Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Just devastated by DHs betrayal. Need a hand hold

337 replies

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 26/07/2017 20:29

Ten whole days have passed since my whole world disintegrated and I think it would be therapeutic to get it all out. I really need support though so please don't kick me when I am down. I know I have been naive and feel stupid enough already.

Ten days ago we went to the zoo. We had a lovely day with our kids. Took them to pizza express afterwards and was generally a really lovely family day. In the evening we watched a film but he didn't sit next to me as he said he was buying motorbike stuff online. All was fine until he had a few too many drinks and was snarly about our friends we were going on holiday with. Before bed I posted on mumsnet about that particular issue and was mildly amused to see all the responses saying he was clearly having an affair with her. When I got up that morning he was distracted with the kids and I picked up his phone to see what had been going on with holiday friend. Not seeing any justification for his venom towards friend I was about to give it back when it occurred to me that there was no thread with a girl he usually messaged.
Not really knowing how to work an iPhone I happened to swipe up and ended up in archived chats where Her name was front and centre with messages the day before. When I opened it and saw that he had been sending her photos of my children the day before while at the zoo as a family and in the evening watching a film with meSad

Once he realised I was onto something he chased me around the garden, tried to physically tackle me to get his phone back and only when our three year old came into the room did I escape with his phone and drove to a friends house wearing nothing but a nightie to get a chance to properly look at what I had glimpsed.

And what I confirmed was everyone's worse fears. I later realised the messages only went back three weeks but in that time he had messaged her 5000 times. He had sent her

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 29/07/2017 21:57

4Square No, the affair partner is not the friend. Read the other thread again.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 29/07/2017 22:06

Job interview! Congrats OP. Onwards and upwards.

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 30/07/2017 12:17

4square no it wasn't my friend that he was having the affair with, it was another colleague of them both

OP posts:
Bedraggledmumoftwo · 30/07/2017 12:22

It's his birthday today. Feel a bit bad because he invited me to lunch with the kids and his parents but I said no as I have more job applications to do and an interview to prepare for. Plus I think it would be massively uncomfortable playing happy families with the in laws when the proverbial elephant is not only in the room but sitting right there

Haven't had to wear work clothes for a few years and have a feeling they may be in the loft so have plenty to do

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 30/07/2017 12:58

Don't feel bad about not going to lunch. This is what he chose by having an affair. He has to deal with it and you need to get on with the applications.

It's all fun and games when people have affairs, until it blows up in their face and becomes reality.

Then they wonder if it was worth it.

You keep focusing on getting a job and your DC.

OverOn · 30/07/2017 13:17

Well done in getting an interview!

There's absolutely no reason to feel bad about not going to lunch today. It isn't appropriate to sit across from the person who betrayed your trust and pretend that all is fine. DC pick up on mood and undercurrent ms of tension, no matter how much of a good face you put on it.

You will work out the joint parenting, especially as it sounds you both have supportive families to help navigate through this. You will look back and be glad you're not tied to someone who didn't value you for being fabulous you. His laughing with his ow about how gullible you were to go for a weekend away so he could have a hot date behind your back - just sums up how much respect he has for you.

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 30/07/2017 15:52

Turns out I have lost more weight than I realised as my best suit that used to be too tight is hanging off me so might need to drag the kids round the shops tomorrow!

At least I don't need to be on a diet for a change!

OP posts:
Bedraggledmumoftwo · 30/07/2017 15:55

Probably hood to get something new anyway- haven't had a job interview for seven years and I have no idea what the current trends are.

OP posts:
gingergenius · 31/07/2017 13:53

Ah yes! The misery diet! Went on that last year!!! Good luck OP X

hellsbellsmelons · 31/07/2017 16:53

Definitely get yourself a new outfit for the interview.
Well done and I hope it goes well.
Don't get your hopes up to high.
Get in there. Ask loads of questions, be yourself!

