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Relationships

When you realise you're the OW, do you tell his wife? Feel like I'm drowning in guilt

140 replies

lightofthrees · 02/10/2016 15:27

Dating a man for 10 months.

He's been to my house, and I to his house. He lived in the annex. His reason for starting in the house was for the kids who are nearly both at university. He said they'd sell the house after that.

He came to my house mostly but the times I was at his, there was nothing in the house to suggest they were together.

It all came to a head when I said I wanted us to be official. That meant meeting his kids, his stbxw etc. He said he couldn't because it would rock the boat before the kids leave for uni.

Pretty much that second I suddenly thought there's something not right here. I ended it the same day. He messaged a few times but we've not spoken properly.

The reason I never saw his stbxw was that he said they had an arrangement that they wouldn't do introductions to new people until the kids had left. It sounds crazy that I believed that now. I'm embarrassed. But honestly nothing made me question it. He now tells me that there was no arrangement that they could see other people, and although they have separated and he lives in the annex, and they are splitting finances, he now says to say he had met someone new would create huge drama. Obviously that sounds like utter shit to me.

It was the best relationship (if I can call it that looking back) I ever had. I can't believe it really. And now I'm also feeling so guilty. In no way do I want to be with this man after this, but should I face up to this and tell his wife? It's NOT for my benefit aside from wanting to get rid of the guilt a bit I suppose.

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EmeraldIsle100 · 06/10/2016 05:55

I think you have had a lucky escape. He doesn't sound like a very nice person. Having a very bad temper is a red flag. He sounds like a control freak and you deserve whole lot better. I would say his wife and DC have put up with helll of a lot and would be only too glad to see the back of him. I wouldn't bother telling her.

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tipsytrifle · 05/10/2016 23:39

For what it's worth (and it isn't really worth a lot of self-tormenting acrobatics) I agree with GloriaGaynor

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GloriaGaynor · 05/10/2016 23:29

Not only do I not think this is about the kids, I don't believe it's about his wife either. All the evidence indicates she wants him gone. He's just using her as an excuse to maintain the status quo.

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Cary2012 · 03/10/2016 17:16

OP I think it's more that he wants the marriage to work,as I suggested upthread, Anyway, stop trying to analyse it, because he's not for you. Ignore him from now on, glue yourself to your Kindle/phone at the station, it'll soon pass.

Good luck finding someone worthy of you. Reaching for the stars is better than laying in the gutter and all that...

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 17:10

This isn't research... It's just my shit life right now. But yes, I can see the complications with sharing. I didn't really think about it, just let her do a thread.

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Cabrinha · 03/10/2016 17:09

I didn't think it was trolling for attention, but it's not unusual for people to do some novel research here. I'd recommend in future that you don't share a username - that said I ain't the thread police Grin
But it is confusing when you remember a username and it doesn't fit (I remembered yours as I wondered what it was a reference to).

Anyway... as I said upthread - I think you've done well to extricate yourself from him.

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 17:06

This isn't a troll thread if that's what you're wondering. I wish it was.

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Cabrinha · 03/10/2016 17:03

That's really odd, creating a new username and sharing it.

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:51

(Old as in ex sister in law... She's not old!!...)

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:50

Cabrinha, my last thread was my (old) sister in law, separated from my god awful brother. She was staying with me at the time. (I haven't read all of that thread though... )

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:48

Just to clarify... She's not an alcoholic as far as I'm aware!! It was just a comment he made once about her in passing. I don't think it's literally true. She has a good job and is a good mother by all accounts.

Handywoman I think I'm just shocked at his attitude. It's so... Pathetic I think? I don't even know what to say to him. He kept saying that he understood why I didn't believe him but please believe him, every word is true etc. To which I said if it's true then she won't mind you being honest, and it's actually fairer on her! I do get the war zone fear he has. But if I mattered enough he would deal with it and shield his child as much as possible, and live in the house still (it's a big house), and work through it. That's if his wife even thinks anything is wrong. Last week apparently she suggested him moving out?!? If she's said that and he's scared of telling her he's seeing someone... How does that make sense? It doesn't does it.

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Cabrinha · 03/10/2016 16:45

Trains are fine: different carriage and you may as well be on a different train.

Are you sharing a log on with a flatemate? Your last thread was all about being lonely single and all the first dates you haven't followed up...

This one sounds like a loser though - well done getting rid!

