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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

My life is in ruins - Affair with married man

318 replies

Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:14

Hi

Two years ago my husband had an affair which resulted in the end of our marriage.

Fast forward 3 months and I became involved in a sexting relationship with a former colleague over Facebook.

This continued daily for for many months and I became emotionally attached to this man despite knowing he had a history of cheating on his wife several times over the years. He openly told me about his conquests. For whatever reason that wasn’t enough to put me off.

We met up and started seeing each other in person and I ended up pregnant with twins.

I told him about it and he said we couldn’t continue to be involved if I went ahead with the pregnancy. For weeks I went back and forth and kept changing my mind about what to do. My biggest fear was that he was lying to me and was involved with someone other than me and his wife as he had previously mentioned he had an affair that went on for years and years and said that woman had been in touch to meet up again but he declined. He came to my house, held my hand and looked into my eyes and promised me it was only me he wanted and there wasn’t anyone else and hadnt been the entire time we were I involved. He swore on the lives of his adult kids and grandson and in the end I had a termination but by this time I was 14 weeks gone.

On the day of the abortion he was at a family wedding and he did check on me that before morning but I was angry with him so he didn’t contact me again the rest of the day.

He said he hadn’t been on his phone the whole day.

Things got difficult for me after that, I was filled with regret and terrible guilt. I was open with him about my feelings. He seemed fairly supportive at that time.

I felt we had gotten closer due to it all and became more attached to him and felt like I loved him.

Something felt off, I can’t explain why but I asked him who the woman was that he had the affair with for years and he refused to tell me. That made alarm bells ring because I thought maybe he’s worried I find out something he doesn’t want me to know. After I pushed him he told me who she was and I knew of her but didn’t know her personally. I messaged her on Facebook and asked her if she was still in contact with him and stupidly I told him I was doing this.

She said she wasn’t but asked me a lot of questions which made me suspicious.

2 weeks went by and she messaged me and showed me pictures he has sent her on the day I had the abortion, so he had been on his phone and was busy sending her messages as I was bleeding out his twins. She also told me dates they had been together and send me copies of messages.

He came to my house and I said I can’t believe you lied to me and I believed you. Why that wasn’t hard for me to believe I’m not sure as he had been lying to his wife for 30 years so why would I be an exception to the rule?

He begged for forgiveness and apologised said he ended it after the abortion. For a few days I went along with it but I became ill with anxiety. I didn’t sleep for 4 days and couldn’t think straight.

In mid August he had just left my house after we spent a lovely evening together. The other woman messaged again and showed me new information where he instructed her to lie to me and told her I was nobody and he didn’t love me he loved her.

I snapped and got ready and walked round to his house, knocked his door and he answered. I said I couldn’t listen to his lies any longer it was too painful and I had to tell his wife because if I didn’t he would somehow manage to talk me round into forgiving him again and that would only led to more pain. He then got in his car and drove away and his wife came to the door and I told her the truth. That he’s lied to her for 30 years.

I haven’t heard from him since. I deleted my social media.

I’m absolutely distraught over it all, I feel like such a fool and the guilt is killing me. I have terrible nightmares and my anxiety is crippling. I can’t go on like this. I’m in therapy but it’s going to take time.

I feel ashamed that given I was cheated on I entered a relationship with a married man and even more ashamed I aborted two innocent babies to continue to see him and now it’s all been for nothing.

I think every word he ever said was a lie. It’s all so confusing. I just cry all day. Don’t go out and go over the messages time and time again trying to make peace with it all or find answers.

I would love to sit down with him and get some closure but I know that won’t happen.

He’s totally broken me and I have no idea where I go from here.

OP posts:
Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:19

Hi

Two years ago my husband had an affair which resulted in the end of our marriage.

Fast forward 3 months and I became involved in a sexting relationship with a former colleague over Facebook.

This continued daily for for many months and I became emotionally attached to this man despite knowing he had a history of cheating on his wife several times over the years. He openly told me about his conquests. For whatever reason that wasn’t enough to put me off.

We met up and started seeing each other in person and I ended up pregnant with twins.