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 01/08/2017 13:15

Interview went OK I guess but the way my luck is going I won't hold out too much hope.
Went to bed early to get a good night's sleep, which is not easy at the moment. Dd1 woke me at 1am shouting the house down as she had a bad dream. Then about 2am dd2 came in and couldn't sleep because her sister had disturbed her. Then they took it in turns after that! Got up with grand plans to prepare for interview then dd1 started puking! So I was mopping up sick and dettolling in my dressing gown instead of swotting. Sent her to in laws with a sick bowl and made it to interview on time but without the chance to revise!

Now sitting by the side of motorway with a puncture.

You just couldn't make this shit up. Between the adultery and the broken foot and now today I am wondering if that mirror I broke a few weeks ago really is affecting my luck!

OP posts:
Timefortea99 · 01/08/2017 13:30

You are having some shitty luck and situations thrown at you right now, but when I go through a shitty time my mantra is, it will pass, and it always does. You will still have the broken relationship but it won't matter so much, and then not at all.

A few months back I chopped into my finger with a very sharp knife. I had a flap but did not go for stitches. I kept putting those faster healing plasters on it. My DH kept saying, you should have had it stitched, it will leave a big scar. I looked at my finger this morning and realised that you can barely see where I did it. My point? Time heals all things, the physical and the emotional, it really does.

This has only just happened to you, you are feeling raw, like several layers of skin have been removed. But your vulnerability will pass. You have been so strong already, you are grieving for a man you never really knew. Use the misery to put yourself and your DC in a better place. It is totally his loss.

gingergenius · 01/08/2017 13:46

Oh @Bedraggledmumoftwo I could weep on your behalf! Sorry life's chucking so many shit balks at the moment x

Huskylover1 · 01/08/2017 14:05

FINANCES:

Sorry for what has happened. I went through similar and I wanted to mention to you some financial info (that I was unaware of, until it came to separation)

  1. You are entitled to half his pension. In cash. (Normally from house sale proceeds)
  1. Photocopy his latest wage slips. (My ExH convinced the CMS that his salary had halved over an 8 year period, when, in fact, it had doubled). Get a claim in with CMS now.
  1. Child Benefit is paid to the mother.
  1. Only one adult in the home = 25% reduction in Council Tax.
  1. Because your career took a back seat, in order for you to care for the children, you will be entitled to extra money from the sale of family home. This is called Economic Recompense.

Getting a good solicitor to draw up a Separation Agreement, may well cost you £1500, but it will be worth it's weight in gold.

Sadly, this is all too common. I don't know any men who haven't cheated post having kids. Not one. It's like the domesticity just kills the romance or something.

I've been through the same as you (multiple OW actually). It took me 4 years to leave. He was my first BF, so it was scary! It gets better. Time is a healer. I met a lovely man and he is now my DH. You WILL move on from this. It's very, very raw right now. Flowers

SandyY2K · 01/08/2017 14:10

Aaahh the weight loss... Otherwise known as the 'infidelity diet' .

I'm routing for you with the interview.

Walkingtowork · 01/08/2017 14:22

Sorry Bedraggled I actually burst out laughing at the puking and the puncture! You really couldn't make it up!

I'm staggered at the strength you're showing. I'm 7 months down the line from you and still in quite a state. I couldn't imagine holding it together for an interview. You're actually quite an inspiration.

Bedraggledmumoftwo · 01/08/2017 17:33

It actually got worse- while sitting on a tree branch by the side of the motorway waiting for the aa I got literally ants in my pants and ended up with really painful stings/bites on my bum!

However, interviewer just rang and offered me the job so perhaps my luck is changing....Smile

OP posts:
PsychedelicSheep · 01/08/2017 17:37

Amazing! Well done you Smile Flowers

Butterandsugar · 01/08/2017 18:28

Congrats on the new job! 😀

gingergenius · 01/08/2017 18:47

Yay for @Bedraggledmumoftwo! WineWineWineWine

SandyY2K · 01/08/2017 18:56

interviewer just rang and offered me the job so perhaps my luck is changing...

You rock.

Congratulations and well done.

Groovee · 01/08/2017 19:22

Fab news on the job x

Butterymuffin · 01/08/2017 19:30

Congrats! New doors are opening.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 01/08/2017 19:31

Well done!

SpartacusSaiman · 01/08/2017 20:02

Well done OP!!!!