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HandyWoman · 03/10/2016 16:41

He's gonna play the 'think of my kids' card to get you to feel either guilty or sympathetic to get back to the status quo. He thinks he can ignore or pursuade you into resuming this secret charade with him.

He's 100% deluded about the situation (probably projecting his own guilt about his kids) and you won't change him a jot. Ever.

And he wants you to feel sorry for him 'I'm upset and miss you ' well bollox to that. You're a more healthy person, emotionally than he is.

He isn't equal to the task of a relationship with you.

You are rejecting him. I admire you, OP, for seeing it for what it is. More power to your elbow.

You are now free to find a relationship with a more healthy individual.

Hard as it is, I salute you. Hurray for you!

Flowers

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Kr1stina · 03/10/2016 16:40

Its nothing to do with his kids. If he cared at all about them, why has he moved out into the annex leaving them to be raised by an alcoholic ?

Any decent person would take their kids out of that environment

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:29

Just wanted honesty and openness...!

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:29

Handywoman... I said earlier (messaging) that his fake life was more important that me and him.

He said that wasn't fair because he had to think of his kids.

I said it's got nothing to do with your kids, just be honest with your wife so we don't have to be secret for the next however long. He said he couldn't because it would become a war zone.

Then I'm made to feel bad about not thinking of the kids. I can't win, doesn't matter how reasonable I am or how flexible.

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 16:24

I know I need to cut contact. It's hard because we literally get the same train and it's the same walk to the same building. Just luckily not the same company. Small blessing!!

The posters asking if I can get a different train... I can't, unless I leave at 4.50am, which I don't particularly fancy as a long term solution!

I feel so rubbish today. Regardless of whether he was lying, he's clearly didn't care that much. He had the nerve to email me a link to a news article earlier too..... An in joke we had. As if I would be feeling in a jokey mood??! Dreading leaving work.

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EachandEveryone · 03/10/2016 16:01

How often are the trains?

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HandyWoman · 03/10/2016 15:58

Oh OP. If you're honest with yourself you were wanting to connect in that communication over the key.

It's not petty, not at all, but it is understandable after the painful experience of being blanked earlier.

This whole charade he is living is non negotiable. It's all more important to him than you.

I think going no contact (and blanking him back) is the way forward. Put the key in the post. Hold onto that anger.

Tell him you won't be communicating with him again and delete his details on your phone.

Let him miss you. Tough shit.

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lightofthrees · 03/10/2016 15:15

Saw him this morning and he completely blanked me. As if I didn't exist.

I stupidly messaged him to say I would bring his spare car key tomorrow morning for him - he replied saying he missed me and didn't know what to say but he was very upset. I replied saying I was upset too but I was finding it hard to trust him and feel very in the dark about everything.

He replied saying 'OK.'

He clearly couldn't give a fuck. I feel sick at work and just want to go home. Dreading the journey back as well as don't want to see him, but also feel really really cross. I hate how he is so fine with all this when he's completely messed with my head. (Petty I know, I shouldn't care what he's feeling or thinking).

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springydaffs · 03/10/2016 09:16

She's said things to him and doesn't make him happy.

She's an alcoholic (though he drinks a lot)

Hmm

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tipsytrifle · 03/10/2016 09:03

Yes, Piglet. Maybe this and that are possible, maybe there's a mutual impasse going on. Equally, maybe there are no financials or legalities on-going. Or maybe it's all about deceptive behaviour on the part of this man. Those are all arbitrary, parallel issues. I was simply supporting OP in her feeling that she should not be a secret and that what she has been led to believe isn't OK for her no matter what is actually going on with him.

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PigletWasPoohsFriend · 03/10/2016 08:46

Forgive me if I get my ponderings totally wrong. I'm wondering if he is refusing to leave the home or make any settlement or resolution towards ending his marriage at all.

Whilst going through financials you are advised not yo leave the marital home.

Maybe his wife is desperate for him to leave but he won't and for whatever legal reasons she cannot push it further.

Maybe she should leave? Children aren't young. Nothing to stop her. Maybe better for them if there is a question about alcoholism.

Truth is however no one but him and her know what is actually going on.

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GingerbreadLatteToGo · 03/10/2016 08:44

She has already said she lives in the arse end of nowhere and there's only one fast train.

☕️💐 Hope you've survived the trip in!

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EachandEveryone · 03/10/2016 08:38

Different train?

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