Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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

Messages on DP's phone, do we still have a chance?

206 replies

DaisyD22 · 09/08/2019 13:12

Apologies for a long thread but want to avoid drip-feeding. Me and my DP, both 35, have been together for 6 years, we split before as we didn't get on very well and there were also external factors to do with jobs, family bereavement, money etc. which didn't help.
Mutual decision, we stayed friends as had still lots of respect and love for each other. We lived over 1 year apart, then started to become closer and after almost 2 years since 1st split, we got back together, moved in. We spend lots of time talking and making changes to make sure we don't repeat old mistakes. First months were great, almost felt like being in love for the 1st time again but now, almost another year on, we are struggling. We just seem to be different in many aspects, we argue quite a lot. I am career focused, he is more laid back. I am messy, he is tidy. I earn more than him, he just gets by. Sex is not great, it happens but it seems like a chore at times.
I still love him to bits as he is a good and caring man and I do know he loves me too but we just don't get on on a daily basis.
Recently he went to work and forgot to take his phone, and I did something I have never done before, I checked his FB. There were quite a lot of messages between him and one girl, I figured out it is someone he must have been dating or sleeping with when we were apart. The messages between them were rather friendly then sexual and quite reserved from her side but there was certain level of intimacy, as if they knew each other very well.
DP said in one message that me and him are not getting on :( and we might even split in the future... that was after one of our rows. He also complimented this girl many times and many times mentioned how much fun they had together in the past. He mentioned her 'great tits' once, too. Her response to all that is just laughing and changing subject usually. DP sent her a picture of himself, just a selfie and asked her for pictures, too. She ignored it but eventually sent him a couple of pics, night out ones with friends and one pretty selfie, with 'great tits' visible. DP's response was wow you are looking lovely, great, hot, still beautiful.
The messages went on for a couple of weeks, sometimes there were a couple of days with no contact. Last contact was about 3 weeks ago. Her last message was: I don't think we should talk that much while you are still in a relationship with Daisy, which he responded to: yes, I know, it's great to be back in touch but I do need to focus on trying to fix my relation with Daisy so it is best if we don't talk much right now.
I am really confused and upset by these messages. He clearly fancies her and trusts her enough to say we are struggling. It seems like a huge breach of trust. On the other hand,
I know him so well and know he would never cheat. It is just not in his book. So it is not physical now... and it's seems kind of typical for man to think of sex with other women, especially when things are not great at home... But... His FB search shows that he checks her profile out regularly and I also saw some downloaded pics of her in his phone. Most just normal ones but one or two quite seductive selfies, tops with cleavage, shorts, with legs and heels exposed. Not really sure what he saw in her as she is quite average.
She is older than me and I think less attractive but he clearly fancies her.
I just don't know what to do and think. We looked at houses together recently and I am also thinking I don't have that much time left for trying for a child but clearly it is all too messy now to even consider getting pregnant.
Is there any chance from here for me and DP? Should I confront him about it all?

OP posts:
Pinkmonkeybird · 09/08/2019 14:15

@DaisyD22 ...jeez, you don't get it do you? It's not about money etc...this is about emotional loyalty and intimacy. He is BETRAYING you!

My ex paid for stuff and helped with things whilst conducting an EA too. Everyone thought he wasn't the type to cheat and got the shock of their lives when it all came out.

But carry on making the excuses if you will..

DaisyD22 · 09/08/2019 14:15

Also, how come is this seen as emotional cheating?
He didn't discussed details of our remationship, only said it's not great to her. He doesn't declare any feelings or suggests meeting her. They mostly chat about threir daily doings, joke, plus his odd compliment but it is lots just like banter. Is it emotional cheating?
It is the puctures and him checking her profile that worries me more.
Sorry if my writing is chaotic. I am away and had wine!

OP posts:
MarkRonsonsMother · 09/08/2019 14:16

'He is not a cheating type

He's having a bloody go try though, putting the feelers out, leery comments & desperation for it to lead somewhere.

It sounds as if OW is trying to bat him off, he will move on to someone else.

How do you know he hasnt been doing this the whole time?

He probably has.

QueenOfPain · 09/08/2019 14:17

Never reheat old meat!

user1481840227 · 09/08/2019 14:21

It's absolutely emotional cheating.

He's fulfilling a need that he has (or thinks has) by messaging her, he gets the thrill and excitement that people get out of flirty chats, probably daydreams and has fantasies about her.

Telling her that your relationship isn't great is his way of putting the feelers out to see if she would be interested in him, it's also his way of letting her know that you and him probably aren't going to last so she will keep him in mind, AND it's his way of excusing these secret chats to himself.

lovelookslikethis · 09/08/2019 14:22

You can define cheating however you see fit op, for me that would be cheating in an emotional sense. He is paying her compliments, commenting on intimate parts of her body, they speak intimately in your own words, like they really know each other (they prob do as this has been clearly going on for a very long time) They confide in each other about problems, share secrets and jokes. That is called intimacy. He is sharing all of that with another woman, and not you.

Why didn't he tell you? Why has he kept it all secret? You know why op. Because he has developed feelings for her beyond friendship. Sexual comments and suggestive messages can hardly be classed as friendship.

He has crossed several lines and some.

How can you trust him again?

Pinkmonkeybird · 09/08/2019 14:22

Believe what you want then @DaisyD22

Good luck with everything.

Pinkmonkeybird · 09/08/2019 14:23

@QueenOfPain never reheat old meat ...brilliant Grin

DaisyD22 · 09/08/2019 14:27

I am just hoping that maybe it is just sexual. Our sex is not great, he would want more but I am happy with 2 times a month. Just not overly sexual. Is it stupid to think he still loves me, emotionally and maybe only fancies her sexually as he is not fulfilled in bed with me? Should I try harder?
I am drunk now.

