Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Not sure whether to stay in my relationship!

23 replies

DeepThinker · 03/05/2018 17:37

Have just joined and need some advice.

I'm three years into a relationship with a man I met just after my divorce from my children's father. We had a fantastic connection right from the start, one which I never had with my ex husband and he is great with my children. I love him dearly but we've had a very rocky relationship due to what I can only think as, emotional connection with his ex. He was married to her for a long time and separated for two years when I met him and said his divorce was almost finalised and he was ready to move on with life.

After a year we moved in together and were very happy, so I thought. Four months later I found out she was still texting and calling him, still on his car insurance, using credit cards on his account and I then found out he was only starting the divorce. I was distraught as on the one hand were talking about getting married, on the other he was being secretive, not telling me what she was contacting him for and secretly going to see her. He then out of the blue, a few days later just left and went back to her. It was such a shock as I hground ad just found out all of these things out all within the previous two weeks.

I had no contact with him for about five months and I had managed to recover and move on. Then he started emailing me, saying how sorry he was, what a huge mistake he had made and that if I could only give him another chance he would spend the rest of his life making it up to me. I ignored him for several weeks, I couldn't even consider it but after a while agreed to meet for coffee. We talked for three hours and eventually I agreed to give things another try only on the condition that he was completely open with me and got his divorce finalised. He promised he would.

That was over a year ago and on the whole we have had a wonderful relationship together until the last few months when I have been excluded from several family events, a wedding and a funeral, on his side of the family, because his ex wife would be there and have also just found photos on his computer of him and his ex on holiday a few days a week after we got back together, I didn't even know he was away. I also found out that he is still paying some of her bills and for her car etc even though she got a huge financial settlement from him and a lump sum instead of maintenance. She also still has a credit card on his account. Their children are grown up and moved out and she has a good job.

He wants us to get married but I feel very unsure about everything.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:
tinkerbellone · 03/05/2018 17:43

This guy is not for you. He clearly doesn’t love you and cherish you. Don’t settle for him. I think deep down you know the answer. Get him out your life. Sorry OP. He sound weak, confused and horrible.

whatareyoueatingNOW · 03/05/2018 18:04

He's in a committed relationship. Not with you. With her. Why settle for this? You'll spend your life finding things out, being suspicious and constantly compared. So what if his ex wife would be at event? What's that got to do with it? Can we not be in the same room as you? If not , why not? You're being treated as a dirty little secret, his ex wife being the priority. A funeral I can understand if you didn't know them and she did. A wedding? Did she act as his plus one? Did they go as a couple? Because it's very strange to go to a wedding WITH your ex wife. LTB

M0RVEN · 03/05/2018 18:30

I think you will find that you are the OW. Sorry.

Perfecto · 03/05/2018 18:34

Are you sure he is divorced yet?

Rosielily · 03/05/2018 18:38

Have you seen his Decree Absolute?

dirtybadger · 03/05/2018 18:39

Well, definitely dont marry him. I think you know that. Sorry Sad

Its weird not to invite your current dp to a wedding because your ex will be there. Its not like its been a couple of months (I understand in that case). Its been years. Have you ever met her, or spoke on phone, etc? Its been years, sounds ridiculous and also a bit suspicious if there is the potential he is keeping you from meeting or chatting to each other.

You can do better, that is a given.

DeepThinker · 03/05/2018 20:05

Thanks for the replies.
I have never met the ex and when I think about it he has always made sure we haven't been able to meet or talk!

I haven't seen his decree absolute either, he is very secretive about his paperwork and his phone even though he promised to 've open with me. He was annoyed because I looked at his credit card bill that he'd left sitting out and discovered recent charges she'd made near where she lives, fifty miles away.

What's bothering the most atm is the fact that he went on holiday with her after convincing me to get back with him. I was talking to the phone those days and never even knew he was away. When I confronted him about the photos he seemed annoyed with me for looking at them, he had said I could use his computer so I wasn't snooping. He has since apologised for his reaction and promised to tell me everything from now on but I just don't feel I can trust him again.

