stuff on the laptop that he didn't want you to see.

He assaulted you.

Why would you want to stay with him?

Fmlgirl · 18/09/2014 22:02

I don't know why you feel you need to get that evidence so badly and read his emails. It is very obvious, he is super secretive, this man is up to no good and you don't need proof.

Lndnmummy · 19/09/2014 07:52

I am so sorry that you are going trough this OP. Can you ask your husband for some space? He seems keen on staying in london anyway? You dont need more proof, his lies, reluctance and physical assult is more than enough. You are unwell and have a young boy to look after. Put the two of you first and take a time out from this excuse of a man. Do you have anyone in RL you can confide in.

Zazzles007 · 19/09/2014 08:05

Should I leave?

Yes, you should leave him, or more correctly, you should kick him out. Your problems are so much larger than a few flirty emails and the possibility of an affair Sad. The fact that you barely mentioned the physical assault speak volumes. Get rid of this 'man' and do something to help yourself believe that you deserve more than the possibility of being cheated on, as well as the far bigger problem of violence from your H.

ravenmum · 19/09/2014 08:37

The "stop degrading yourself" comment is designed to make you think twice about reporting his violence to others, as you feel as if you have been bad too. You made a mistake in slapping him, but at least you realise that it was wrong. Does he regret his behaviour? Does he see the irony in him saying that you have degraded yourself? Or does he believe what he is trying to make you think; that he is a better person than you?

You are worried about the baby being taken away. Was the baby involved in the fight, or do you mean that you can now be accused of being a violent/unstable person? Whatever you do, don't try to hide your own behaviour, as it will make you less credible. And if your actions are hidden, his will be too. That's not a good thing. Admitting your side of the fight/your desperation and showing the remorse that you feel would be a better idea imho, especially in terms of people trusting you with a child.

It's OK for you to feel desperate at the moment; you have been through a bad time and need help. Try not to be ashamed of it, as that will make it harder for you to get out of the situation, and mproving the situation is your main priority now. Speak to your GP, look out for local crisis organisations. Do you have family or friends who could support you?

So many people are single parents. Don't put financial stability before other kinds of stability for your child.

The man is clearly not playing on your team. You don't need any more proof of that; he's provided a whole mountain of proof, not even counting emails.

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