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

Caught my husband and now I'm a mess

343 replies

bluehairandheartbroken · 22/10/2019 13:34

I've been on here a while but NC in case it's outing, and because I'm just so ashamed I've let this happen to me. Please be gentle, I'm an absolute mess. I'll try not to drip feed but my head is all over the place.

Bit of background - me and my husband (I can't even write DH) had some issues for a while, mainly just lack of communication and grown apart a bit, no cheating (well I was totally confident there wasn't and now I'm questioning everything). We got back on track (or so I thought, things have been great and we've both been making much more effort with each other. I've actually felt happy for the first time in a long time and he seemed happy too - we constantly tell each other we love each other, cuddle, the sex has improved/got more regular too (which I know now from reading other posts on here should have been a red flag. I'm so fucking stupid).

We're moving house very soon - deposit is all paid, kids have chosen their rooms, we have a moving in date and have our move out date for our current house. We've both said how we're really looking forward to a fresh start.

During our issues I had some major self esteem issues and kept convincing myself he was cheating. I checked his phone a few times (I know I shouldn't have and I'm not proud), never found anything. I've got help for myself with the anxiety and self esteem and was finally feeling back on track. Fast forward to this week and something has niggled at me and I couldnt figure out why - he was on his phone a lot but he's always been like that and it's never bothered me before.

Anyway - I looked at his phone last night before bed and saw a text from a well known hook up site (not even a dating site - this site is well known for being purely for sex). At first I tried to think maybe it was innocent as we've actually talked about joining this very site as a couple! But nope. I've found him, he's looking for couples and single women. He's even been verified by someone which I think usually means you have to have met up with them or done something on cam with them. He's been on the site for 3 weeks and was last active on there last night.

I'm absolutely heartbroken, literally I'm beside myself, I know it sounds pathetic and I thought I was stronger than this but I've called in sick to work and all I've done all morning is sit on the floor and sob and retch/try not to throw up. I know everyone says this but I can't believe he's done this. Only a couple of weeks ago he was telling me he can't believe he nearly lost me, I'm the best thing that ever happened to him and he is going to try everything to show me how much he loves and appreciates me.

I've been with him my whole adult life, since school, we're married and have 2 DC (9 and 7). I don't know how you can do this to someone you're supposed to love. We have a family and a life together, we had so much planned, I really thought it was going to work out after all the crap we've been through - I really thought we were stronger. I feel absolutely sick to my stomach that he might have actually met with someone and done something with them.

He's at work and I don't know what to do. Don't judge me but initially I was going to try and wait til we had moved house (it's not long away now) because the deposit is paid, we can't get it back, nowhere will accept me on my own as my income isn't enough for some reason - despite the fact I work full time. However this was before I realised he'd been verified (meaning he's probably met/chatted very closely with someone) and now I don't think I can pretend for that long and keep having sex with him.

What the fuck do I do? I'm absolutely heartbroken, I just keep thinking about my poor kids, having to give them up every other fucking weekend and being on my own, having to give them up for part of Christmas. I know I'm over thinking it but it's just not fair. I didn't want any of this. I've bent over backwards to make this work, I'm not even being big headed (if anything I have zero confidence right now) but I've been the perfect fucking wife. No one will love and care for that man like I have, I do so much for him. I keep myself looking nice, we have a good sex life. Why is it never enough for so many of these lying bastards? We have a family and a life together, we are supposed to love each other.

I'm thinking now I need to confront him tonight but I'm so scared. Partly because of the house situation and partly because once I do it, there's no going back and my life has changed forever in a way that I never even fucking wanted. Though in fairness I have cried solidly since 8am with no sign of being able to pull myself together so the choice might be out of my hands as he'll know something is up! I actually want to crawl into a hole and die right now. I didn't want this. We were happy, life was finally picking up. We nearly split a few months ago and now I wish we fucking had because my heart is in pieces all over again.

OP posts:
Muffin3 · 22/10/2019 18:59

Oh I’m so sorry. At least you’ve got all the evidence you need and he can’t talk his way out of it! You’ve got this!

JavaQ · 22/10/2019 18:59

you were BOTH going to join the site?

Is he pre-vetting people for you both?!

AnyFucker · 22/10/2019 19:00

Give over, JavaQ

anothernamejeeves · 22/10/2019 19:01

You said you were both looking at joining the site- is there a possibility you led him to think you wanted an open relationship?

sugarlips2015 · 22/10/2019 19:01

Hi, so sorry to hear this. I can't imagine being betrayed when you have so much together.

I've been with my boyfriend 18 months, I knew five months in that he cheated 7 weeks in, and found out recently there was another woman three months in. We live together now and have been trying for a baby and we're about to love house, but he's having wobbles about a baby and I'm unsure this is right. So different to your situation but similar in that awful timing, we are meant to be starting a renovation venture and I wouldn't give up my nice house to move to a wreck, yet I need to pay fees and there's a couple in love with my house who've paid for a survey.