I told him about it and he said we couldn’t continue to be involved if I went ahead with the pregnancy. For weeks I went back and forth and kept changing my mind about what to do. My biggest fear was that he was lying to me and was involved with someone other than me and his wife as he had previously mentioned he had an affair that went on for years and years and said that woman had been in touch to meet up again but he declined. He came to my house, held my hand and looked into my eyes and promised me it was only me he wanted and there wasn’t anyone else and hadnt been the entire time we were I involved. He swore on the lives of his adult kids and grandson and in the end I had a termination but by this time I was 14 weeks gone.

On the day of the abortion he was at a family wedding and he did check on me that before morning but I was angry with him so he didn’t contact me again the rest of the day.

He said he hadn’t been on his phone the whole day.

Things got difficult for me after that, I was filled with regret and terrible guilt. I was open with him about my feelings. He seemed fairly supportive at that time.

I felt we had gotten closer due to it all and became more attached to him and felt like I loved him.

Something felt off, I can’t explain why but I asked him who the woman was that he had the affair with for years and he refused to tell me. That made alarm bells ring because I thought maybe he’s worried I find out something he doesn’t want me to know. After I pushed him he told me who she was and I knew of her but didn’t know her personally. I messaged her on Facebook and asked her if she was still in contact with him and stupidly I told him I was doing this.

She said she wasn’t but asked me a lot of questions which made me suspicious.

2 weeks went by and she messaged me and showed me pictures he has sent her on the day I had the abortion, so he had been on his phone and was busy sending her messages as I was bleeding out his twins. She also told me dates they had been together and send me copies of messages.

He came to my house and I said I can’t believe you lied to me and I believed you. Why that wasn’t hard for me to believe I’m not sure as he had been lying to his wife for 30 years so why would I be an exception to the rule?

He begged for forgiveness and apologised said he ended it after the abortion. For a few days I went along with it but I became ill with anxiety. I didn’t sleep for 4 days and couldn’t think straight.

In mid August he had just left my house after we spent a lovely evening together. The other woman messaged again and showed me new information where he instructed her to lie to me and told her I was nobody and he didn’t love me he loved her.

I snapped and got ready and walked round to his house, knocked his door and he answered. I said I couldn’t listen to his lies any longer it was too painful and I had to tell his wife because if I didn’t he would somehow manage to talk me round into forgiving him again and that would only led to more pain. He then got in his car and drove away and his wife came to the door and I told her the truth. That he’s lied to her for 30 years.

I haven’t heard from him since. I deleted my social media.

I’m absolutely distraught over it all, I feel like such a fool and the guilt is killing me. I have terrible nightmares and my anxiety is crippling. I can’t go on like this. I’m in therapy but it’s going to take time.

I feel ashamed that given I was cheated on I entered a relationship with a married man and even more ashamed I aborted two innocent babies to continue to see him and now it’s all been for nothing.

I think every word he ever said was a lie. It’s all so confusing. I just cry all day. Don’t go out and go over the messages time and time again trying to make peace with it all or find answers.

I would love to sit down with him and get some closure but I know that won’t happen.

He’s totally broken me and I have no idea where I go from

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 02/10/2019 14:23

Don't look at it that way.

He didn't break you. Don't give him that power. Own it yourself. Everything that happened was consequences of YOUR Actions. Actions and decisions YOU chose.

And when you accept that you can try and forgive yourself.

Deleting social media was a good step. Don't ever speak to him or his wife or mistress again.

I know it's the most overused phrase ever on here but I'd look into some counselling.

MikeUniformMike · 02/10/2019 14:25

Before anyone else replies, I'll say forgive yourself. You did what you thought was best at the time, regardless of whether it was the right thing to do.
You won't get closure. He was a cheat.
You can't change what has already happened, but you can with time, move on.

Herocomplex · 02/10/2019 14:28

How terrible, I’m sure you’re devastated. You’ve taken incredible risks and paid the price.

Unfortunately there’s nothing to be done or said, he was a cheat from the beginning and you’ve made bad choices.

I’m not sure you’re going to get much sympathy here though.

Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:28

Thanks for the replies. I am currently in therapy it’s expensive but i really need the help and input and hope it helps me find some peace.

