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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

I'm having an affair

231 replies

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 15:09

Well I don't quite know where to start.

I've been with my DH for well over a decade, since we were teens and we have a young family together. We used to fight and fall out a lot when we first started dating, probably because we weren't overly compatible and he didn't show me a lot of affection. I have issues in the past which I accept have probably made me quite needy, although he really wasn't affectionate a lot. We both had family issues and I suppose that pushed us together even more as our relationship was like a form of escapism.

Fast forewarn a number of years and we had a family together. The arguments calmed down but we still weren't affectionate and sex was very rare and not great (little effort from him mostly).

I have had depression (undiagnosed so presumed) and haven't been the easiest person to live with at times. I've struggled to hold down a job due to social anxiety and his lack of affection meant that I used to question him a lot after nights out and ask about work colleagues etc. I know this was wrong and I understand this has probably pushed him away. He used to look at porn but then stopped because I felt quite jealous so now when I talk about his low libido, he's quick to remind me that he was more normal until I interfered.

Anyway, we have tried to make it work and plodded on. Deep down we do get on but there is a lot of resentment on both sides and when we have tried to make an effort, it feels forced and fake. It never lasts and we go back to our usual routine of being like friends with little interest in each other and not much affection or physical contact. We don't argue much now as I think we're both past that stage and we do get on ok, but it's not fulfilling.

So, I was feeling lonely and stupidly set up a profile on an online dating site with a fake picture. Not to get dates or anything, but to have conversation with other men and remember what it felt like to be young and have that excitement. I intended to stop and delete the profile but it became addictive and I probably withdrew further from my marriage.

After a few weeks, I exchanged numbers with one man and we talked a few times (he still didn't know what I looked lIke) and it led to phone sex late one evening whilst my DH was in bed. However, he wondered where I was and came looking for me very quietly and caught me. I felt terrible and he shouted and got upset. I explained what I had done and why and told him that these men hadn't got a picture of me and I hadn't met anyone. He eventually agreed to forgive me and we both said we'd try to get the spark back. I cut off contact with that other man and deleted my profile.

Then a few months later, my husband was poorly and I was trying to look after him and the kids. He spent over a week in bed sleeping and I was lonely. The sex and affection that had been promised hadn't been overly forthcoming even before he was poorly and I was now so tempted to create a new profile that one evening I signed up to the site again. I chatted to various men briefly and eventually one man came along that seemed really nice. He wasn't amazingly good looking but we clicked and he made me laugh. We exchanged numbers and talked a few times on the phone, plus sent hundreds of messages and I felt addicted to the attention and having so much fun. I knew I should stop but I couldn't.

After a few weeks of talking, he suggested we meet and that's when I thought it would end. I was just going to ignore him or block him as i knew it was over anyway but because he had been so lovely and I'd basically tricked him, I opened up about my home life and told him the truth. To my amazement, he didn't block me. He said he was sad as he had felt such a connection and hadn't gelled with anyone that well, even when we talked on the phone. I agreed as it was effortless and so natural. I was that taken aback by him not blocking me that I agreed to meet him. I didn't think I was capable of it really as I'm very shy normally and have social anxiety issues. I also knew it would be wrong and the voice in my head said it'd be ok because I would stop myself. I've always told DH that I'd never meet anyone else and believed that to be true as it had only ever been talking and I did/do love DH and my family.

That day I was so nervous but I met him. It was like I had forgotten everyone else (selfishly) and pretended to be an actress or someone else so I wasn't doing anything wrong. We had a long walk together in the sunshine and although I was nervous, we laughed a lot and it was really nice. We had a few kisses and cuddles and although it felt a bit awkward as deep down I knew it was wrong, I didn't want to stop. Still I told myself that this would be it and I'd end it. I had proved to myself that I could still date and be found attractive and I thought that was all I wanted.

He messaged a lot after that meeting though and I couldn't stop the contact. My DH didn't suspect anything and although he's a nice man really and a good father, home was boring and the messaging was exciting and actually felt far more loving than what I had at home.

Fast forward another week and this online man asked me for another date. This time to the cinema. Again, I didn't think I'd turn up but I did and thinks felt amazing. It was like we were a proper couple. We were further away from my home so I could relax and not worry about being caught. We held hands and cuddled a lot and then it turned really quite passionate with the kissing. I could feel he was erect whilst we kissed and I knew he wanted me. He said he hadn't felt anything that electric and passionate before and that he thought he was falling for me. Part of me felt terrible but then another part knew he meant it and I felt truly loved. He really looked after me and kept looking at me when he thought I wasn't looking and stroked/kissed my hands so gently.