All I can advise is there's no "right" way to deal with this. People will say once a cheater always a cheater and you leave if you have an ounce of self respect. People (probs not on Mumsnet!) will say relationships can survive infedility. I'm sure you'll feel pressure to try for the kids too. Just remember there is no right or wrong path. You have the choice.

I will say it's never the same again after cheating (or attempts to?). Something is lost and broken. Whether there is enough good in the relationship to put yourself through the hard work is for you to figure out. You do have to be careful to assess if fear/low self esteem is driving you to stay as that never ends well.

Best of luck, take extra care of yourself right now and get support.

AnyFucker · 22/10/2019 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

bluehairandheartbroken · 22/10/2019 19:08

Thanks @AnyFucker - no there was absolutely way he thought it was an open relationship. He's fully aware that sticking his dick in someone else behind my back without my knowledge is cheating.

He wasn't pre-vetting them either. He certainly didn't mention me or check my availability when he was suggesting dates to meet this person to hook up.

OP posts:
Kittykat93 · 22/10/2019 19:09

So the posters suggesting this man is innocent and was doing it without the intention of cheating - why on earth has he kept it from the op? You'd think he would mention plastering dick picks online and meeting up for sex with strangers.

Curlysue2019 · 22/10/2019 19:10

jeeves ffs he is cheating on her - she did not ask for this!- stop trying to justify it.

Itallt0omuch · 22/10/2019 19:12

He's a filthy cheat. You'll never be able to trust him again. I'm so sorry he's done this to you twice.

bluehairandheartbroken · 22/10/2019 19:13

I've confronted him. I had to. So he asked what was for dinner and I said I'm not sure I've lost my appetite a bit as I'm a bit preoccupied wondering how you're going to explain this? And held up my phone with his profile on it. First he said "It's not me". Then said he was "just looking". I said ok, log in to your profile and give me your phone then. He went and locked himself in the bathroom and now his profile has gone. Ive still got a screenshot though plus screenshots of all the messages.

He's now claiming he was never planning to meet anyone, he just likes chatting to people and he's a fucking idiot. He clearly thinks I'm one too. I've told him to get what stuff he needs and go. He's pissing about in the bathroom now. I really need him to go now before I break down and he tries to hug me Sad

OP posts:
Hotpinkangel19 · 22/10/2019 19:13

I'm so sorry OP

YouJustDoYou · 22/10/2019 19:16

He's now claiming he was never planning to meet anyone

That's what they all say. Every. Single. Time.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 22/10/2019 19:17

Sorry OP but you deserve better Flowers

MrsGrindah · 22/10/2019 19:18

Stay strong OP. Imagine us all stood right beside you ready to step in and tell him to fuck right off! You don’t have to decide your whole future tonight but you do need to fake some strength to get him out the door and give you the space you need.

Peggywoolley · 22/10/2019 19:19

I feel sick for you reading this OP. I am so sorry. What an absolute prick.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 22/10/2019 19:19

You have proof he was planning to meet someone blue in your home at times too. A hug isn't going to fix this.

Curlysue2019 · 22/10/2019 19:20

You are so brilliant op - you have done the right thing. Hold your head high - he is an absolute dickhead!

Curlyeyelash · 22/10/2019 19:22

Get angry OP don't get weak. I know it's hard but the anger will give you the fuel you need to get him out of the house, at least until you can gather your thoughts a bit and form a plan of action.

Remember he will only try to wear you down through any means he can find.

BastardGoDarkly · 22/10/2019 19:23

Oh op, its utter shit you're having to deal with this, but deal with it you must.

Tell the bastard hes busted and to sling his bloody hook.

You're gonna be ok Flowers

jess3817 · 22/10/2019 19:23

Well done! You've done the right thing. Stay strong.

PSILoveWine · 22/10/2019 19:28

You can do this OP don't let him hug you I know it's hard x

Whatwouldbigfatfannydo · 22/10/2019 19:29

@sugarlips2015

With all due respect, your relationship is less than 2 years old and you've been cheated on twice but find this treatment acceptable (and are willing to bring a child I to it). If 'once a cheat' is not always a cheat then why cheat a 2nd time? Doesnt make much sense. When someone tells you who they are, believe them...
The OP obviously doesn't want this life for herself and, frankly, deserves infinitely better (along with her young dc).

spagbog5 · 22/10/2019 19:29

So sorry

Veterinari · 22/10/2019 19:33

You gave him a chance OP.
You asked for honesty and to see his phone - he’s lied minimised and continued to deceive you. Next ge’ll Be gaslighting you by telling youyou’re Overreacting. You aren’t it’s the standard cheaters script. He’s not sorry he hurt you. He’s Sorry you caught him.

Swipe left for the next trending thread