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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

Affair - Not sure how to cope

951 replies

OpheliaRose · 19/04/2015 19:47

I think my DH has cheated / had an affair with a girl from work.

They became facebook friends a few months ago and I thought nothing of it as I know they've worked together for over four years. He moved jobs over a year and half ago which means he now sits in the same office space as this girl. His previous job meant they had daily email and phone contact but DH was in a different office area. His new job puts him in a position which means they no longer need to have daily contact but sit pretty close to each other and occasionally cross paths on projects.

I went to log into facebook on the home PC and realised DH profile was logged on, there was a message from this girl, it was work related but they used a lot of smiles faces / winks, jokes about owing each other and the whole tone is overly flirty. Something didn't sit quite right so I decided to read their past messages and they just didn't flow right and it was suddenly obvious that chunks of conversation had been deleted.

My DH is out at the moment but I'm not sure what to do now. I want to believe its all just innocent but I have thins sick feeling that there is more to it than that. Should I just ask him when he gets in to explain the messages and why it looks like some are missing?

I have to admit i looked at his history on the PC and his Search History on FB he has definitely looked at her profile very recently on FB and the browser history shows he's been looking at her photos almost everyday for the last month or so.

OP posts:
anotherbusybee · 22/04/2015 15:58

Really well done on telling your brother, OP. And I truly hope he goes out to the pub tonight and spends the whole time eyeballing your H. Hopefully making him feel as uncomfortable as he bloody well should feel.

I am just raging for you.

Funny how she was trying it with your brother too. Seems your H has very good reason to feel jealous when it comes to her, seems she flirts with anything that has a pulse

And honestly, truthfully, who on Earth really gives a rats arse what his work friends think of the situation. Even if they dont like what is going on, I doubt anyone would speak up as its just not the "professional" thing to do.

And if they do tell all and sundry about their "relationship", I'm sure HR will have some harsh words to say on the matter,

OpheliaRose · 22/04/2015 16:00

Gerti money wise everything is paid from our "bills account" I have house keeping money that is auto transferred to my account and access to the joint one. He's not touched the joint account but I'm assuming he is using his personal one or his savings account.

I will need to discuss short term finances with him at some point I guess. Just like I will need to discuss access etc
My hair was fairly long but out of condition and shape spin had it cut to just below my shoulders so it's now all one length without any straggly layers. The hair dresser suggested a fringe but I wasn't that brave! So she shaped the front a bit and said next time if I'm feeling braver I can go for a full fringe.

My hair is a dirty blonde / mousy brown so in considering dying it a more blonde colour

OP posts:
goshhhhhh · 22/04/2015 16:02

I'm afraid I think he is trying to force you into a position of acceptance - a this is how it is going to be. He is aiming to make it look like I was being considerate & we can all 've amicable, whilst behaving like a shit. He can then say look I told you it was on the rocks etc if you get angry.
I think you have behaved wonderfully. Aim to keep the moral high ground & try to 've indifferent on the outside even if on the inside you feel differently. Don't give him the satisfaction. In the end, although it might not feel it now I think he has done you a favour.

namechange2015 · 22/04/2015 16:04

Oo that sounds nice op, highlights next time Smile

GERTI · 22/04/2015 16:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

goshhhhhh · 22/04/2015 16:06

Why have be turned into 've!
& go blonde!

Fearless91 · 22/04/2015 16:06

OP go and get your hair dyed (if that's what you want to do) and then go buy some new clothes that you feel best in! Go for a run each day. Just do something as an energy release. Honestly that will so much!

get your friend over while your brother goes to the pub. Have a Chinese and take down all photos that include him. You don't have to throw them away, but at least put them in a bag.

Even move your room around a bit. Make changes so that when this twat does have to come over to talk he sees the changes you've made and doesn't think you're sat thinking about him all the time.

But honestly let your bro go to the pub and act as if he doesn't know anything, then mid convo blurt out the exact truth.

parsnipbob · 22/04/2015 16:07

Oh god I hope your DB makes them squirm!!!

