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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

DH emotional affair I don't know what to do

63 replies

berrycloud · 14/01/2016 15:20

I am completely broken. I have no one to talk to about this and I feel like I'm going crazy.
DH had a apparent breakdown last year, I say apparent as I'm seriously questioning everything hes ever said.
The first I knew about it he crashed his car in a village near to where we lived. He parked up and phoned me in floods of tears. He had left very early that morning to goto a meeting in a major city about 80 miles away by train. So I was shocked he hadn't gone there at all. He said he had a doctors appointment and he was killing time before it and then crashed. I picked him up and brought him home. He said he had missed his doctors appointment and was a complete mess, said it was all because his dad was seriously ill and his job had become to much. He had an appointment at the doctors the nxxt day, they said it was stress and he had had a breakdown, he was signed of work. He had a text to remind him of this apt and he was surprised about this. I thought it odd cos surely he would have had a text the day before.
I cared for him and tried helping all the time, doing everything I could and informing parents etc. He was horrible to be around and he had me in nearly constant tears. I couldn't do anything right. I tried really hard. We did argue a lot but he would jump down my throat and I felt I had done nothing wrong.
It was a miserable time the last 6 months of last year. He also had totally gone of sex for a few years before this. I blamed myself and said he didn't find me attractive. He always said he did. But still nothing. No intimacy. I have put on a lot of weight so blamed myself at being disgusting and a boring housewife.
I tried looking after him all this time and everyone in the family was looking at me to do more and more for him but no one helped. A few times I asked him to leave but he never would, only storm out. But he kept making out it was me all the time, my ungratefull behaviour for all he does, me not making enough effort with the house etc.
Things have been very up and down and I have felt very alone. I have no one to talk to. I did say to my sister once that could he have been having an affair when the car crash happeded, she was horrified and said he would never do that to me. I wasn't so sure.
Anyway weve carried on and things have been ok ish but I have felt unloved but he says no problems with him, apart from I argue and bring up things from years ago. Like how he used to go out a lot and tell the kids he would be home for dinner then go totally non contact and roll in the early hours of the morning. I would never know who he was with or where. But when I put my foot down and threatened to throw him out cos it was making me so ill and upset. He wasn't happy but stopped going out. But thimks I am unreasonable about it and he is a martyr about not going oit now. I have no trouble with him going out just not disappearing.
Anyway thinks have plodded on and occasionally I can see the man he used to be and I love those time.
Aplogies for the essay length of my post. He went away for business a few days ago and while I was on the computer I saw his facebook was open so had a little snoop in his messages. I was totally shocked what I found from one of his female friends who I had always been a bit feeling about but nothing ever seen and he didn't really mention her much. The messages started from thr beginning on the year when he was saying how young she looked and he couldn't believe her age and she saying how young he looked. Then her saying she wants to buy him a drink for being so nice and was he coming out on works drinks. He said no cos he was signed of work. Then he said about how he had to leave me, that we had grown apart and he couldn't go on like this, he needed to get the guts to tell me. She was saying he should do it and be happy. She has just recently left her partner and was saying its much better and its nicer when you are happy. They talked aboyt shared child care and how he likes the idea of that. I checked my phone texts from him frm that night and we were getting on ok ish and he was texing me the same time as texting her. We had sex that night, that makes me sick now that he was talking to her about leaving me.
I'm sure some messages must have been deleted. Then the next messages were I knew you had trouble with her a few years ago!!!
and then sorry I didn't see you at work, and all his friends had been saying how she was jokingly annoyed and missed him. I thought this sounded flirty.
I felt sick after reading all this, I had no idea he wanted to leave me I was fuming so called him, he hadn't quite got to his office but I shouted that hes having an affair and what I had seen. I was so angry. He denied it all so I put the phone down on him. I text and asked him to come back that night., he didn't. I phoned him yesterday morning and let loose again, he denied touching her, so I said its an emotional affair. He denies this, She's a friend, he says he doesn't have her phone number, they talk at work and he has spoken to her about me. He was supposed to be arranging to come home yesterday but he didn't. Text him last night. He says we have no relationship if I go snopping as soon as he's away and I'm second guessing everything he does. That we've been going on like this for years but he understands im angry. I think I must have been picking up on his feeling towards me all this time. He had just never said anything about not wanting me at all. Although I can see now his actions did.
He then says we cant sort this out while he's away and he will be back this evening. I feel he's not bothered and is blaming me for finding the messages. I am totally destroyed I feel so ill, I can barely eat and I feel crazy. Ive been looking after the kids and not coping at all with this info. He's home soon and I don't know what to do. Part of me wants to throw him out and part of me wants him to want to make it better. Is this an emotional affair,? I cant think properly.

