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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:
hellsbellsmelons · 16/09/2015 15:52

Absolutely tell everyone!
I kept my Ex's secret for way too long.
It was such a relief to tell people.
I kept it bottled up and had to deal with it all on my own and why????
Goodness only knows.
You are definitely doing the right thing.
People can then rally round and support you.
Make sure you are drinking and eating what you can!

Cherrybakewells1 · 16/09/2015 16:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Scarydinosaurs · 16/09/2015 16:29

What a prick.

I also suspected at the start of the thread that FF was OW.

I'm sorry he's done this to you, it's terrible.

magoria · 16/09/2015 17:57

Has anyone mentioned you need a trip to an STI clinic courtesy of your slimy H.

This is why I always come down on the side of the OW partner has the right to know. So that they can make sure she hasn't given them something either.

lydiajane01 · 16/09/2015 20:19

magoria I believe someone has suggested I get an STI test. I'm really ashamed to have to go do it but unknown it's essential given what he's been up too Sad

He came round earlier to try come talk. I didn't let him last the door making it clear he wasn't welcome especially if all he had was another pack of lies. I said I wanted him to stop calling texting or coming to the house. I want the truth from him and won't engage until I get that and even then he will not be welcome in our family home again since he's destroyed that family

OP posts:
Cherrybakewells1 · 16/09/2015 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

magoria · 16/09/2015 21:31

There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of with an STI test. I made sure I had one after my last relationship ended before starting a new one.

It is a little undignified that is all.

Unfortunately I would imagine they have seen scores of people coming along because their partner is a cheat /-:

Also unfortunately your H seems unable to keep it in his pants as you have already forgiven him for stuff at least once.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/09/2015 21:33

lydiajane please, please believe me that having the STI checks is absolutely no worse than a smear, plus a basic blood test. As Cherry said, the staff really do see this all the time - they know perfectly well how you feel about it, and they really couldn't be calmer or more reassuring if they tried. And ff you prefer it you can tell them you don't want your attendance sharing with your GP, so it doesn't even have to appear on your medical records

About getting the truth before you'll engage with him - honestly forget it; why on earth would he suddenly find a conscience now? No doubt he'd say he's "learned his lesson" and that he "can't believe he was so stupid" and that "it really is the whole truth this time" ... then go right on cheating as soon as he felt he had you back in your box. After all, he's done it before ...

cozietoesie · 16/09/2015 21:56

Absolutely - STI checks are not at all embarrassing or shaming. The worst thing you could say about them is that they're a bit of a boring way of spending an hour or two, especially if there are several people in there for checking. Take a magazine.

Oh and:

...I want the truth from him and won't engage until I get that...

lydia - if that man told me it was Wednesday, I'd want independent verification of the date. You know he's a liar, you know that your chances of getting anything truthful out of him are a matter of coincidence only - and for all you know, he's never going to be looking hard enough at himself to tell you even what he believes might be the truth. (He'd be wrong.)

There's no point. There really is no point.

lydiajane01 · 16/09/2015 22:12

I know he's a liar and won't tell me the truth but I think I deserve it! He's lost me and "family" anyway so not telling me won't do any good Sad

I know I sound crazy but I'm just so angry at him

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 16/09/2015 22:18

You don't sound 'crazy' and you have every right to feel angry. I'm just saying that whatever he says to you will likely end up tasting like dry dust in your mouth. It won't be the truth and it won't help the way you feel. If you're minded to go ahead and 'have it out' with him, just remember that it won't solve a thing.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/09/2015 22:18

He's lost me and "family" anyway so not telling me won't do any good

But that's just it ... if he really did tell the truth he knows he'd lose you, as believe me there will be a lot more to this than you already know. And if he believes he's already lost you he'll see no point at all in being truthful - after all why humiliate himself when he knows there's no point?

You're absolutely right that you deserve the truth, but unfortunately you certainly won't get it from a man like this Sad

Joysmum · 16/09/2015 22:32

Of course you deserve the truth from him, but in the same way you deserved to have a monogamous marriage from him, he won't give to the truth either.

