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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

To be annoyed about a messages I’ve found on DH (to be) FB messenger

53 replies

WhatNext277 · 12/10/2019 18:36

Looking for some advice on how to handle this situation. There is a bit of backstory so I’ll be as brief as I can.

Me and DP are getting married in a few months. We have 2 DC together.

3 years ago he did the whole script scenario to me. Said he didn’t love me anymore, was leaving the family home to go back to his mums and that there was no one else. So after a few months of turmoil I found out there was someone else from work and confronted him. He broke down explaining to me that he hadn’t slept with her (he had been sleeping with me saying he was confused and doesn’t know if he could come back - I stupidly went along with it, hoping he would change his mind), and told me he was in love with her, said he didn’t want to hurt me after 8 years of being together but he didn’t mean for it to happen like this. It was someone he worked with. He had a group of close male friends at this place and they would all go clubbing and meet up with the women from the work place. Few of them were already couples.

Anyhow he eventually asked to come home, saying he missed me and the children. I agreed only if he promised to not go out with the work group and look for another job. He had been at this company 8 years, was senior and handed in his notice and found a new job. When he did this, he asked the director to tell no one, only the people necessary as he wanted no fuss (more like because he wanted no one to take the p*ss out of him because they all knew the situation at home and with OW).

Fast forward 3 years later, he hasn’t seen 2 of the guys since he left (he may have met them once, I can’t even remember). He hasn’t had Facebook for 3 years. He occasionally logs into messenger but since he had a new phone he hasn’t even bothered to install FB messenger (he uses WhatsApp). So he hasn’t been on it for months.

Today, I had to update FB messenger on my phone and log back in. On an iPhone it remembers login details, and his details were there (I had them saved from years ago when it all kicked off).

Curiosity got the better of me and I logged in to be nosey. There was a group chat with the 2 guys he used to go out with. Last time he spoke in it was July 2018 to say congrats to his friend having a baby. That was the last conversation between them all.

However, back in August there was this conversation that DH hasn’t read. Lets call DH Billy:
Friend 1: Billy, you still alive ?
Friend 2: Internet ban ?
Friend 1: If this was Adam asking (another old work friend), Billy would have responded by now
Friend 2: yeah, or Laura

Laura was the name of the OW from 3 years ago, the reason he left that place. Obviously everyone knew. That was the end of the conversation. He hasn’t seen any of this because he doesn’t use messenger. Seeing this today has bought it all to the surface again for me, how I felt when it happened, how much of an idiot I look to his work friends (who he doesn’t see, to avoid arguments). He meets up with 2 other guys (Adam) who he used to work with who wasn’t part of that group of friends, but have an idea of what went on. Adam and his other friend are invited to our wedding. Obviously no one from the other group of friends is because he doesn’t see them because of everything that went on.

So, do I keep this to myself ? I just want to sit here and cry. Please tell me what to do. He keeps asking me what is wrong.

OP posts:
firstimemamma · 12/10/2019 18:40

What a mess. I wouldn't marry him if I were you op, I'm sorry.

aweedropofsancerre · 12/10/2019 18:41

The whole situation sounds awful and I am
surprised you allowed him back after the first time. I know for me I couldn’t have coped with that level of betrayal and couldn’t live with the underlying fear and anxiety that he may do it again. Horrible way to live. Sounds like you haven’t recovered from his betrayal and this FB message has resurfaced the unresolved issues. Perhaps the realisation of getting married to this man is leaving you doubting whether you can fully trust him

LmaWanderlust · 12/10/2019 18:44

Unfortunately, I think you need to come clean. Getting married is a massive and important milestone in life, and you should be able to trust each other fully for it to work.

It sounds like you've haven't moved on from what happened, and you need to decide if you can or can't forgive him. It sounds like his old work friends are just teasing him about something that was the last "interesting" thing they knew about your other half, if they haven't seen him for a long time. I don't think it means anything, but the trust issues and the hurt you clearly still feel is an issue, and it sounds like you need to talk it through and think about whether you can move forward.

ChaosisntapitChaosisaladder19 · 12/10/2019 18:45

Tbh op you're soon to be dh was having his cale and eat it and you're expense. You're unnerved about it all because deep down you know more went on if they were all going out drinking together and he was away from the family home he was likely sleeping with her. Two things stick out for me you're coming up to you're wedding and what should be exciting these feelings of uncertainty have resurfaced and second you never let go of what happened.

Interestedwoman · 12/10/2019 18:45

It probably doesn't mean anything new has happened with Laura or that he's in touch with her. They were just teasing him about it.

Sorry it's brought it all back to you. Hugs xxxxx

LmaWanderlust · 12/10/2019 18:46

I also agree with the above, what he did was wrong and I definitely wouldn't have taken my partner back had he done that to me. You being upset is totally justified.

FizzyGreenWater · 12/10/2019 18:49

Not sure what anyone can say tbh OP.

'doubting whether you can fully trust him' - ?!

well yes.

It's always going to be like this if you go ahead. You know what he's done to you - what he was fully prepared to do to you. Not only you, but your children. He was fully prepared to leave his children for his OW.

No amount of time will change that.

I don't think you should have gone back to him. This won't ever really disappear, and nor should it, because it's common sense. You can't really trust him and you know what he was prepared to do to you and your kids.

Do you really want to marry him?

WhatNext277 · 12/10/2019 18:54

Thank you for your replies. I’m worried about showing him in case he says I’ve snooped.