OP posts:
Gobbolino6 · 14/01/2016 20:46

You ask if this is an emotional affair. I don't even think that's important. What's important is that this man treats you like NOTHING.

berrycloud · 15/01/2016 07:43

Yesterday I saw my mum at the hobby and got so upset I ran out to the car, she followed me and I told her everything. It all exploded out. Felt hysterical. She took me back to he house and told my dad and we had a chat and hugs. I cried lots but felt a bit of relief for telling someone.

I saw "dh" for a minute before we got out of the house to the hobby. He totally ignored me and I just couldn't cope with seeing him. I just needed to stay away from him.
My sister was told what's happened and she phoned me and had a lovely chat. They are all shocked at everything that's happened they always thought he was so nice. My sister is fuming and has told me they will all support me whatever I decide. They all agree it was nasty behaviour.
So I decided to stay at my mums as I just needed to be away from him and have a break. I had text earlier in the evening to say pick up child from hobby. And that I was so upset I had broken down and told my mum and would let him know what I decided.

OP posts:
berrycloud · 15/01/2016 07:48

Sorry posted to soon. So I went back to quietly collect some clothes for the night and thought he hadn't heard me. Until I went to leave he asked if I was staying at my mums, I said yes, then he said sorry and looked upset and shocked. But I just left.
Sorry for what I don't know.
so I've stayed the night at mums. I thought I would sleep well but my mind has been racing. I'm not sure what to do next but just trying to live in the moment.

This is the first morning ever when I've not had kids to deal with. It feels bizarre.
Thanks for all your help. I think if I hadn't posted yesterday I might have stayed and taken it all again.

My parents say I need to talk to him but he's made not effort and is probably going to work again anyway.

It hurts that he hasn't deleted her on facebook. And I could see him active of there in the early hours of the morning and driving myself mad that he's speaking to her! Cos he certainly not tried with me.

OP posts:
Jan45 · 15/01/2016 13:22

Stay at your mum's OP, don't go back, at least not until he fesses up, what a horrible man.

Duckdeamon · 15/01/2016 13:52

Are you going to take the DC to your parents' too? Or ask your H to move out?

Suggest seeking legal advice: lots of info on MN about that.

MagicalMrsMistoffelees · 15/01/2016 14:19

I'm sorry things are so crap for you right now. I can't help feeling sure that if you got rid of your husband you would be able to heal and then move forward.

Because as it is, your husband is just not good for you. He is not caring, considerate, honest, loving, supportive or nurturing. He is lying, rude, hurtful, doesn't communicate, disappears without telling you where he's going. And that's even before the issue of his flirtations with other women.

I don't want to be harsh or make things worse for you but it sounds as though he's bored of the marriage and totally uninvested in your relationship. So stop letting him behave like this. Only you can make that change because he will just carry on as he is dithering and prevaricating as he seeks someone to have an affair with in the hope that you might finally do what he's too lazy / selfish to do and that's end the marriage.

Cleensheetsandbedding · 15/01/2016 18:44

He is waiting for you to finish it so he can blame the break up on you.

If he was truley sorry he would be on the phone, sending messages telling you he was an idiot and he is sorry. Go off his actions now- not in few days when he realises he fantasy life isn't going to work out.

Have a look at drepression fallout it's a great book.

berrycloud · 16/01/2016 23:56

We have argued a lot. I said he could stay if he's willing to work at it.

He decided to be "honest" and say he needs to leave to think and needs a break. So he gone to his friends house. He said to me you wanted me to be honest and this is it.

He was turning lots of the Arguements into things I have done wrong. I never said I was perfect and he was always able to leave anytime.

