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Relationships

Emotional affair with his ex girlfriend? (And work colleague)

81 replies

Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 12:58

There is so much to read, so sorry in advance..

So I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years and we have always had a great relationship, we also live together. I have no reason to believe he would physically cheat on me, however his ex girlfriend has now begun working with him in the same department (they have always worked at the same company but just different departments). Although they work together they dont actually work physically with each other. They are IT guys and work in separate places but communicate online/by phone to help each other with problems etc. So recently they have had to communicate with each other, which is fine! But now its starting to overstep the line (in my opinion).
I have noticed he talks to her in the evenings because I have caught him shutting down whatsapp when i look over his shoulder and I've also seen that he talks to her on weekends (because I looked at his phone yesterday..but I'll get to that in a minute).
He has always said to me that they only talk about work which would be fine! But he has been lying about that part for sure. I know this because he told me that she was thinking about breaking up with her own bf (which she has now done) and that kind of stuff is not work based, is it?
Its also worrying because she quite clearly wants him back. I know this, for one, the bf has told me she has voiced how she regrets she ruined their relationship. Secondly, she doesn't even want me to exist! She doesn't even know me but she has blocked me on every single social media site possible! Haha!
I have quite clearly voiced my concerns to him before.. that he continues to message her loads and is giving her the attention she wants (leading her on as well as upsetting me), and he got really angry that I brought it up! Although he did seem to be understanding in the end.
Now the reason I'm worrying more-so now is because a month back or so, I was using his phone for some reason and his step dad messaged and he asked me to message him back cause he was driving. Now usually I can see her name pop up on whatsapp because they talk every day, but this time...the messages had gone! He had archived the chat! I spoke to him about this and he said he deleted messages because they were talking about things "i wouldnt have liked"....what!? So since then I have been unusually paranoid and have even gone to the extent of checking his phone last night. I am not proud of this, this isn't something I would usually do. But I did it.
Anyway, I noticed that messages had been flowing through evenings and weekends! They aren't romantic messages but very friendly. I spent all day with him Saturday, even took him on a date night, and I find they were messaging the whole day!!?? If it was pure friendship he would surely mention what a lovely day he was having with me...but nothing, just all about them two. It also must have been very secretive because I didnt even see him use his phone during the day, so must have been quickly messaging when my back was turned! I even noticed he had sent a selfie of him a few days ago, showing off his newly grown beard (which she was very complimentary of). So yeah, definitely just a working relationship then.
Now I know I need to confront him about this, but I am hugely in the wrong for looking at his phone in the first place!? What do I do!?
I know I cant be angry about a friendship.. but since I know they started as friends before they got together last time, how do I know he wont go back there! I'm starting to lose trust because of all the secretiveness. I 100% know he is not having physical affair but surely he is the crossing the line of an emotional affair? He hardly talks to me about his day anymore because he is putting all of his energy into talking to her all the time! Help me! I need advice and opinions.

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 17:07

Yeah, look, I know I've been rude about her and nothing excuses that..but I'm sure we've all being rude about someone we don't like. Especially since I view her as the main reason why my relationship has gone downhill. Her appearance isn't the pinpoint of my problem so lets just move past this.

I don't need kicking while I'm down. Its feels shit as it is knowing I'm not fulfilling his emotional needs.

yeah Raisedbyguineapigs, I bet she wouldnt like him if she knew the awful things he has said about her. I have to say something to night. I'm so nervous, I've never been this deep into a relationship before.

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 17:10

But why do you even want to be with someone who talks about women like he talks about her ? Is it ok because she is his ex and you "hate" her ? You have aligned yourself so much with this inadequate misogynist you are even joining in with it. Get a hold of yourself, seriously The person to blame here is your slimy boyfriend.

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 17:15

AnyFucker, you are so right. I didn't even realise. I think I've been putting all of my anger which should have been towards my boyfriend, on to her.
Damn this cant continue can it? :(

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 17:29

Only if you want to continue making a dick of yourself.

Don't let a man bring you down like this

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Gemini69 · 05/12/2017 17:37

I agree with everyone who says He's Loving the fact she desperately wants him back... how would he feel if you started chatting every day and every night to your Ex Boyfriend who desperately wants you back...

see how what he thinks about that...

he's a Creep by the way....

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TurnipCake · 05/12/2017 17:39

You do realise the way he talks about her, is the way that he'll talk about you to other women one day?

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 17:41

Op is different, see. She is much better looking than the gross ex girlfriend. Her gobshite boyfriend said so, so it must be true.

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Cricrichan · 05/12/2017 17:44

Yes. Any man who said a previous girlfriend (or anyone) looked gross would make me leave him.