Pinktartan · 22/04/2015 16:30

Bet your hair looks fab! A good cut makes such a big difference :-)

The sound of this OW makes my skin crawl. Flirting excessively is completely inappropriate with married people. It seems like she craves male attention. It's almost like she has enjoyed putting herself in the prime position as some kind of prize for the men to fight over. Even flirting with your brother fgs. Do any other women hang out in this group from work? I would feel sorry for somebody so lacking in self worth that they seek it in this way. And I feel rather annoyed at the men who suck it up, when I feel to women it would be so obvious!

I also think a lot of the office will know what they are upto...my ex cheated on me with a girl from work for months, he thought he had got away with it and that nobody knew ...I got a text from one of his colleagues telling me about it.

I had no clue of this affair. I hadn't noticed him spending any more time away, other than working late. I was there comforting him and getting angry at the company for making him work so hard! Well I later found out that he would visit her in her home before work, he had to work away and stay in hotels at times and they would sneak away during the day. So if somebody wants an affair they will always find time.

And at the time I was like you..I couldn't see that there were problems in the relationship. In hindsight I do see there were a lot of problems with how he treated me, and things have worked out for the best that we split as a result of his affair, and there were so many signs that he was having an affair that I chose to overlook e.g. He would stay up late after I had gone to bed when he would be messaging her but would tell me he wanted to watch something on tv or that he wasn't tired. He would take his phone into the bathroom and have long baths...'unwinding after a hard days work' he became very secretive with his phone and he would be on it all the time.

And somebody who is doing this, even when they are physically with you...emotionally they aren't. I think back to how we would go out for meals...I would feel happy that we'd gone out, but the conversation was stilted and he would be on his phone. Or when we went on holiday but he wouldn't let me put any pictures on Facebook, later realised he wouldn't want OW to see as he had fed her a tale of how awful our relationship was....yes because he wasn't putting any effort in! He also spend parts of the holiday on his phone...checking work emails apparently...yeah right!

He swore to me for months after that he was sorry, and that she was not a patch on me....over a year later they are now engaged and living together!

I am sorry that your H has been so distant, unapologetic and callous, but you need to use that and keep that as a way of not letting him back in. How can he be so cruel?! You must treat him with equal disdain and disregard.

Of course your mind will be racing with what he has done and so on and I had that..I needed that. But there comes a time when you realise it is pointless. What's done is done and you have to put it behind you.

Definitely block on Facebook. This helped me a lot. I completely cut contact after a week of sending hatefilled angry messages..I struggled to contain my emotions. And I felt temporarily better. But after that...nothing. I also told all of my family. I actually made an announcement on Facebook of exactly what he did to me, and I don't want to put myself too much but made sure his whole workplace knew, and he was very angry about these, because he liked to portray a very good, positive, polite, wholesome image of himself. People were so supportive to me and they will be to you too. Don't keep it to yourself. You need to grieve, cry, get angry, talk it out with anybody and everybody.

You are doing great. Let him having his night in the pub...big deal. He is missing out on so much more. If he is happy to throw away your little family over some flirt then more fool him. You are worth so much more. You have your twins and yourself to think about.

Phoenix0x0 · 22/04/2015 16:30

Your hair cut sounds lovely....as others have said go for the highlights too Grin.

I am so so glad you spoke to your brother and told him everything and he sounds like your knight in shining armour Star...maybe get him to act as go between for a while if he hasn't done something he shouldn't ;)

I also would cite adultery and I would name her as well in for a penny in for a pound.

As I said previously your H is a twunt and I would love to be a fly on the wall in the pub tonight......

Just imagine the scene...H sat with OW and work colleagues having a laugh and a mighty good time. In walks DB, who sits down with a pint opposite and spends the whole evening glaring at them....maybe even taking some pictures.

Evil laugh.

flipflapsflop · 22/04/2015 16:33

brother can sit down with his pint, say hi to them both and then ask her if she knew he referred to her as "wank fodder". tell the rest of the work mates, try to get the name to stick.

IggyStrop · 22/04/2015 16:35

Just read your whole thread. What a total dick he is, OP. I can't believe he just expects to seamlessly glide from one relationship to the other, and wants you to be all reasonable about it?! What a total fuckwit. Like a child who thinks that they want something, the world should bend to their will.