OP posts:
Ryder63 · 03/05/2018 20:22

Leave this 'harem' situation - you deserve to be the ONLY one in someone's life. You never will be in this relationship.

Babyblues052 · 03/05/2018 20:34

Oh lord. Sounds like he is cheating on his wife with you. Even if he's not he's shady.

DeepThinker · 03/05/2018 23:51

I know that he's definitely properly separated and had heard him speaking to his Solicitor several times on the phone, regarding the divorce last year. We also meet with his son and daughter for lunch each week. He had his own place for a while after we got back together as I wouldn't let him move in with me again until the divorce was sorted. He moved back in with me and my children a few months ago which is why I have found these things out. I've told him I need time and space and that I don't feel I can trust him. I really can't see the future he had promised atm and feel like I've lost all respect for him. My children, especially the youngest two, like him a lot and have got used to him being there. I feel like I need space to get my head around things which is difficult as he works from home and I work partly from home. The children are staying with their Dad this weekend so I'm going to stay with my sister for a few days and get some thinking time.

OP posts:
Rosielily · 04/05/2018 07:03

I hope you're not leaving him in your home while you leave for a few days with your sister to get some breathing time. It's him who needs to leave, ideally for good. He's using you - you're providing a roof over his head and a place for him to work...... What does he contribute to your life?

Granville72 · 04/05/2018 13:41

He's not definetley separated from his wife though is he? He is still financially supporting her, visiting her and going on holidays when he is supposed to be with you.

I would question whether they have actually got divorced.

In all honesty though, there is no trust in this relationship and why would you want to play 2nd fiddle to his 'ex wife'? Because you will always be 2nd fiddle to her. He's already proved that

saiya06 · 04/05/2018 13:46

Get this man away from your children. You have the right to ride the rollercoaster but ffs try to give them a chance at a stable happy childhood.

Mari50 · 04/05/2018 13:54

I genuinely can’t believe that you’ve exposed your children to this bullshit.
This man quite obviously isn’t ready to move on from his ex and definitely not with you.
Tell him to leave and think very carefully before you allow a man to move into the family home again.

DeepThinker · 12/05/2018 00:29

Had a good think and have ended things and asked him to move out. It's very hard after three years of hoping and there have been many good times too. I know I have to stay strong now as there's been too many promises for too long. Thanks for your comments and support!

OP posts:
Tatiannatomasina · 12/05/2018 00:37

Well done, you deserve someone who can give you everything, not bits and pieces. Stay strong as i am sure he will try to talk you round again.

TuTru · 12/05/2018 00:53

Omg what a bastard! Lose him. Xx

SandyY2K · 12/05/2018 08:51

Good job. He isn't trustworthy at all.

tinkerbellone · 12/05/2018 18:35

Well done OP. That must’ve been hard Flowers

DeepThinker · 13/05/2018 11:35

Thanks for your replies, it's so helpful to know that I'm doing the right thing. It's very hard, I actually feel bad for hurting him, he was so upset but I know that I'll never be able to look at him the same way again or trust him and that my children don't need any more negativity in their lives. Focusing on going forward from today, feel massive relief!

OP posts:
Iflyaway · 13/05/2018 17:02

What's bothering the most atm is the fact that he went on holiday with her after convincing me to get back with him.

So. He's got 2 women on the go.

I could understand if the kids were small, but they are grown up.

"Never make someone a priority to whom you are only an option".

2018Anon · 13/05/2018 20:48

Well done you for ending it. You did not have 100% of this man and sounds like you never would. He is clearly still in love with his ex wife and I can only assume he came back to you because she had turfed him out. He was treating you like 2nd best and you are not 2nd best. Stay strong and don't let him talk you round.
This man will never be happy.

hellsbellsmelons · 14/05/2018 13:02

Well done OP.
Keep him gone this time.
You know you are doing the right thing.
You deserve much better than this 'man' and you know it.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page