Cherrybakewells1 · 16/09/2015 23:03

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hellsbellsmelons · 16/09/2015 23:05

You SAW the truth with your own eyes. I can't imagine what else you need to know?
Your head will be all over the place and he will not give you the answers you so desperately need.
Take care of you.

cozietoesie · 16/09/2015 23:59

Or alternatively, Cherry, what if one or both of the DCs had had to come home unexpectedly from school? (It's not unknown for that to happen.)

No - his version of 'the truth' would likely be to put his head in his hands (but keeping a firm hold of the beer/whisky/whatever that he needed 'because this is all so difficult') and head straight for the 'I love you and the DCs so much - Where did we go so wrong, lydia?'

ie avoid explanations and go straight for the tears and protestations of inadequacy and failure. Very difficult for someone to resist if they have normal human compassion.

magoria · 17/09/2015 08:02

He lied to you.

He lied to his work.

He lied to his parents and by default to your DC too.

All so he could comfortably slip into another woman for the day.

There is your truth.

ravenmum · 17/09/2015 08:35

My take on these questions:

why bother begging me to not leave him and saying he wants to work on our marriage if he was just going to go sleep with someone else!!
Because he knew the affair was not a long-term relationship, and he wanted a long-term relationship. My husband was waiting to see whether his affair was going to last before leaving me, as he was terrified of being left alone. (Is this last bit as common as I think it is among men??)

And if the intention wasn't they leave their respective partners why did he think it was worth the risk of losing me and the children
They don't consider the risk. It's the risk that makes it so exciting (my husband invited one woman to our home for a BBQ and really got off on it), but they switch off their doubts as they are too inconvenient. My husband told his mistress that he did not feel at all guilty, and that he was surprised about it. They turn off the feelings that might detract from their fun. Head firmly in the sand.

He's not going to tell you the truth. He'll tell you as much of the truth as he thinks you already know, and even that will be twisted round to make it your fault. Maybe he's been shagging women left, right and centre throughout your marriage; maybe he just shagged one woman right at the end. Whatever, you know for certain that he's an adulterous liar, so can reasonably assume that anything is possible, from one end of the spectrum to the other.

TheDowagerCuntess · 17/09/2015 09:39

I'm so sorry OP.

The minute you said he was feeling sick on Sunday night and was already planning to take Monday off (who knows just how they'll actually feel until Monday?), and in his stomach-bug sick state was capable of proactively call his parents to collect the kids and give them dinner ... my heart sunk. What a lot of old shit.

Complete and utter arsehole.

There is no going back from this, right?

Cherrybakewells1 · 17/09/2015 11:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MagicalMrsMistoffelees · 17/09/2015 16:02

Am so sorry - what a horrible shock.

You're desperate for answers and the truth and you deserve that. But you won't get it from him. He has been SO deceitful and played such a long game that lying is his default setting now.

He's done all this right under your nose right when he had supposedly promised to engage in a spirit of 'openness' with his phone and laptop. On Saturday he told a pack of lies right to your face though your gut told you otherwise. He and his FF must think they are soooo clever!

I would definitely tell her fiancé! He is probably going through all the stuff you've been going through for the past few months (paranoia, self-doubt etc) and deserves to be put out of his misery.

One last thing - DO NOT allow your husband to make excuses that include blaming you, work or the fact that she 'understood' him. It's all bullshit and a cover for the fact he fancied a change and she was up for it. Yuk!

cozietoesie · 17/09/2015 16:13

It's going to be interesting to discover what happens at their employment - because they work together if I recall? It's bound to get round.

Hissy · 17/09/2015 16:40

Oh lovely, I am so sorry! What a horrible turn of events.

I know you are rightfully angry, but you really are doing the right thing, and making the right decisions instinctively, you're strong and will get through this.

Absolutely make no secret of this, why should her reputation be protected? She should have thought about that before she shagged him on your fucking sofa! I'd definitely get a man with a van and deliver it to her front garden. 24 hours tops!

Breathe lovely, it will be ok in the end. It really will.

SpineyCrevice · 18/09/2015 08:01

The reason he doesn't want you to tell the fiancee is he is likely to take a beating maybe? He is a coward among all the other things he is!

SpineyCrevice · 18/09/2015 08:02

Fiance that should be

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