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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

Should I trust him after possible infidelity

164 replies

lydiajane01 · 11/09/2015 21:55

At the start of the year I saw some messages between my husband and a female friend from work. They seemed to be discussing his potential infidelity not with her but another woman in their department. Husband swore blind that he hadn't actually gone through with it just had his head turned by this woman.

The female friend he was chatting to about it is someone I know. I wouldn't say we are as close friends like she is with my husband, as they spend time socialising as a group with some other friends from work, but I would say we are friends. She's invited me out to her birthday's and some "girly nights" over the last few years

Husband and I almost split up over it but we decided to work through the issues. There was a lot else going on at the same time which lead him to say he felt neglected by me and when the OW had started to "come on to him" he'd felt flattered and enjoyed the attention.

The things he was telling his female work friend was fairy graphic but I do believe him that nothing actually happened with OW. He admits he didn't intend for me to see their messages, he said he used to delete anything that wasn't purely innocent friendly chat, so I would like to believe that he didn't physically cheating otherwise he would have given his female friend the details in that conversation

I was very angry and became rather jealous of his friendship with his female friend because a) he was discussing his potential cheating with her b) that he was obviously confiding in her over me on a rang of other issues. I've never had any problem with their friendship before as she is very nice and friendly but as part of the getting through what he'd done I asked him to talk to her a bit less until I was over my jealousy.

My issue comes now that although he did stop talking to her so much for a while he's been talking to her an awful lot again recently. He's open with his Work laptop (another condition of us not splitting) and I admit I had a look a few nights ago. His email account is full of emails from them! some work related but others are obviously just long chatty emails. I felt a tiny bit jealous again but was prepared to let it lie until I noticed something slightly odd. In a few of his emails he says things like I will text you or check your whatsapp. At first she questions why and he makes it clear whatever it is he wanted to say isn't appropriate for email at work.

Husband took passcode off his phone at my request after I saw him talking about cheating. I took the chance to look at his phone and found hundreds of messages between him and his female friend on whatapps. It looks like they message on it during work, most evenings after work and occasionally on weekends. Now they are good friends so I would expect the to chat a bit but I now feel very insecure and jealous about the amount he talks to her! I read a large chuck of the messages and they are all totally innocent but it just really bothered me.

I checked his normal text messages because my Husband specifically mentioned that she should read her text messages in an email he sent last week. I may be being over suspicious or paranoid but I definitely feel like he's been deleting some of the messages. I also got the impression from one conversation just before the bank holiday they were meeting up somewhere. It was a bit odd as it was clearly during the day at work. He said he was leaving now and she said see you in 5 minutes. I don't really see why they would need to go meet up somewhere as they sit near each other

I can't decide if I should believe my husband or not when he says he didn't actually cheat. I also don't know how much I trust his friendship with his friend. Its clear they are still very very close and talking all the time and although the chats are very innocent I have this gnawing feeling that he's deleting messages again. He would only be doing that if he had something to hide. He's very open with his phone, laptop and work laptop which makes me feel like I must be being silly. If he was cheating he wouldn't let me near them surely?!

In all their chats I've seen no mention of the original OW so I fully believe him when he says he cut all contact with her but this last week I've been questioning his "friendship" with this female friend. I feel like they are too close but he obviously has no intentions of giving up his friendship with her

She is in a long term relationship, engaged with 2 daughters

I realise this was very long but I really needed to get it off my chest

OP posts:
lydiajane01 · 12/09/2015 21:49

I feel very stupid I really really thought he wanted to save our marriage. He seemed so remorseful and desperate when he thought he's lost us all at the start of the year.

I know he's lying and is hiding something otherwise he wouldn't need to remove messages but I just don't understand why. Yes its not always been easy to get past what he tried to do but I forgave him, we talked a lot, I gave him every chance to tell me everything and I believed he had. Although I wanted access to his phone / laptops I never threw it in his face. I thought we were both working towards a new happy recovered stage in our marriage

This is heart breaking

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/09/2015 21:53

You're not 'stupid', don't ever think that. Someone once said that it's easy to lie to someone who trusts you - and I think you were trying very hard to do just that is all.

I'm so sorry.

Whatifitoldyou · 12/09/2015 22:07

He probably was remorseful. But he's not now. I suspect once the panic about a divorce wore off he considered he had a free pass.

www.chumplady.com/2013/07/real-remorse-or-genuine-imitation-naugahyde-remorse/

Duckdeamon · 13/09/2015 07:17

He sounds very sure of himself and that you will put up with this shit. Don't!