So I'm left totally up in the air not knowing when he's coming back if ever.
I know I should feel stronger and be braver and I wish I didn't love him but I just feel like I want to die. I'm having a panic attack and feel awful. I was ok for a few hours.

It seems to have all been turned into him deciding what to do. How the hell has this happened.

OP posts:
HarmlessChap · 17/01/2016 00:35

As a bloke I "get" that he doesn't believe that it's cheating unless there is physical contact, but he is wrong.

Its the thought that counts doesn't only apply in a good way.

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 00:39

That's interesting to hear. I've looked him in the eye and asked but he says I'm reading much more into it. Nothing was ever intended like an emotional affair or affair. And he has no feelings for her.

OP posts:
HarmlessChap · 17/01/2016 01:13

Well then it comes down to whether you believe him. If it was all bullshit and banter then maybe it could be put down to poor judgement but if he had any feelings for them then its a betrayal, IMO.

Cleensheetsandbedding · 17/01/2016 01:14

Op get in to bed and focus on your breathing it helps with my anxiety.

Your in this situation now because you have allowed it. How can he respect you when you don't even respect yourself? Even if this is depression, even if he hadn't had an emotional affair ( trust your gut instinct on that not his excuses or blame) he still has treated you appallingly. AND you still left the door open and he didn't want to come back.

Close of for now and take the offer of the table, for your own sanity and esteem. Don't beg or suggest ways of fixing things. If he wanted you back he would be climbing through hoops and your not seeing that because your letting him walk all over you. He probally has no respect for you as you have bent over backwards to accommodate his shit.

Go quiet and these next few weeks will be very telling in how he sees you and what kind of person he is. Also if he is seeing some one they will come out of the woodwork soon enough.

Be kind to yourself op, you can't 'save' this man. But you can save yourself more heart ache down the line by not allowing him to continue to treat you and your family like this Flowers

Cleensheetsandbedding · 17/01/2016 01:15

What he wrote in those messages were nasty and very telling at where is mind is at.

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 01:30

Thank you cleensheet that does sound good advice. I can't believe i have been so soft to even offer coming backs as an option. I actually apologised as well today for getting so annoyed. I have no idea what I was thinking doing that.
I need to be strong. I haven't contacted him at all this evening and he hasn't contacted me either.
I hate that he's making me feel like this. I would never treat him this way. I am laying in bed and trying to calm down but it's not going great im shaking and feeling sick. Bloody panic attacks.
I'm really aware the kids will be up soon and I have had no sleep. It's a full on day with family party tomorrow and my kids are looking forward to it but I just can't stand the thought of going to it. I have another kid I need to run around to different places. Everything just feels so overwhelming. Yet he's having a "break"

OP posts:
Ohfourfoxache · 17/01/2016 01:57

Right.

You can do this, lassie. You're strong and brave and a wonderful, wonderful mum.

You've got support from your fabulous family.

None of this is your fault. None. Nowt. Nada.

You're allowed to feel overwhelmed - of course you are, it's only natural. But you CAN DO THIS. I promise.

Fwiw he sounds like a cunt. Actually, no he doesn't - he lacks the depth and warmth Hmm

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 02:07

Thanks ohfour. That's nice to hear. Especially in this early hours of the morning when I'm wide awake. I can't believe I'm in this situation. My family are being lovely and supportive. I don't have many friends and maybe 1 I would feel comfortable telling all this to but she's away on a much needed holiday so it will have to wait a few days.
I have leant on him so much for help with the kids,house etc. The thought of doing it on my own is so frightening. I haven't worked for years. My qualifications are old and specialist and it's all moved into computers now. And I haven't practised it in years for raising the family dealing with the house. But I supported him through years of exams and working crazy hours to where he has a good job. Sorry for my rambling on.

OP posts:
Ohfourfoxache · 17/01/2016 02:22

Don't be daft - rambling is good! Grin

I'm not surprised you're frightened. This is all new and horrible and strange and has come like a bolt from the blue.

But do you know what? You're wide awake after 2am but it will never, ever be this bad again. The absolute worst is over. Tomorrow night will be easier. As will the one after that, and the one after that.

In some ways it's like a bereavement; the person you thought he was doesn't exist and you're mourning what you've lost. But you have every right to be angry - he is the one who caused this.

