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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

Infidelity support thread for the betrayed party

999 replies

ppandj · 25/08/2017 16:47

I recently found out about my partner's affair, which occurred while I was pregnant and had a newborn (plus a toddler). My partner's behaviour was vile to me for a long time (turns out it was part of the guilt of the affair) and I had been considering ending our relationship anyway. Then I found out about the infidelity and our world has come crashing down, we are both devastated and my partner has had a wake up call- all the illusion of his affair has been shattered and he realises what he jeopardised when he made those choices. I have not yet decided what to do long term; whether we stay together depends largely on him and whether he can have a good look at himself and learn his lessons, but also I need to build my self-esteem and think about what I actually want.

Since I found out I have been on MN (more than usual Wink) and have read some old threads where the betrayed spouses were supporting eachother. I have also seen that there are many coping with this shitty experience currently posting. So I thought maybe we can have a thread to know that we aren't alone.

OP posts:
Brokenlife · 18/01/2018 19:43

CTC he was never jealous before. In fact we had a good laugh (which now is making me angry) about a guy at work who was after me and I had to put pictures of my family on my desk to push him away (yup all that time my H, even though he was given a full on example of how to deal with it, come home and tell your spouse somebody is "courting" you, take measures to push them away, he was getting involved with someone else). Jokes on me I guess.

And now he switched from "if you need to cheat on me to get over this" at the beginning to "if you would do this I'd leave you".

How do I feel about it? Not sure. Frankly I know a revenge affair would be the final nail in the coffin. But providing that someone makes me lose my mind now (well once I am in a better place) and my H is not fulfilling my emotional needs than I will be honest: I have no clue what my reason to say no would be. By then though I would hope that either we separate or we have a solid enough relationship and he's able to fill in the emotional gap.

I am younger and better looking than my H. Fact. So now I guess he'll have to work out for himself how to deal with his insecurities. I don't plan to cheat, the only situation in which I see it happening is if we reach some sort of stage where we both detach to such extent that we live separate lives. In which case I would divorce.

CTC6664 · 18/01/2018 20:20

What’s your gut feeling on this brokenlife? What’s keeping you there? There is a lot of me in your posts and it brings back a lot of the memories from that time.

Brokenlife · 18/01/2018 20:43

CTC the honest answer is I don't know. The memory of the happy marriage we had, my kids being heartbroken, still having some love left I guess. I am reading Women who love too much, I wonder if there is something in me making me a martyr/victim, having a desire to show that I can save everything.

I can see you're separated/divorced how long ago was it and how are you now? Sorry, I hope story isn't triggering you.

Brokenpromises · 18/01/2018 22:27

I am only 3 weeks into finding out, and to think I may still be feeling like this in two years , kill me now!

CTC6664 · 18/01/2018 22:44

It was a few years ago now but I went through every emotion you are feeling. When I look back though, my marriage wasn’t actually that good. How can it have been anyway if he was happy to gamble it all on a whim and sexual attraction? I thought I was happily married but I was easily pleased. Just him being there and sharing the odd takeaway and watching the odd film together made me think I was happy. However, there were lots of things looking back that I wasn’t happy with and it wasn’t actually a great relationship. I, like many women, had just built up a picture of what a happy marriage was and sold myself short.

I couldn’t live a lie to myself though in the end. I couldn’t trust him again. The love I had slowly died and I knew it was over 12 months or so before the final nail in the coffin. I just wasn’t ready to admit it before then or deal with the shitstorm.

ConstantStruggler · 18/01/2018 23:00

My two cents in this - and I think I have said similar before upthread- is that the best way through this is your own way. Many friends and family members alike will try and tell you their view, what you should be doing, feeling, eating, avoiding, etc. The problem is: your situation is yours and yours only. It will be unique. No-one can tell you how to feel. There is no recipe. There is no guideline. There is no timeline (please hang in there broken promises. I'm 10 months in and still struggling occasionally but definitely not constantly Grin) Of course there are many similarities with my story, with OPS' story. We've all been cheated on. It hurts. It hurts badly. But talk to friends, have IC, take on board what you can use and ditch the rest including the h/p if that makes you feel better. It will all help to shape a picture of what it is that YOU want. That is all that matters!