So you should somehow be grateful that he toned things down with OW no 2 (female "friend") for a bit?

Emotional affair with this "friend". Totally disrespectful to you and undermining your marriage.

Is this - and his entitled attitude - the final straw?

lydiajane01 · 15/09/2015 14:36

Wanted to update and say thank you for all the advice and helpful comments.

Monday I was due to be back very late from a work conference. Husband said he was feeling poorly on Sunday night so was going to take Monday off work. He arranged for his parents to pick the kids up from school and give them dinner just in case he was still feeling ill. He told me he has some kind of stomachs bug that was making him sick.

On Monday I'd got about 20 minutes down the road when I realised I'd left some important papers at home so I drive back and came in through the back gate and door so not to disturb Husband. I went through the kitchen door into the living room to get to the table where I knew I'd left the papers to find husband having sex with FF on our sofa.

I won't say I reacted well to the situation. I'm pretty ashamed at my self for the amount of yelling and screaming that I did.

I ended up telling him that I was going to drive to the supermarket get some shopping and by the time I got back I wanted him and "that tart" out of my house.

I told work i was sick also and needed to cancel going to the conference picked up the kids from school myself. So far trying my know what's going on I told them Dad was suddenly called away. I think I was in shock yesterday and on auto pilot but know I can't stop crying thinking about him, her and what the hell in going to do next.

He's called a few times and text me loads saying we need to talk. I don't know what to do right now

OP posts:
pocketsaviour · 15/09/2015 14:59

Oh OP I'm so sorry, how horrible for you. Flowers

Have you got a friend in RL who knows what's happened? Sounds like you could do with some practical support and someone to keep you company while you cry and rant at the bastard.

What a gold plated fucknut. Angry

ravenmum · 15/09/2015 15:06

Yelling and screaming sounds like a very normal reaction to me in that situation. He should be the one that's ashamed, not you - though you can bet he's not.

Do you think there's anything you need to talk about? Bearing in mind that last time he just blamed it all on you. (His affair was NOT your fault last time - being unhappy in your marriage is a reason for counselling or divorce, not a reason for deceit.)

Hope you can get some support in real life? Follow your feelings - if you don't want him around don't have him around. Give yourself time and don't listen if he tries to make out that you are being unreasonable in any way.

lydiajane01 · 15/09/2015 15:08

I've text my two closet friends and told them what he's done. I didn't tell anyone about his attempted affair before so it's come as a complete shock to them. One has offered to come over later and help me look through all the paper work for the house and thins like that.

I just can't stop crying I'm so angry and hurt. I forgave him for the attempted affair. I don't believe him now when he says he never did anything with the OW and I want to know how long he's been carrying on with his FF. night cannot believe he would do this to me!

They were both gone when I got back from the shops. He left his iPad, personal laptop and work laptop. He's been begging to come over so we can talk about it but I'm sure he's just going to feed me more and more lies

OP posts:
ravenmum · 15/09/2015 15:18

The fact you believed him before, and forgave him, shows that you are a better person than him. Get the paperwork locked away where he can't get at it - people will say change the locks. Never did it myself, partly as he'd already taken the paperwork when he left Confused.

I didn't let on to my husband how much I knew, and he told me lies about everything he thought I didn't know. Only admitted anything that he was sure I knew and could prove, and told me "You don't know that!" when I said anything I didn't offer proof for.

They don't want to admit what shits they have been, even to themselves, so they even convince themselves that it's all your fault. As a result they do sound convincing.

Jan45 · 15/09/2015 15:30

Right, it's well and truly over now, please don't be a complete and utter doormat and take him back, he's one horrible sleazy man and believe me there are far better out there, in fact being on your own surely is preferable to having fuck all to do with this creep.

You really need to smell the coffee OP, he's one of life's no gooders, get yourself surrounded by family and friends and get preparing for a life without this dead weight.

hellsbellsmelons · 15/09/2015 15:41

Take it one hour at a time for now.
I'm so sorry you found out in such a horrible way.
Just ignore or block him for now so he's not able to contact you and get inside your head any more than he already is. If need be, send him a text asking him to leave you alone for at least a week so you can get your head togher, then ignore!

Keep yourself busy with DC and other things.
It might be therapeutic to pack away his belongings into bin bags.
But try, really try to keep your sugar levels up.