OP posts:
Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:30

I am devastated yes and not seeking sympathy just somewhere to talk about it.

OP posts:
HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 02/10/2019 14:33

Your own husbands affair probably affected you more than you realised. And this is all just compounded with that - and maybe bringing up some childhood traumas too - to make you feel overwhelmed with it all.

You had an abortion. I can see why you’d feel guilt about that but I can’t see why you’d feel bad about anything else. If I were his wife, I’d be pleased that someone had finally told me the truth!

I can’t see what you have to feel guilty about, but I realise emotions aren’t logical.

You will get through this. You really will. I know it seems impossible at the moment, and that when you raise your eyes to the future it’s all just a big scary blank. But please trust me. Keep your eyes down, for now. Keep going to therapy. Stay in the moment. Keep off social media. Keep away from him, in every way. Keep your head down. Keep going.

You won’t recognise yourself this time next year, you’ll be in a completely different mindset.

HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 02/10/2019 14:34

Can you not get NHS counselling?

dottiedodah · 02/10/2019 14:35

Firstly I think you need to forgive yourself.You were taken advantage of by an older married man who has repeatedly lied to his wife and family .Many men are very selfish ,and can only seem to be happy when they are playing away fro home so to speak .He should be feeling guilty not you! Obviously Abortion is not something we choose, but often its the only way out of a difficult situation ,twins are hard work at the best of times but you would be on your own looking after them which would be very difficult .Please continue with your therapy and try to go out if you can, maybe to see an old friend or can you stay with a friend /family for a while? .You are young enough to start again with someone nearer your own age ,and have had a lucky escape ,would you want to be married to someone you couldnt trust ,with a whole lot of baggage to boot?.I promise you life will improve and you will look back with relief that you didnt end up with a cheating scumbag! .Please take care of yourself .Lots of hugs to you xxx

Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:35

Thank you that was a lovely message. I truly hope you are right xxx

OP posts:
TheQueef · 02/10/2019 14:35

You fucked up. Massively.
It will take it's toll on you forever.
You can work with it though. Don't let it be the ruin of you, make it the start of improvement.

LondonCrone · 02/10/2019 14:35

Chump Lady has a good rule for situations like this — don’t try to unravel the skein. You can never say for sure why he behaved the way he did, and going over the messages and trying to work out where it went wrong will just prolong the pain. And do you know what? The answer is probably so, searingly simple: he treated you like this because he could.

What really struck me in your post was how, at every stage, you made an active choice to go against your judgement, your values and your own best interests. To read your story was like watching someone self-harming. I don’t think it was even about him. You seem to be punishing yourself for something. That was in you long before he came into the scene.

What’s done is done — you can’t go back. So how are you going to move forward, make amends to yourself and learn to trust yourself again? What can you build from these ashes? That’s the question that will keep you alive. Think of yourself as a shark. Move forward, because if you stop to wallow in this, it will drag you down.

Sending you strength. X

Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 14:36

Re the NHS counselling I’ve beem referred but waiting time is months xxx

OP posts:
squeaver · 02/10/2019 14:39

If you're having therapy, that's great. But it will take time, perhaps a lot of time, for you to get through this. Coming on here may not be the best idea - it's just another outlet for you to relive it all and, dare I say it, wallow in it. You say yourself you just want somewhere to talk about it. Plus, I'm afraid you are unlikely to get a lot of sympathy.

Use your therapy sessions to help you process what you've been through and spend the rest of your time doing something practical to get you through the months ahead. Distract yourself. Take up a new hobby. Volunteer. Find a new job or work hard towards getting a promotion. Exercise. Focus on staying physically healthy.

He is not worth the space he's taking up in your mind. Crowd him out.

Bellringer · 02/10/2019 14:45

Make peace with yourself. You did the best you could at the time.
You are better without this abusive scumbag. Either you would have been tied to him, or your children would have known their father didn't want them.
Build up your confidence, investing in yourself through counselling is great. Good luck op. You have to live with your regret but hope you can look at it differently and move on. The best revenge is a happy life. You deserve one. Ignatia is wonderful homeopathic remedy for grief

hellsbellsmelons · 02/10/2019 14:50

I think every word he ever said was a lie. It’s all so confusing
What's confusing about it?
He's an accomplished liar and a serial cheat.
You knew all that.
Why did YOU believe his lies?
What do you think was so special about you?
You got yourself into this with all the facts in place.
Unfortunately you enabled all of this.
You did this to yourself.

