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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

How to get past this?

12 replies

Madratlady · 12/09/2015 16:33

My husband recently told me he was having an emotional affair with a colleague. They apparently both realised they have feelings for each other when he was helping her move house at the weekend, although close friendship and presumably some feelings on both sides have been going on longer. He described it as them being 'in love'.

At first it looked seemed like he wasn't willing to give her up, it would hurt them both too much, and from what he said he wanted us both. I told him there was no way I could accept that and I would have to leave him. He then said he was going to stay with a (male) friend to work out what he wanted but ended up back within an hour as he said leaving me felt wrong.

We've talked a lot, we both want to work things out and although he hasn't used it as an excuse we'd lost a lot of closeness in our relationship over the past months, we weren't being affectionate and communicating mainly about kids/practical stuff. We are trying to fix that as we both love each other.

He's been totally honest with me, we're talking lots, he has answered all my questions. We're working on our relationship and I believe that we can work things out but I'm having trouble getting past some things - he made me feel like I mattered no more to him than her and at first seemed like he wouldn't stop seeing her even if it meant I left. He still seems to think that they can have a more platonic friendship somewhere down the line. I can't see me ever being OK with that, its bad enough that they will still see each other at work every day. He has deleted her number and promised he will only speak to her if he has to about work and won't be spending time alone with her.

We only moved here 4 months ago, all my friends and family are 100 miles away and I'm 7 month pregnant. There would never be a good time but this is terrible timing to have to deal with this.

How am I going to get over this and feel OK with him again? I want to, we've always had a good relationship up until now and I love him.

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Madratlady · 12/09/2015 16:33

Wow sorry that's long

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SlowlyGoingINSAINIA · 12/09/2015 17:03

he made me feel like I mattered no more to him than her and at first seemed like he wouldn't stop seeing her even if it meant I left

I think this is still the case. It doesn't sound like he wants to give the OW up at all. He will probably wait until you are distracted with your newborn and start things up with her again.

You've only lived in the new place 4 months, its not too late to move back. Flowers

Madratlady · 12/09/2015 17:15

I believe him when he says that me and our children are his priority, but I guess the only way to know for sure is to see how it goes. He keeps telling me that he loves me, doesn't want to lose me and will only have a professional relationship with her now. He's never given me reason to distrust him before so I don't want to end my marriage over 'what ifs'.

I would really love to move back home, and I think he would if I really insisted but we're in a year long contract with our landlord here. It's also a good place to bring up the DC and we can afford for me to stay at home with them. His job is a great career move and a really good employer.

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EngTech · 12/09/2015 17:25

Good thing is that you are talking

Ask him why the emotional relationship started

Madratlady · 12/09/2015 17:43

We'd slipped into being less affectionate with each other, not really talking/chatting apart from about dc and practical stuff, moving and the stress of a new job which had him spending most evenings reading up on stuff for his new role made that worse. So he was feeling distant from me. Add to that his colleague having a boyfriend (very casual relationship afaik) with someone she didn't care much about and not having made any real friends since she came to the UK, I can see why she got attached to him, he is kind and funny and interesting to talk to.

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EngTech · 12/09/2015 18:00

All you can do, is do your best, plus keep talking :)

A case of him deciding who / what is important in his life?

I am far from perfect, I am male !!! LOL but I do try my best with my OH, 31 years married come December

We have our ups and downs but we do talk, which is something I suppose
keep your chin up just a "blip" in your relationship

RedMapleLeaf · 12/09/2015 18:06

Flowers There is no need for you to make any big decisions. It's ok to take it a day at a time. You already have the answers, and you'll find them when you're ready for them.

Are you in couples counselling?

LeonC · 12/09/2015 18:27

Oh how hard for you Madrat, especially being pregnant.
He has been a bit of a prick doing this when you need his support so much.

So does he still think he is in love with the OW? Is he being noble and a martyr by sticking with his family?

Would separating for a few days/ weeks giving you both space and time to consider your options work for you?

Patchworkpatty · 12/09/2015 18:43

I have to say that I have always thought the 'tell him to move out for a few days' line a little bizarre. Hmmm I wonder .. A few days without young kids/ pregnant wife and the day to day trudge and toil would feel ? Bloody fantastic as far as I recall.! ..because it doesn't feel like forever, just a respite from the real world. Then he gets to quite like it...If lack of closeness has been a problem, him going to a hotel and bleating on EA women's shoulder is all it takes to move from good friends to 'the woman who understands me'. Personally I would ask him to stay and work together on rekindling your closeness, so he can realise what he would miss.

Madratlady · 12/09/2015 18:57

Not in couples counseling, this has all been very recent.

I don't think time apart would be the best thing when we need to work on our relationship and part if the problem has been us being less close. Plus it'd be really unfair on DS.

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RedMapleLeaf · 12/09/2015 19:09

I'd get to counselling earlier rather than later.

Madratlady · 13/09/2015 10:36

Problem is we have a toddler and a baby due very soon, and no child care/babysitter. And not much disposable income right now. So whilst counseling might not be a bad idea, I don't see how we can.

Still, we are talking and being honest with each other and both want to fix things which has to make it more likely to be OK.

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