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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

Help! Unbelievable reaction from DH?

103 replies

WishfulWanderer · 08/03/2018 10:40

Been with DH 15 yrs. Eight years ago after a close family member died I felt very let down by him, he decided to take a month long trip with his pals, I was grief stricken, he didn't think there was anything wrong in leaving me alone. I had a friendly neighbour who was a listening ear, and Simone DH was familiar with. For a very brief period of a week I thought I'd developed feelings for this man, and became flirtatious towards him, then realised how wrong it was and stopped communicating with him. About 9 months later DH for unknown reason opened my old phone bills to discover I'd messaged the neighbour a lot in that week, but never again. He confronted me and I told the truth, he said he did not believe me and has ever since said he knows I slept with this man, which I did not. I was pregnant when he confronted me and he spent the rest of the pregnancy calling me a slag. He's brought it up many times over the years, and again now and it's 8 years on and has told me he will never believe me, claims he heard sex noises and laughter, which was mine, and also thinks I made an amateur porno with this guy and it's on the internet, though he's never produced it, but says he's seen it. I don't think I can stay married to someone who is not going to believe something so fundamental. I find his reaction unbelievable and don't think it helps us have a good relationship. He does not want a divorce just wants to carry on and try to forget about it.
I feel so tortured by it, it affects how I can be with him, I constantly find myself thinking this is a man who thinks I had sex with someone else and made a porno.
I have a job working with the public not even that helps him see I would never want to be in a porno.
It's weird I know.
What do you think?
Could you stay with someone who didn't believe you?
If he started believing you, would you stay? I think he might pretend he believes me in desperation but he wouldn't really, and I feel like the damage has been done by him accusing me and not believing me for 8 yrs.

OP posts:
Zaphodsotherhead · 08/03/2018 12:59

Keep on with the divorce proceedings. DO NOT believe anything he says from here on in - he will promise to stop 'accusing' you, he will say he will change, he will do ANYTHING...

of course he will. Words are easy. He won't change, because he can't and because there is literally nothing in it for him. He either really believes what he says (in which case why the hell would he want to stay with a woman he believes made a porno film with a neighbour???) or he doesn't (in which case he's a lying idiot).

Either way, you need to get out. It might not be easy but it will be a damn sight easier than not knowing when your alleged 'sordid past' will be brought up and wheeled out to beat you with.

Emmasmum2013 · 08/03/2018 12:59

OP I've just read over your other recent threads and I can categorically say that this man is a toxic abusive narcissist and you need to remove yourself and your children from him as fast as you can.
Emotional abuse is now illegal, have a look at this link for more info.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-psychological-abuse-law-a6789271.html

He will try to stop you when you do try to leave so be prepared for that.
He will probably swing between making you feel like shit for leaving - telling you you'll never find someone else, that you're ruining everyone's lives etc etc... its all lies.
OR he will start pretending to be upset and try to make you stay. Its all manipulation and lies. He will be back to his old ways in no time if you do stay.

If he tries to emotionally blackmail you one way or another, just remind him that emotional abuse is illegal. If he continues to harass and abuse you like this you will go to the police. And you will tell all his friends and family about how much of a total lunatic he is.

Most narcissists hate the idea of people knowing what they are really like behind closed doors and put on a good show to other people of being 'normal'.

Please get away from this man OP, you can do it. The feeling of freedom when you are independent and don't need to deal with his bullshit will be better than any relationship you've ever had.
PM me if you need any advice.

FizzyGreenWater · 08/03/2018 12:59

He does not believe for a moment that you were unfaithful. He's never seen a video, never heard noises - nothing. He know this.

What he is enjoying doing is torturing and punishing you - for, in his mind, doing something wrong - of turning elsewhere to get support when you needed it, instead of suffering in silence until he deigned to return. He did what he liked, as always - you were supposed to suck it up with absolutely no consequence to him. This one time, you took action and it turned out in a way that made him feel bad and uncomfortable. You had no right to do that, and you will be punished evermore for it.

I am glad you have started the divorce process. I suggest you reply to the gaslighting, threats and primoses with a simple 'Go away, I don't want to listen to you any more.'

ReanimatedSGB · 08/03/2018 13:03

It doesn't matter if he's had sex with anyone else or not. The issue is that he has got a weapon (this very, very mild flirtation you had 8 years ago) and has been gleefully using it to mistreat you and keep you 'in your place' for nearly a decade. I bet he was on the lookout for something he could use for quite some time. This is fairly classic abusive behaviour - to punish you endlessly for some minor fault.
Chuck the fucker out. Or, at least, see a solicitor, find out the best options (wrt who leaves the marital home etc) and get moving. You do not need his permission or his co-operation to end the marriage, and any abusive behaviour from him can be dealt with via court orders/blocking contact etc. Good luck.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/03/2018 13:08

I'm glad you've started divorce proceedings. You have to close your ears to him and stop listening to what he says.