Be thankful you aren't trying to bring up 2 babies on your own.
Be thankful he is now out of your life.
Learn from this - for the love of god - learn from this.
Never EVER EVER EVER get involved with married men.
There are plenty of single men out there.
Find one of your own in future.

For now though, be kind to yourself.
Keep at the therapy.
Try to understand why you allowed this happen.
Why you believed his bullshit.
Why your morals didn't stop you in your tracks before it happened.
(not preaching - honestly - I'm no angel)
But stop allowing this fuckwit to rent space in your head.

verticality · 02/10/2019 14:53

I offer this in the spirit of a consolation: this is often how affairs end. It is not something that is acknowledged very often, but it is really common that it all ends in guilt, tears, recriminations, and a loss of self-worth.

I am glad you are seeking therapy. I think you need to look at why you entered this relationship in the first place, and then why you blithely sailed past a series of red flags so large that they belong in communist China. I suspect there are self-worth issues there that need some serious addressing.

You are worth a whole relationship, with someone who is single and willing to give of themselves to you. Try to remember that.

Lovemusic33 · 02/10/2019 14:54

You made mistakes but these are in the past, it’s no good feeling guilty. I have to admit I did some pretty stupid stuff after I split with my cheating abusive ex including sleeping with a married man, I think at the time I didn’t care about myself let alone other people. Do I feel guilty? Occasionally but I don’t let it ruin my life, it’s not worth it. I think you did the right thing getting an abortion, he wouldn’t have been a good father, he would lie to them like he’s lied to everyone, he wouldn’t be there for them. You don’t have any tie to him now, you need to forgive yourself and forget about him.

Stormtheprincess · 02/10/2019 15:06

It’s been 6 weeks since I ended it but I’m not getting better. If anything I’m getting worse.

I just wish I could fast forward to the part where I’m healed.

I am ashamed of my actions, all of them.

OP posts:
Greenleaveslaughing · 02/10/2019 15:06

Agree with everyone, acknowledge your regrets, realise he was never going to change his ways, and forgive yourself for your part in it all, and for falling in love, and move on.
Forgive yourself being the first step, I think.
Small steps, happy music, happy films, small treats. Sleep and function
You’ll get through this.

squeaver · 02/10/2019 15:10

Have you been to your GP? Perhaps anti-depressants would help?

DerbyshireGirly · 02/10/2019 15:12

Why are you so entitled? You seem to think you had a right to this man over the "other woman" - the only person with a right to this man's time and fidelity is his poor wife (and children, if they have any).

Now you're wallowing in self indulgent pity. Maybe think about what she's lost for a moment.

HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 02/10/2019 15:14

You might be feeling worse because the therapy is dredging stuff up. In my experience, counselling feels like stirring up a millpond. All the stuff you’d let sink to the bottom is brought up again, and just whirls around until you can deal with and get rid of it. Long-term, the pond is clear and clean. But short-term, it feels worse.

Are you keeping a recover diary/journal? That might help you. It’d be a place to vent all your feelings AND a place to record your feelings. You might think you’re feeling worse, but in fact you might simply be facing facts that you’d ignored before. So the false hope has gone, which feels depressing, but is actually a very positive step... a diary would help you see the progress you’re making. .

SVRT19674 · 02/10/2019 15:15

Courage OP. Keep up with the therapy. Expensive but well worth it and no contact. He is a lying cheat. Don't compromise your moral compass for no guy and if you do just for fun, no falling in love and caring. These kind of guys are not good news. Why women still fall for this shite is incomprehensible. I wish you the best. Don't try to second guess him.

HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 02/10/2019 15:15

The wife hasn’t lost any great prize, DerbyshireGirly. She’s (hopefully) just kicked out a serial liar and compulsive cheat.

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