Brokenlife · 19/01/2018 13:06

CTC that's what I see in me, I was so easily pleased before and I now realise it was because I thought if I give him an easy simple life that's what would make him happy which in turn would make me happy.

He now wants that simple life back but for me it isn't enough anymore to a certain extent. I am mourning my marriage because I was happy. But my happiness was tied to his and now I am discovering myself as an individual and it doesn't feel enough anymore. But here is the problem: I don't know what is enough.

He does stuff different than before, for example he now sleeps wrapped around me all night while in the past we would get into bed, cuddle a bit and then he would turn around and I would cuddle him. I come home and he hugs me (not in the past) sometimes he sits me down and takes my shoes off. We don't watch tv anymore, we talk unfortunately mostly about the affair (not the details anymore but about the way we feel).

But it feels... not enough. I know I am impatient, not even 4 months since I found out. But I am worried of all the resentment that is building up. I don't seem to be able to process all the nice stuff he does, like this morning he called me after dropping dd to school and at the end he went quiet and then said: "I saw somebody on a bike and I thought it was X's dad (friend of dd that moved area in 2016 and moved schools)." He then went quiet and after a bit said: "it reminded me of the days when everything was so good in our lives, we were so happy, I feel sad..."

So he had a trigger (welcome to my world). And while all he said softened my heart I then went back to my anxieties, my anger, my tearful self.

And I don't seem to remember, properly process the good things like when he says he loves me, when he cuddles me, when he cries for me and what he's done, all I remember are the frustrating moments such as me waking up this morning and feeling the need of him hugging me and telling me how much he loves me and wants this to work out, how he can't live without me. Well he said all this last night. But by the morning I needed to hear it again and he can't read my mind, when I got out of bed to go to work he just turned on the other side and fell back asleep (he starts later than me).

I feel the same like brokenpromises, I can't feel this way in 2 years' time I am so exhausted all the time... I am close to 4 months (next week) and I thought I would be so much better by now. And my mood swings are so exhausting, feeling hopeful, then hopeless, then anxious thinking they are still in touch...

ConstantStruggler you are right but it is so hard... I am having days when I think "f..ck this, I want out" and days when I remember how good we used to be and thinking it is worth it. But how long is this worth it for? I guess I'll know when enough is enough...

YearOfYouRemember · 19/01/2018 13:16

Sometimes it's hard to remember we are all different and how we feel is fine. I wince when people state as fact that once a cheat, always a cheat, or the marriage must have been shit or cheating wouldn't have happened. While I was certain dh wouldn't cheat, and I thought I would if anyone did, he did and I have to hope he won't do it again. I don't think he will but I'd never say I'm sure. Been there. Got the broken heart. He didn't cheat because our marriage was shit so it's fixable as the issue why is resolved so that gives hope. As for me and being a cheat. Ex in a hotel room, was love of my life, still think he's hot. Didn't do it. People don't always act as you think they, and you, would.

I'm more worried about once the kids have left home as there's a bit of resentment towards dh. More so as he's cheated and I'm less likely to tolerate certain behaviours. I can't change what that issue is so I have to try and move on regarding that.

Brokenpromises · 19/01/2018 18:41

I moved out fully today. I have told my teenage kids if they need me, to call and I will be there, but I cannot and will not go to the house anymore, every time I walk in I feel sick, thinking about what they did in my/our home, The last time was November. I had been going back daily to clean, do the washing and cook a meal then get ready for work. Every time I am there I die a bit more inside, How could he have done it our home????? He has taken everything from me, My home, My kids, My life. I am terrified of the future, of been alone, but I know what he did was unforgivable.

Brokenpromises · 19/01/2018 20:32

Sitting her tonight alone in my aunt's house , I feel like ending it all, I just cant take the pain anymore......... He has his home comforts, the kids for company, I have nothing left.

Castadrift · 19/01/2018 20:45

Broken promises please, stay strong! Is there someone u can call????

YearOfYouRemember · 19/01/2018 20:52

Please don't end your life. We understand that pain. Most of us have probably wished for the end to come as well but you can't. Your kids need you. Don't let the prick get the easy deal. Talk to us.