Have you thought about making a list of the things you have to/want to think about? Sometimes emptying my brain onto a (very small!) piece of paper can help.

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 02:43

The thought that this is the worst it could be is actually comforting.
I just noted down a few things about him. I'm hoping that will help. It was a small piece of paper!
I also feel awful cos I had been quite sure he hadn't told his family but I've discovered through more snooping! That he's visiting his parents tomorrow and I've been struck by all the bad things they will be saying about me and I feel sick about it. I can't imagine him telling the truth about it and I will painted as crazy wife. I don't know any of this for sure but it's my mind playing out awful scenarios. Also he may ask to stay there and I don't know why it just make me feel awful. All his family knowing. I've seen recently how they've closed ranks against exs and it scares me. It's times like this I think if I had kept it between us and not had a breakdown to my family just after he got home, things might have been sorted out better between us.

OP posts:
Ohfourfoxache · 17/01/2016 02:54

Ok, I'm going to be blunt.

He's a cheating, lying, manipulative scumbag. Whatever bad things he may or may not say about you are going to be lies. And anyone who believes those lies is utterly deluded.

Does it really, genuinely, truly matter what they think of you? If they do think you're the crazy wife, the only evidence they will have is based on utter untruths.

Please don't be scared. I can understand it - you're scared because you care about what they think. But at the end of the day, what they think is utterly irrelevant.

And please, please don't feel awful about him staying wih his family. He caused this, not you xx

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 03:03

Ok blunt but true. It's hard to think my "lovely" dh is this man.

I can't control what they think I suppose but I always worry what everyone thinks of me.
If he stays with his parents he will be within a few minutes of where I live and probably pass us driving anywhere around here. At least with his friend he's far away. I might throw up if I see him.
I've also had my youngest getting upset for hours cos they miss Daddy and it makes me so angry I'm dealing with all this and their upset while he's away. When I stayed away the other night he told the kids I was ill in bed and not to disturb me, so no hard conversations for him.
Thanks for chatting with me ohfour you've been a big help. I think I will try and sleep now.

OP posts:
Ohfourfoxache · 17/01/2016 03:09

Sleep tight Berry xx

Drivingnovice · 17/01/2016 07:30

Morning Berry
I hope you managed at least a couple of hours sleep....
And I'm so sorry you're going through this, but you're in the right place. Many of us have walked in your shoes and we know what it feels like. I can also tell you that this isn't your fault....

I'll also be blunt and say I'm sorry but I think he's cheating. I don't necessarily think it's the FB friend. I think maybe he was lining her up.
I think when he crashed his car he was on the way to meet someone. Reason he was on floods of tears, cos he thought he'd been caught out.
It's a classic I'm afraid, meeting up for a quick shag in a Travel lodge at 7am, you can still be in the office for 9 and no one is any the wiser...
Another claims I'm afraid is going off sex and then causing arguments. Does he tell you the house is untidy...? Yeah, thought so....

He will do these three things
Deny
Delete
Minimise

He already doing the denying. He has already deleted stuff of FB. And in the end it will be the, I only met her once, only kissed her once blah, blah. You might even be lucky enough to hear my particular favourite, I met her but I couldn't manage sex Hmm

You have done exactly the right thing asking him to go.
I'm in daznger of sounding a bit woo here, but I think you're instinct is telling you, that's why you feel sick when you see him....

I would also bet that he has another email account, a hotmail or gmail. Can you check the history or does he use a laptop. Does he have a blackberry?

Don't worry about what his family think. You can and will get through this. If you decide to talk to him about it all remember, open questions... If you ask him a tricky one and he doesn't answer, don't fill the silence. Wait. Wait for him to answer. It's difficult to do but do not fill that silence...