Sending you strength and a hug. I think you're doing bloody well and you can be proud of yourself.

Phoenix0x0 · 22/04/2015 16:35

flip

Grin
OpheliaRose · 22/04/2015 16:55

Thanks for making me laugh flip Smile

I've been wondering he she knows what he's said about her like calling her wank fodder. Obviously she knows he wanked over her since he sent the evidence! Although I'm starting to think she might find it a compliment.

DH did say she had a knack for making people she's talking to feel like the most important person in the room Simon not surprised she charmed DB when she met him. I don't know if she was actually flirting with him or distracting from the fact she has her eyes on DH.

OP posts:
Christinayangstwistedsister · 22/04/2015 17:01

Ah Ophelia another tough day , but you have managed once again

I am struggling to comment on his behavior as I just can't believe it

Please try an exercise like someone suggested it really does make you feel better and will help you sleep

I am glad you have told your brother , that's a big step for you, well done my lovely x

myshinynewusername · 22/04/2015 17:04

He just loves thinking that he has two women just desperate to win his affections.

Truth is that you have now seen him for the cheating, lying, pond life that he really is and the ow is just a lonely, desperate type who wanted the ego boost of your H's attention.

Don't respond to his text, and I agree with the posters who say that your brother should go to the pub and ask OW out in front of your H. That'll shit him up a bit!

awfulomission · 22/04/2015 17:08

Just de lurking to send you some virtual hugs.

You don't deserve this. As other posters have said, you're a quality person. You'll look back on this one day see this is the start of the rest of your life.

Keep on keeping on-I'm in awe of your dignity and resolve.

OpheliaRose · 22/04/2015 17:08

I feel very lost right now. I hate the idea that he is sat in a pub or on his way to one having fun without a care in the world while I'm sat home alone just thinking on everything I've lost.

I've seen a few threads where some amazing women have managed to rebuild their lives but right now I don't see how that's possible I feel like my world has ended and at 30 I'm to old to start from then beginning again

OP posts:
Christinayangstwistedsister · 22/04/2015 17:12

Oh Op I understand why you feel like that but 30 is nothing, there are women on here in their 50 s and 60s building new lives. You have everything ahead of you my love, and I know you can't see it just now, but you have escaped when you are still young, you could have wasted a lifetime with this man xxxx

magoria · 22/04/2015 17:13

Stop thinking how amazing she is.

I bet you she has the skankiest knees from the storeroom floor where she knelt to give at least one man a bj.

True class she is. Never has the phrase beauty is only skin deep been more true.

I would also bet it is only the men who think how lovely she is and any woman have cottoned on ages ago.

goshhhhhh · 22/04/2015 17:14

At 30 you are young.Just think you can now have a future worthy of you.

Christinayangstwistedsister · 22/04/2015 17:15

I know it is difficult but try not to think about the big picture, focus on getting through each day, making small changes, adjusting to your new life. Step by step a lovely new life will form and you will wake up one day wondering how you got there....and he will be the last thing on your mind

GatoradeMeBitch · 22/04/2015 17:15

30? You're a baby!! Write your last sentence out and keep it somewhere. In 20/30 years time you'll find it and laugh your arse off, I promise you!

The person who was supposed to love and cherish you has turned out to be a selfish sleazy creep, and it will take you a while to recover from that, but one day you'll be glad he's someone else's problem. I went through it, and endless other women. I don't know whether it's sad or funny that so many of us seem to have been given the same script to play out... (These days I'd go with funny!)

LunacyPays · 22/04/2015 17:20

30 is so young! Go and get your hair dyed, get your nails/eyebrows done, buy some nice clothes. Think about getting back to work, if that suits you - it will give you a independence. When you are feeling more on top of things, think about asking your mum to take the twins so you and a friend can go on a cheap holiday in the sun somewhere. Maybe a few FB photos of yourself looking fabulous and smiling?

BolshierAyraStark · 22/04/2015 17:21

30 is no age!
I promise you that no matter how much it hurts right now you will look back in a year & see what a huge favour tjis dipshit has done you.

I fully agree that your DB should enquire if OW is aware of the lovely term DH used for her...