Brokenpromises · 19/01/2018 21:09

I'm going to call Samaritans,

Brokenpromises · 19/01/2018 21:14

I cant afford to pay the bills on the house on my part-time income, and take care of my kids, Also finding out he fucked her in my bed and living room, really messed with my head, so i moved out. She was in my house in November , feel like it has just pushed me over the edge, today and cant see any hope for us, Its all just to much

Mammysin · 19/01/2018 21:17

Please contact Samaritans Brokenpromises, you will not always feel like this I promise. ( I have been suicidal) Please, please you will feel better 💐

Brokenlife · 19/01/2018 22:01

Brokenpromises we're here for you. Please don't do anything stupid, no man is worth that. Find your feet and the kids will follow you. Don't think of tomorrow just of now and how you can take another step towards healing. Hugs

Mammysin · 19/01/2018 22:21

Please talk to us Brokenpromises.

Brokenlife · 20/01/2018 11:34

How are you today brokenpromises? Thinking of you.

Brokenpromises · 20/01/2018 15:21

I'm Ok, I have been really calm since finding out, just really really upset, but I lost it today, I smashed things I destroyed the bed, I couldn't stop, I never lose my temper ever! Last night was the lowest point of my life, I have never felt such despair, and today such angry, how can you feel so much pain, sadness and rage all at the same time??? I know I will never be the same again.

YearOfYouRemember · 20/01/2018 15:24

You won't be the same again but it doesn't mean things will always be this difficult. We are here for you. currently want to punch my h so I get it.

Brokenlife · 20/01/2018 17:03

Brokenpromises I can promise you it gets easier. Yes you'll never be the same again, it will be there at the back of your mind always for the weeks and months to come but at 4 months out I can have some normal days with my H. Not saying you have to reconcile, I am trying but I don't know if it will work, what I am saying is that it does get easier when you somehow accept this is your new reality and it doesn't hurt you so much.

Just to give you some optimism I am now seriously upset 2-3 times a day for a few minutes but then I remember what a great person I am, loyal, still beautiful, capable of enjoying my kids, my job, I discovered how many people love me and support me in all this which was amazing for me it must mean that I am worth something for other people, and I take it day by day and I can see strength coming through every day. It is all about me now and frankly I came to accept that if it works out fine, if not I will land on my feet and life is worth living when you start seeing yourself as an individual rather than as part of "us".

It is early days, hang in there and I promise you it will get better.

yetmorecrap · 20/01/2018 17:51

I totally agree Brokenlife, very well put. This is my second marriage and I remember when first one ended, (my choice) it felt like the world had ended, it didn't!! It just changed and it made me aware that it can change in some weird but positive ways that tend to be closed to you when married , in my case life became a lot more varied for one thing.

yetmorecrap · 20/01/2018 17:51

I totally agree Brokenlife, very well put. This is my second marriage and I remember when first one ended, (my choice) it felt like the world had ended, it didn't!! It just changed and it made me aware that it can change in some weird but positive ways that tend to be closed to you when married , in my case life became a lot more varied for one thing.

YearOfYouRemember · 20/01/2018 17:56

So, if I ask will I always feel the pain and have it hit me hard at times, you'd say no?

Brokenlife · 20/01/2018 18:39

YearsofYou I can't remember how far out you are. All I can say is that today took me by surprise. I did have the pain hit me a few times but so much less than expected and I actually had a very good day with my H.

In fact at one point he asked me if I was happy. Hmm I said to him that happiness is a strange concept now but I felt normal for quite a few hours today. In fact I would say 10% of the day rubbish and (up till now) 90% good. It probably is because he's under my eyes so I don't feel anxious, but also because I have this feeling that I am worth so much more than all this pain and I don't want to waste my life like this.

Mind you, this is a rollercoaster of emotions so I don't expect this to become permanent, no doubt I'll go mental again in a few days but for now on I feel normal and it feels so good. And it is about me. I don't know how to explain it, I don't feel normal in relation to our relationship but normal no matter what. If he would pack his bags now and leave I would feel normal. (No doubt it would hit me tomorrow).

So hang in there all, it feels good when you realise the pain is gone even for a few hours, hopefully the hours will increase to days and then weeks.

Counselling helps a lot. Individual, so I can pour my heart out and hear some opinions on how to move on. A lot.

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