Shock will hit soon enough and you will come crashing down. Blimey I'm in shock for you.
So sugary tea or soup or ice lollies or ice cream. I know I couldn't keep anything solid down. Not for weeks but kept going with those things.
Cry when you need to. The tears will come and come, let them.
Get some real life support around you as quickly as possible.
Don't be keeping his dirty little secret for him.
Tell someone and get them round to help you out.

Again, I am so so sorry you are having to go through this.
Many of us have been there. And, although it's no comfort now and it won't feel like it, you will get through this.

Once you have some strength and the anger kicks in, you can get to a solicitor and see where you stand with assets, maintenance, etc....
For now, look after yourself and the kids.
Flowers for you.

cozietoesie · 15/09/2015 16:10

I'm so sorry, lydia.

As a first step, chuck that ruddy sofa.

lydiajane01 · 15/09/2015 17:31

I just want to pour bleach on the sofa.

He keeps calling and texting. His excuses are varied. What's pissed me off the most is he's asked me not to tell her fiancé because he doesn't want her getting hurt!

Well maybe they should have both thought about that before hand! Actions have consequences

OP posts:
pocketsaviour · 15/09/2015 17:35

I would text him once and ask him to respect your need for space and stop bloody texting and calling you.

I would probably tell her fiance to be perfectly honest. Whereas if he hadn't said anything I'd probably have kept schtum. Your decision though.

Duckdeamon · 15/09/2015 17:36

Sorry he has another OW SadAngry Best to let him stew for a long good while and not engage with it and focus on the practical and financial stuff while you have the chance.

lydiajane01 · 15/09/2015 17:51

I've text him back saying if he doesn't stop calling or texting I'll block his number (although I've no idea if that's actually possible)

I don't like the idea that if I told him is be responsible for breaking another persons heart or wrecking the lives of 2 more children but then again he has a right to know. I also think she deserves to know the pain I'm currently going through.

It's all such a mess. I have no idea how I've been so stupid. Was she always his OW?! Or did it start post me finding out about his original attempts to cheat.

OP posts:
DragonsCanHop · 15/09/2015 18:07

Use your angry phase to your advantage. Don't keep his shitty secret for him, you have done nothing wrong.

Don't respond to anything from him, he doesn't deserve your time.

magoria · 15/09/2015 18:35

Even now he is protecting her over you.

Tell him one more text and her fiancé will know everything.

cozietoesie · 15/09/2015 19:07

Could you sort out your financials this evening, lydia? (And identify a solicitor to consult as soon as you can.)

Was tomorrow supposed to be a working day for you?

cozietoesie · 15/09/2015 19:10

PS - I'd be arranging to get yourself a sexual health check right away. (Very easy and straightforward - but maybe take something to read/do with you if you walk off the street. Just in case there's a queue.) I'm afraid that you just don't know where this man has been.

YouBastardSockBalls · 15/09/2015 19:19

I'd tell the fiancé. You'd want to know if it were you? It'll all come out anyway so he may as well know now.

Flowers for you.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/09/2015 19:24

I have no idea how I've been so stupid

No - there's nothing stupid about trusting the man you loved, or even giving him the benefit of the doubt to a certain extent. Unfortunately, though, it's all too easy to think that because you behave decently he'll do the same, and it's a shock to find he hasn't

Impossible to say when it all started, but in the end it hardly matters; his status as a practiced, utter liar is now sadly beyond doubt

bjrce · 15/09/2015 19:27

i am so sorry for you, I posted last Fri night and thought you must have been exhausted with all the checking and running around, turns out you were completely right.
Take care of yourself OP. these are the worst days, you are probably in awful shock.

I am disgusted all he can offer is to not tell the fiance, he is still putting her first, that is
truly low of him.

Don't speak to him until you are feeling stronger.
As for the fiance, I know what I'd do!, but that is entirely up to you.

Best of luck.

Havalina1 · 15/09/2015 21:17

Ah Jesus I am so so sorry this is the case for you. What an utter prick.

I agree you should tell people in order to bolster you up / this isn't your dirty secret to keep. I'm really really sorry his is happening to you. He is a disgrace.

Just, please let your friends mind you now.

cozietoesie · 15/09/2015 21:18

...I just want to pour bleach on the sofa...

And I can't blame you! I'd get it out of the house though - perhaps the friend who is coming round can help? You'll feel a lot better for it even though it's not down to the sofa; the fault lies squarely with them.