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Guiltypleasures001 · 05/12/2017 17:50

The ex couldn't have been that gross if he was sleeping with her

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 17:53

Yeah i know, he's totally loving all this. What a knobhead. Can't believe, he's had me on for this long!

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yetmorecrap · 05/12/2017 18:02

leaving aside the 'gross' comment which was a bit off OP (but I think you know that now yourself) I wouldnt feel embarrased about admitting to snooping. His behaviour is bang out of order and has left you feeling insecure and he hasnt corrected that== I think when you have given up plenty to make a life with him, you have every right to snoop if he hasnt corrected the situation and put your mind at ease. Many on here wish they had snooped far earlier than they actually did.

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 18:14

I'm on your side, believe it or not

I would feel absolutely no shred of guilt nor take one iota of backchat for "snooping". Sometimes the end really does justify the means.

Get rid of this dick before you end up just like him.

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CardinalCat · 05/12/2017 18:15

He's a man who seems adept at disrespecting women in his life who are supposed to be important to him, he did it to her then. by being so shallow and two faced regarding her appearance and his "shame") And he's doing it to you now, by disrespecting you, your relationship, and even your existence.

You say you thought he was a gentleman and caring- on what planet are you living? This is not a good person. This is a shallow and insecure man who doesn't know what he wants. Get the hell away from him, and maybe while you lick your wounds and ponder what went wrong, you'll realise that a man who slags off his ex on the grounds of her appearance, and yet STILL prefers that ex to you, probably isn't worth the hassle.

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Ellisandra · 05/12/2017 18:18

She's not the main reason why things have gone down hill.
He is.

And I wouldn't be so quick to point to her as a (gross) boyfriend stealing bitch either.

You know I'm flirting with her, he'll have been telling her lame arse crap about how you're not the one for him, right? I very much doubt she's just some ugly bitch making a play for him - she will think your relationship is already almost done anyway.

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annielouise · 05/12/2017 18:29

He's no catch. He cheated on her with you - you say he left her for you so there was some overlap. Presumably you knew about her and it didn't stop you so she owes you nothing. If he's saying these things about her, he'll be saying things to her about you - or soon will be.

Who cares about the snooping. You felt something was wrong, dug into it and found out what you did. The problem is as you say he'll be more careful now. Can this relationship last after the beginning it's had? Is it really worth it?

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annielouise · 05/12/2017 18:31

He's told you she's 'gross' to shut you up. He wouldn't have gone out with her if he thought that. And if he does like her personality but was embarrassed about her looks he's a very shallow person. She deserves better.

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Ellisandra · 05/12/2017 18:44

You know how she blocked you on social media? (and btw Hmm to your "haha" at that)

I would bet real money that was he told her that you don't like her, and their friendship and that you're a bit psycho / jealous. Remember how he had to delete messages because you wouldn't understand? Hmm

She's had to block you, because you're a jealous stalky girlfriend who isn't chill with his friendships. See how he sets her up as being the cool understanding one there, and you the mad one? And to be fair, you can only know you're blocked if you're looking.

He's utter scum pissing you both about.

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 18:58

Damn CardinalCat, you are so right! the fact he is so rude about her and then actually prefers is so shitty!
Annielouise, I actually had no idea about her. According to him, he knew of me and we got chatting (nothing untoward), he dumped her and then met up with me for a date a week later. But he only told me this one year later cause I asked how quick it was between me and the ex.
Of course he has invited a friend over tonight..just got to sight tight tonight until his mate leaves.

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 19:01

Tell his mate to leave, you have some relationship stuff to sort out. Watch him scuttle off.

Stop being so bloody wet.

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 19:04

Fuck it, I'll just make a remark in front of his mate, seeing as he is so embarrassed about being associated with her.
I'm joking.
I think.

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waterrat · 05/12/2017 19:05

Please dont apologise to him for snooping.

You didnt trust him and ..you were absolutely correct not to because he is carrying on a secret relationship with his ex under your nose.

I dont know why you care what hr thinks about you snooping when you just need to walk away from him. His opinion of you no longer matters.

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ElephantsandTigers · 05/12/2017 19:07

That's playing immature games there.

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Anxiety100 · 05/12/2017 19:09

I know ElephantsandTigers, I was just joking. That style is way too immature.

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AnyFucker · 05/12/2017 20:06

Are you still sitting there fuming while he has a laugh with his mate ?

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MyDarlingWhatIfYouFly · 05/12/2017 20:22

My ex slated his ex for being "fat", "lardy" etc. I ditched him because he was vile, but turns out he was still fucking her. Pathetic.

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