Sorry Berry, that turned into a bit of an essay didn't it! I just wanted to brain dump everything for you.
Yes you will feel resentful that you have up your career for the DC and supported him building his... But once this is over and remember what you do going forward is up to you, If you can talk it through (but be aware of the 'pick me' dance) and sort it out and you're both happy, it doesn't have to be the end. But regardless you can emerge from this a new, stronger Berry. But that is a whole other thread Smile Flowers

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 09:11

I got a few hours sleep then kids got up and there's snow so it's been busy here with them playing out.
My stomach still is in knots and I feel sick. I've eaten a bit but I've really had to force myself. I need to get past this horrible feeling.
I've checked for hotels etc near where he crashed and there is a travel lodge a minute down the road from there and when he crashed he was driving the road away from that area. I did feel at the time something was wrong with what happened but wasn't sure. He left the house at 7. I had a text from him saying he was on the train a bit later then something like 10 or 10.30 I found out he had crashed and needed my help. So it is a big amount of time unaccounted for. He was crying hysterically when I got to him. Couldn't really talk to me. Only later that day everything's getting to much for him. The crash wasn't that bad he rear ended the car in front of him. His car was still drivable.
Regarding sex he's not been very interested for a few years. That has been a cause of arguemebts cos I would always initiate and he would say no. Never was interested. I drove myself mad saying I'm to fat, to ugly but no it wasn't me. Then a few months ago I saw he had googled about erectile dysfunction and had some bought Viagra in a local chemist online. I didn't tell him I saw this but spoke and spoke to him one Evening and he told me he was having trouble and it was easier not to do it he had been embarrassed to tell me. He never said he bought the tablets and I didn't say I knew. He said he would goto the doctors and he got a prescription for Viagra which he got and we did use a few times and they seemed to work. And a few times without the tablets and he felt the problem was going away. But it's still not a lot of times.

I've tried to get into his emails with no luck. I've gone all through the computer. He has a work phone here but it needs a password so I can't look on it. I know he has 2 email addresses and made a note of the name of the other one a while ago.
Something else pretty bad last year I found on the computer was gay porn and gay meeting sites. I couldn't see if he had joined etc. I never confronted him about any of this. I can't believe I let that go as well.

I am thinking I could do with a Sti check after thinking about all of this.

I felt like I was seriously doing the pick me dance yesterday and still he wouldn't. But Im feeling today I won't contact him at all.

Oh and yes the house was never clean enough, tidy enough. I wasn't appreciating things he does like making breakfast every day for the kids. Or cooking us dinner. Or occasionally taking the kids to school. I thought he was doing it be nice and help me as I've had a few stressful months with the kids behaviour.

I do feel like I am quite good at tuning into how people are feeling. And with him I've known him so many years,grew up together. I really know him. Or so I thought. My sister thinks I need to get angry. I don't think I'm quite there yet,maybe once the shock fades.

OP posts:
Cleensheetsandbedding · 17/01/2016 10:18

Morning op.

I'd be wondering where the first lot of viagra went.

All you can do at this moment is start protecting yourself emotionally and financially. You will absolutely get through this I have no doubt because you have endured years of bullshit of this guy when many other would have walked but you stuck around because you thought it was his illness.
Time to start looking after you now. You might find that if you go completly silent he may start trying to contact you to reel you back in.

In you tube there are some great meditation vids that can take your mind of things if your anxiety gets too much, head phones in, turn it up. Works for me!

Stay on here for support, good luck for today, stand firm X

berrycloud · 17/01/2016 11:28

Morning.
I did find the first lot of Viagra. It was taken out of the packets and in a little box in his work bag. I can't find the work bag. There were the same abount of tablets as the prescription said. They were in there for a few days. But I haven't checked since then. I looked last night for the doctor packet that was in his clothes drawer and that has gone. I think it was last there around Christmas cos I said at the time it wasn't well hidden and I was worried the kids could find it but he didn't seemed bothered. But I had a search through drawers and cupboards and can't find anything. Checked receipts but no info.
IVe checked computer again and no new messages etc.

I've not contacted him. And he's not contacted me or even the kids. Charming!!

I keep swinging between wanting to goto the family party or just stay at home and cry and try and nap.

My middle kids caught me crying this morning when I spoke to my mum. She keeps asking what's wrong and I don't know what to say. Think I will have to say something to older ones as I'm a right mess. Maybe something like me and Dad are having a bit of a break from each other. He didn't want me to tell the kids but I'm the one dealing with all this.

I will try the youtube meditation later it sounds a really good idea. I just need to calm down even a bit.

OP posts:
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