I feel so shakey. We have been together since we were 16. Children, house (that we own), I just wanted to marry him because I do love him but all this that has happened how can I carry on? When we split up and I found out the truth, I was a mess, I lost over a stone and became under weight, went off work sick, depression tablets etc. I’m just not coping right now and he is asking me what he has done wrong

OP posts:
Lowbrow · 12/10/2019 19:23

I wouldn’t marry him, he has shown you he is a cheater and liable to toss you and your children away for any women he fancies in the future.

You shouldn’t be scared about him accusing you of snooping. He is an unfaithful man, of course you are never going to trust him again.

You met him when you were only sixteen with no life experience. It’s such a young age and I believe many women who meet their partners as teenagers find it harder to leave as they have no other relationship experience. They know nothing else, they have never lived as an adult able to make their own decisions on their own.

Aquamarine1029 · 12/10/2019 19:27

You can't, and don't, trust him. Why on earth would you marry him?

Windmillwhirl · 12/10/2019 19:35

Don't bury your head in the sand. These feelings will not just go away. Talk to him, tell him what you saw.

FizzyGreenWater · 12/10/2019 19:39

I think you should postpone the wedding, or at least start thinking in your own mind that you do not have to have this wedding and it is always, always possible to change your mind.

It is not a done deal.

I think you need to really sit and think about whether marrying him is the right thing to do.

It doesn't sound like it.

AnyFucker · 12/10/2019 19:40

Papering over the cracks really doesn't work, does it ?

FizzyGreenWater · 12/10/2019 19:43

Talk to him, tell him what you saw.

But what would be the point of that? He hasn't done anything wrong. It can't be 'sorted out'. OP could show him the messages and he'd be profuse in apologies yet again, reiterate that he is sorry and reassure that he's never going to reply and he hadn't seen them... and none of that will change that feeling in the pit of OP's stomach that nothing will actually ever really be right again because she knows deep down what he did to her and the kids.

OP, you are with him because you've been with him forever and it's all you've ever known and you have kids with him, so you went back.

You shouldn't feel that you've done something wrong - you haven't.

But for a lot of people - most people - this wouldn't be something you can get over. It's not a case of 'forgiving'. It's simply a case of knowing what someone is capable of deep down and simply processing and accepting that information and after that you just do not feel the same about them.

Jellybeansincognito · 12/10/2019 19:53

Unfortunately when men behave like this, I don’t think it ever gets better? He’ll just find another Laura.

If you didn’t trust him to work with her, then I’m not sure how you can continue your life with him?

AliciaWhiskers · 12/10/2019 20:06

I'm not sure I agree with a lot of the PP.

You agreed to him coming back with new rules in place to enable you to rebuild your trust in him - he had to change jobs and not go out with work colleagues - and by the sounds of it he has done those things that he promised you and stuck by his promises. This is how people regain trust - by making promises and sticking to them, by doing what they say they are going to do.

Before you read the messages today, did you still have doubts about him? Did you trust him? Did you worry he would meet someone else and leave you? If the answer to those are no, then it sounds as though you have rebuilt the trust and moved forward, and you have just been reminded of the past by reading these messages and it's stirred up old feelings - which is normal. However, if you still doubted him, but just kept quiet about it, that is different, and on that basis you need to think very seriously about marrying this man.

Mermaidsinthesand · 12/10/2019 20:11

You haven't forgiven him for it. Trust is gone cant get it back

Move on

C0untDucku1a · 12/10/2019 20:13

I dont think he can be blamed for today. But i wouldnt marry him based on his previous.

Elieza · 12/10/2019 20:29

I’m not sure what to think. He’s not done anything new has he, or do you think there’s more on some other type of social media or something?

It’s just brought everything back. You decided previously to give him another chance. Are you rethinking that? Nothing’s changed. If you can get past this and you trust him all should be ok. If you don’t trust him that’s another story.

Loveislandaddict · 12/10/2019 20:36

Unless there has been any new behaviour changes, then he hasn’t done anything wrong. The message has sparked feelings. He wasn’t party to the conversation. All it reveals is that his workmates knew about Laura

He did all the right things such as changing jobs. Has his behaviour changed since..

However, it does show you maybe don’t trust him, and if so, postpone the wedding.

Zaphodsotherhead · 12/10/2019 20:43

All those people saying 'don't marry him, he might do the same thing again' - what about if he does do it again and they aren't married? No legal ties - he can walk away, force the sale of the house, etc etc.

At least if you're married and he leaves for another woman, you have a degree of legal protection for you and the children.

Or you start proceedings to split up now and try to do it in a civilised fashion. Don't wait until he's just waiting to shack up with another woman...

Belfield · 12/10/2019 20:47

He hasn't done anything additional wrong. The problem is that it opened old wounds. I don't see how speaking to him will assist. He did what he did. Most would deem it unforgiveable. It s a matter for you to decide if you can fully forgive. You were so young when you met and you have children. It's so difficult

ConfCall · 12/10/2019 20:47

The person who joked about Laura was being really crass and disrespectful. That’s not your fiancé’s fault. However, he’s a snake for cheating and you have these unresolved issues - you’ve papered over the cracks - the chances are, there’ll be another Laura or two in future. Sorry OP.

BumbleBeee69 · 12/10/2019 20:55

Okay I'm confused Confused

He did everything asked of him right ? He changed jobs ? He came off Social Media ? He stopped associating with the group that included the OW ? People knowing he was messing around is hard to contain, but he moved jobs etc.. so what's changed ? He hasn't actually done anything has he ?? Was he still in touch with the OW then ???

can someone explain ... I'm lost Hmm

elizalovelace · 12/10/2019 21:36

Think very carefully about marrying a man who has already betrayed you.