OP posts:
user1481840227 · 09/08/2019 14:31

He probably does still 'love' you, but is it really love in the true sense of the word if he's ok with risking your relationship or causing you so much hurt and pain because of another woman?

DaisyD22 · 09/08/2019 14:34

He decided not to talk to her anymore before I saw the messages. AND there was zero contact for weeks now. Things have been ok last 2-3 weeks. So he made his choice of prioritising us now...

OP posts:
SweetAsSpice · 09/08/2019 14:35

so I don't 100% see him talking to her as being disloyal.

But he isn’t just talking to her. He is
Confiding in her about your relationship
Testing the water with mentioning you might break up
Sending photos...receiving them...downloading them...to wank to?

Would you do the above and feel guiltless?

Wake up. Love yourself more.

TatianaLarina · 09/08/2019 14:35

I think you should try harder to grasp the fact this relationship doesn’t work.

That he is looking around because he wants to get out.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 09/08/2019 14:35

and it's seems kind of typical for man to think of sex with other women, especially when things are not great at home

That's an exceptionally low bar, it really is.

Is it stupid to think he still loves me, emotionally and maybe only fancies her sexually as he is not fulfilled in bed with me?

Depends, do you want a relationship with someone who is pursuing relationships with other women in any form, and telling them they have great boobs? Do you want a relationship with someone who downloads sexy photos of "average" women?

Also, how come is this seen as emotional cheating?

Even they can see that they've crossed a line, that's why she's stopped him from messaging her so much.

This has run it's course. It won't get better again. You can accept it for what it is, or you can find something better.

SweetAsSpice · 09/08/2019 14:36

And complimenting her too.
‘Great tits’ made me cringe.

dottiedodah · 09/08/2019 14:38

I think that even if he hasnt cheated yet (rather doubtful).He is clearly thinking about it .The facts are that you were happy once a few years ago, and he has given up a good job /looked after you when you were ill. However good he has been to you in the past and whatever you once had together seems to have faded somewhat. This can and does happen to many people sadly .At 35 you should be at the peak of your physical relationship not finding sex a chore!.Do you want 30 plus more years spent like this?.It will be difficult ,but I think you need to move on and have written to us because you know it in your heart TBH.

DaisyD22 · 09/08/2019 14:38

I am really clutching at straws, aren't I? But he had loads of chances to meet her, I was away for work a lot in April, May and June and there is no sign of contact between them then. I checked bank statements and his call logs, for calls, hotels, different city spend, his email for train tickets. Nothing. Only these fb messages.

OP posts:
SweetAsSpice · 09/08/2019 14:39

Yes...only because she didn’t give him the go ahead. Yet.

StarGOLD · 09/08/2019 14:40

Oh bless you..I sense your desperation but go back in the cold light of day and reread what you’ve posted and then ask yourself..Is this how I want my life to look..? Is this all I’m worth..?

There’s someone else out there for you who will loves and cherish you without question. Focus on you....

Palaver1 · 09/08/2019 14:42

I Almost would think this was a joke..but just in case it isn’t.
Hop over to divorce and separation chats.
Make up your mind on what you think your worth.

Boysey45 · 09/08/2019 14:43

A platonic friend doesn't say Great tits to someone. I mean you wouldn't say great bulge or nice cock to a work friend would you?

GCAcademic · 09/08/2019 14:43

If a man is telling a woman that she has great tits and that his relationship has problems, it's because he wants to fuck her. I'm sorry to be blunt, but there's no other possible interpretation.

A decent relationship should not be this much hard work.

LonelyTiredandLow · 09/08/2019 14:48

It sounds to me as though maybe he is seeming better now you know someone else is 'after' him?

Personally I think you need to weigh up whether having kids with a guy you are unlikely to last more than a couple of years with is going to be a good thing. I don't mean that to sound negative; a lot of people seem to do it. He also needs to be aware of this thought process by the way - he might agree it is the best thing to do. Be under no illusions this will "bring you together" as if anything the sleepless nights and pressure will likely drive you apart if your relationship isn't solid.

If you decide you can't trust him after this or will always wonder he is thinking "what if I was with her" (which would be my personal downfall after seeing that) then I don't think it is a good basis to continue anything, especially not kids.

You have a lot of options to go it alone for kids but there is also a chance you can meet someone more compatible.

From the outside it looks doomed but with honesty you can talk this through with him and see if you can come to a mature and mutual decision. Seeing as you have discussed buying a house, this should be possible. Good luck.

Whataliberty · 09/08/2019 14:51

I know you must be upset Daisy, as you love this guy... But I am not sure I could carry on with the seed of doubt in my mind that something may happen if you both hit a rocky patch again.

Plus if my DP said 'great tits' to some other woman I would be really upset, humiliated and bloody hurt. I could not look him in the eye. For me, the trust would be wrecked over this.

Only you know how you want to live but life being already tough, do you need someone who makes you worry in it?? x

lovesnettles · 09/08/2019 14:54

Sex is not great, it happens but it seems like a chore at times.
I still love him to bits as he is a good and caring man and I do know he loves me too but we just don't get on on a daily basis.

Honestly @DaisyD22, you would be better friends than lovers. And as for "he's not the cheating type" - do you really think if little miss nice tits had given him ANY encouragement that he wouldn't have been over there in a flash? He was working on it - SHE put the brakes on - not him. Value yourself and get rid of this guy who you are not compatible with and judging by what you've said, looks like he is also living off you financially.

Swipe left for the next trending thread