After the film, he asked if I'd like to see his new home as he had just moved a few days before and said I could visit him (or not, no pressure) at any time and he would love to see me. I agreed to go to his place and followed him back in the car.

I knew we would kiss and I was actually a bit scared of how I felt and what I'd allow myself to do but still I didn't turn around. We got inside and kissed a lot. We laid on his bed cuddling and he made me feel amazing. The kissing was so passionate and we were both massively turned on. Although I didn't allow him to touch my naked body, he groped me a lot and I ended up giving him a hand job. Afterwards, it still felt amazing. We laughed, we talked, we cuddled. He got another erection and it felt good that someone wanted me so much.

So that was yesterday and now I'm wondering, what next. If we meet again next week, I'm sure he will touch me at the very least and I'm fairly sure we will end up having sex. This is already an affair but having sex would really seem like a proper affair to me, especially as me and DH were both virgins when we met and haven't been with anyone else. My head is a mess and I don't know what to do. I can't believe what I've already done and either my DH or this other man is going to get hurt which I didn't want.

OP posts:
Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 22:01

Ok so I've told DH everything. He's understandably in a mess so is staying in a hotel for tonight at least. I know I'm a cow and I genuinely didn't want this to happen when we got together or even when we got married. I wanted us to be happy but it's hard when it feels like we've become different people and just can't get the spark back. I don't know what will happen now but I owed it to him to be honest and let him decide what he wants.

I have just cut up my SIM card and will get a new one tomorrow so I no longer have the other mans number and he won't be able to call me. He doesn't know my address or even my surname so don't think I'll hear from him again.

OP posts:
Anasnake · 27/04/2018 22:02

Bollocks

LiteraryDevil · 27/04/2018 22:05

Cut up a sim card Hmm Most people just block and delete. But I'm guessing that's not dramatic enough. And he'll just message you via the dating site surely? Which you will access from your laptop or other device because "you can't help yourself" as you have no self control.

DangerEgg · 27/04/2018 22:09

From not knowing where to start, you've told us a lot of intimate details, more than any other post about affairs I've ever read.

Bizarre, just bizarre.

I think you love all the drama. Your poor husband and family.

AnneLovesGilbert · 27/04/2018 22:09

You told him you gave a bloke off the internet a hand job?

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 22:10

Cut up sim to prevent him calling on another number. I can't allow him to contact me again as I'm clearly weak and it isn't the right thing for any of us.

I deleted my profile as did he so no chance of contacting me on the dating site.

I'm going to get a doctors appointment next week and try to get support. It feels like my life is crumbling at the moment and I have no one to talk to. I only came on here because I feel like I'm going mad and don't have a soul to confide in. I can't keep going feeling this lonely. This doesn't feel like a life at all.

OP posts:
Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 22:11

Judge me and say what you want. I just wrote whatever was in my head because it's been driving me crazy and I have no one else to talk to.

OP posts:
Onlyhavetwohands · 27/04/2018 22:11

That was quick! It took me two years to get my ex husband to move out.

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 22:13

He hasn't moved out. He just said that he needed space which I respect. I don't know what will happen now

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 27/04/2018 22:15

Are you hoping he forgives you and comes back?

stilltryingstillfailing · 27/04/2018 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Weezol · 27/04/2018 22:25

FWIW I don't think there is a 'good' way to end a marriage.
I binned my XH out an hour after I found out he was cheating, but
friends have forgiven cheating and the marriage has limped on for a year or two and then ended.

Dadaist · 27/04/2018 22:29

OP - you have done the right thing and stopped short of something that could have been very very much more harmful.
I also hope your DH will appreciate that you have come clean without prompting or questioning. That counts for a huge amount on these pages.
It’s going to be a long night for you tonight - but the sun will come up tomorrow.
In truth - you’ve really needed to lay it in the line for your DH and tell him how you have felt - and how he has not been meeting your needs in the relationship- and how you’ve reached crisis point.
No one should be expected to live without feeling loved OP - and in a relationship it is worst of all.
Do give him space. Do be open an honest with him. Don’t be too defensive. But also say what’s in your heart. As someone has already said - what you’ve really wanted is for your DH to show you he loves you.
Marriage counselling may be the way if he agrees?
And don’t don’t don’t contact the OM - who should know to stay away from a wife and mother for cheap kicks! Hang in there OP. x

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 22:30

I really don't know what I want but he deserved to know so he has a say in things. I've no idea what's going to happen and no idea what to do if we split or where to begin. I need some support, which I'm hoping my gp can help with.