He enjoys having you as a 'whipping boy'. He gaslights you and uses false information (that he's made up in his head) to manipulate you. You have GOT to get out.

He's either mentally ill and needs more help than you can possibly give, or he's conscienceless in which case there is nothing that will help him. Either way you've put up with it long enough.

bonnyshide · 08/03/2018 13:13

You are doing the right thing by divorcing him.

You post about him on here a lot, he is definitely abusive, get away from him ASAP.

Granville72 · 08/03/2018 13:13

Life is too short for this sort of crap. Live it and live it well, hold your head up high and walk away.

Baubletrouble43 · 08/03/2018 13:14

Fizzygreenwater absolutely spot on. Op; you don't have to live like this. You deserve to be treated with respect. Which you aren't.xx

gillybeanz · 08/03/2018 13:18

It sounds to me like he's cheated OP, so if you find out he can say well you did it first.
I can't believe he is like this 8 years on, even if you had had an affair he should have left you or accepted and moved on.

MuminMama · 08/03/2018 13:24

He sounds unbelievably unlivable with. Kick him to the kerb.

BakedBeans47 · 08/03/2018 13:24

He’s a nutcase.

Leave.

poobumwee · 08/03/2018 13:28

You need to end this marriage. It will be harming your self esteem and also having a detrimental impact on your kids. He sounds like a very strange man

MirriVan · 08/03/2018 13:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/03/2018 13:30

Oh, I meant to add stop talking to him. I mean refuse to engage about the relationship or your having filed for divorce. Just clam up. Day to day necessary household conversation is fine, but nothing with regards to your future plans. If you feel you must respond then "I'm sorry you feel that way" should do it but refuse to engage in arguments or to try and justify what you are doing.

Is there any way you and the children can leave now? If you've started a divorce, there's really no point in staying, is there? Please speak to your solicitor. Be very honest about the things he's said about you and tell the solicitor that things are becoming intolerable. If you own/co-own the house they may advise you to 'woman up' and stay put. But they may very well tell you to get out and fight it out about the house in court.

MsHarry · 08/03/2018 13:33

Things will only get worse when you have the baby and all the extra pressure that put on life and your relationship.

Mxyzptlk · 08/03/2018 13:41

He does not believe for a moment that you were unfaithful. He's never seen a video, never heard noises - nothing. He know this.

So there's no chance of getting him to "believe" you because he already knows you are telling the truth but he has chosen to act as if you are not.

mimibunz · 08/03/2018 13:44

He's done something he feels guilty about, you can be certain of that. Get rid of him.

honeyroar · 08/03/2018 13:45

I think she had the baby years ago, and another after that.

OP I wish you strength and determination with your divorce and a great future without him. Be aware he will make things as difficult as he can! But it will be worth it. Life will be so much better without him.

GnotherGnu · 08/03/2018 13:57

Call him on it. Tell him he is lying, he knows he's lying, you know he's lying: he didn't hear sex noises because they didn't happen, he's never seen an amateur porn film featuring you because it does not exist. And that, as you are getting divorced, your holiday arrangements are none of his business.

Sugarplumps · 08/03/2018 15:09

This is the classic behaviour of a cheating and controlling abuser. Run as fast as you can.

Coyoacan · 08/03/2018 15:14

The issue is that he has got a weapon (this very, very mild flirtation you had 8 years ago) and has been gleefully using it to mistreat you and keep you 'in your place' for nearly a decade

I really don't think he is paranoid, there would be other signs. Go for the divorce, OP, and if you can afford the time and money, find yourself a counsellor to help you unlearn all the bad things from your marriage.

MistressDeeCee · 08/03/2018 15:47

9 threads, same advice. I hope it's sunk in now.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/03/2018 21:01

Not helpful MistressDeeCee. On average it takes a woman seven tries before she leaves an abusive relationship. Each thread posted by an abused woman is a mental step, even if it's a tiny one. It doesn't matter how many threads OP posts if eventually it gives her the courage to leave.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 08/03/2018 21:16

@BerkinBag, 'greased weasel', I love it ! 😂

BerkInBag · 08/03/2018 22:04

That's the polite version. The other version is "faster than greased weasel shit" Shock

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