OP posts:
wibblywobblyfish · 27/04/2018 22:34

Best ditch your husband before you wank off any more internet randoms I think.

HustleRussell · 27/04/2018 22:37

I love how everyone on this site is perfect...;).

Adviceplease360 · 27/04/2018 22:54

What a romantic second date, you're such a catch. As is he of course.

AnneLovesGilbert · 27/04/2018 22:56

Clear blue water between “perfect” and phone sexing or wanking off a random while your husband is asleep or at home looking after your kids HustleRussell

butterballs9 · 27/04/2018 23:12

Only a very few people have actually READ what the OP has written. For all those who have not properly read the post and have merely sounded off with their own prejudices, I suggest you actually absorb what has been written, what it means and what the OP is really trying to say.

Practicing active listening is a skill that is hugely underrated and in fact I would say that one of the leading causes of depression is due to the fact that people cannot LISTEN to what someone is trying to say. Instead, they hear words and form their own prejudices and conclusions.

I'll come back in a few days, time permitting, to point out what I think is beyond blatantly obvious and which, imo, has been expressed entirely eloquently the OP who can hardly be considered as some kind of 'femme fatale'.

Shedmicehugh1 · 27/04/2018 23:17

OP definitely needs to sort herself out! However, wow, very harsh!!

OP what do you want your husband?

Lilly90 · 28/04/2018 00:55

What you have done to your husband is exactly what mine did to me almost 5 years ago. I can't even start to tell you what that did to me. The stress he put me through made me so ill I became allergic to almost every beauty product, hair dye, shampoo, make up, body wash etc. Stress can do terrible things to you, that people just don't realise. He joined 2 dating websites for married people, they were called, local slappers and marital affairs. He got chatting to numerous women and had an on/off affair with one for 15 months! I stupidly forgave him. Now almost 5 years later he has got back in touch with her and has left me and our son to be with her and her 3 boys! I'm falling apart all over again.
I'm sorry but I hope you husband doesn't take you back. I don't want to be horrible but you cant mess with people like that, it's wrong. So so wrong. I've now lost almost a stone in weight and god knows what else the stress is going to do to me.

t3rr3gl35 · 28/04/2018 05:07

This reads to me as somebody with depression rooted in lousy childhood and possibly being emotionally abused. The stand out comment for me was that the OP said she had a job when she met her DH but found she couldn't cope as her relationship developed. I think there is little doubt that she was "rescued" by her DH, and that rings alarm bells.

Maybe her issues stem from feeling unloved/unlovable - there is nothing more lonely than feeling lonely in a marriage. Whatever, this sounds like more than bored and doing it for kicks. I suggest this is a combination of desperation to feel loved/desirable and hoping to be rescued from an increasingly intolerable situation.

I don't condone the OP's actions at all but I certainly have some sympathy for her, as the whole tone reads like a child desperate to be loved. sadly, she is leading herself down a path of further misery and is putting herself in the line of further abuse while trying to convince herself that "this time" it is true love.

I hope very much that the OP seeks help and counselling, and that she learns to take responsibility for her decisions and to love herself. She may then be able to drive her life forwards more positively. Unfortunately, I think she may always be a victim.

Nousernameforme · 28/04/2018 07:21

I have no sympathy for her she is using what happened years ago as an excuse to be a shitty person now. "Oh I don't know how it happened but we ended up in bed"
Cop on to your self. Everything that has happened with the online dating is because you actively pursued it You made the texts happen because you wanted them to. You met up with this man (who is willing to have an affair with a married woman what a prize) because you wanted it to happen not because you had a shitty childhood not because you are bored and lonely.

I could perhaps buy your excuses if it someone who you had just bumped into or someone who was there for you when your partner was not. But this was planned by you, you have gone out of your way to have an affair.

If you are sticking with your husband now because lets face it he puts up with your shit and pays for you then you need to do some serious work.
Go to relate get some counseling as a couple or get some help privately to work on yourself so you can become independent and leave him. Just do not go on as you are.

I know I am sounding really negative here but I cannot for the life of me see why you would literally shit on the hand that feeds you

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 28/04/2018 08:01

Awful lot of projection there t3rr3gl35.

In fairness though it’s usually by page two that the husband in these situations is labelled ‘abusive’

Anasnake · 28/04/2018 08:17

Might have missed it but does this bloke you're cheating with also have a partner??

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