Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Messed up situation with married guy

41 replies

Puffins32 · 01/11/2019 17:20

A year ago I met a man who was recently separated. We formed a friendship which involved daily messaging, talking for hours, meeting for coffee once in a while. We were very close. Three months in and he kissed me. I fell hard and fast and he perused me hard.
He started to do the whole hot and cold thing and it felt like he would lead me on until i would bite and then pull back again.
Anyway...he got back with his wife and said things are still rocky and he values my friendship. I started to see other people.
He still messaged me especially at night and I started to feel uncomfortable about this as it felt like emotional affair territory.

I decided to have a frank conversation with him and said I was struggling with friendship as I had feelings, that I feel a bit used and felt he was only available when he was alone or bored. I said he was in denial about our situation but he assured me he just saw me as a friend but he is very attracted to me.
It has been a year of close friendship and a lot has happened. I do have feelings for him but I see this bad side to him and i constantly wonder what I am to him.
I asked him how he would feel if I got into a relationship and settled with someone and he said he would be happy if I was...I’m so confused because when he was seeing me his feelings were so strong....I feel so devalued and used as an ego boost.
I know I need to cut ties and I have lots of times only to go back to being friends a while later.
I feel sad because we do have a close friendship and I’ve even met his kids and last time we kissed was seven months ago, he said he wanted a relationship with me back then...now he’s back with his wife and I’m struggling with the whole dynamic here.

I also work with this guy so I do see him at work but I have been cutting him short and not replying to messages etc after our chat.

My head is in a spin. Please kick me up the arse.

OP posts:
Kezebel · 02/11/2019 00:18

A year ago I met a man who was recently separated.

Ever consider he wasn’t?

I asked him how he would feel if I got into a relationship and settled with someone and he said he would be happy if I was...

This is important. Are you moving on? If not...why aren’t you?

Have you honestly been waiting for the last 7 months since you last kissed for...what, exactly?

Come on, OP. Love yourself more!

FabbyChix · 02/11/2019 00:48

Don’t you feel bad pining over another woman’s husband your just a distraction they have a life a past.

TheStuffedPenguin · 02/11/2019 07:21

His wanting to be friends with you is his way of keeping you on the back burner - for the next time when he feels like a bit of fun . Block him, be formal at work , do not engage . I've been there ...could have written parts of your post . This is the classic cheater's script . He is well versed in it and knows how to work it .

Abi47 · 02/11/2019 09:33

He has drawn you in, like an addiction. Especially if you have known them a long time, you think they are a good person when actually they are just out for what they can get. You prioritise them and lose yourself in the process. Meanwhile they are living their life with their family. Try to stop, try to break the chain. You might love them, but they only 'fancy' you and thats a huge difference.

myolivetree · 02/11/2019 10:47

Pull the player off OP. It hurts but dangling on a thread to him will be more damaging to you.

It will drain your thoughts, your happiness, your self esteem, your time, your future.

Choose a new purpose. Cut him out of your life and your mind. Be bright and breezy when you see him but be blank to him. HE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.

He is using you.

myolivetree · 02/11/2019 10:48

That should be

Pull the PLASTER off OP!

bluebell34567 · 02/11/2019 10:55

agree with @TheMistressQuickly.
he is a lier, cheater and a user. keep your boundaries strict at work and all time.
dont be upset. this is an experience for you and put in a 'not to do again' box.

LellyMcKelly · 02/11/2019 11:04

Block and move on. He’s using you. Life is too short to put up with that shit. You’re his 2 bit mistress in a crappy emotional affair. Remember that he’s the kind of man who is ok with treating his wife badly by leading on another woman. He’s not worth your time.

DidntLikeRugbyAnyway · 02/11/2019 11:13

How do you think his wife would view this?

You’re an option to him, that’s all. He likes the attention. I can’t imagine his wife would be happy.

Puffins32 · 02/11/2019 14:39

Yes I do feel bad that I’m pining over a married man. I’ve agonised over it but it hasn’t made my feelings go away. However, I do want to move on and walk away.
When I’ve walked away before, I’ve always hoped he would miss me enough to come after me...for my own ego I suppose, so I don’t have to admit this past year I’ve spent fawning over someone who doesn’t want me, telling this man I love him for him to just use me and drop me on his terms.
I am worth more and he doesn’t deserve my love. I’m ready to walk on now, for me...not to manipulate him into missing me.

OP posts:
lifegoes · 02/11/2019 14:46

Good plan @Puffins32 it's hard and unfortunately it's understandable that some don't understand how hard it is. Yea he's married but he's doing this to his wife.

You can walk way knowing you ended it and refuse to compromise your self worth

TheMistressQuickly · 02/11/2019 17:53

I did this to myself for three years. It’s self harm and self abuse. You know this deep down.

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I still dream of this guy and think about him at least 10% a day. But, I don’t act on it. I don’t respond to the crumbs he gives me. I want more. I loved him but I was a plaything to him. I have blocked him on everything and I feel better.

Please get away from him x

TayTaylor · 02/11/2019 18:28

Do you know if he has kids? Was it ever more than just a kiss?

Do you really want to be THAT other woman? Despite how you feel, if he is doing this to his wife, lets say he leaves her - would you ever trust him to be faithful to you?

Puffins32 · 02/11/2019 18:36

Yes it feels like self abuse. I am embarrassed that he thinks I’m that worthless to pick up and drop when he wants and I’m embarrassed I keep going back for seconds, hoping he finally loves me when i know deep down he doesn’t. Not even deep down, he just doesn’t.

Yes he has three children. I have one of my own.
I do need to get off this merry go round once and for all. I don’t even like him anymore if that makes sense. I think I was in love with the illusion of what it would be like if he felt the same as me. The guy who left his wife because he was unhappy and met me. That’s who I loved....not this guy, who is willing to risk everything for an ego stroke....he doesn’t even want me and I’m wasting my energy, time and future on him. I’ve already wasted a damn year and he will keep hitting me up for as long as i allow it and then turn round all surprised and say what you on about we are just friends.

OP posts:
TayTaylor · 02/11/2019 19:05

I don't need to spell it out, seems like you already know your real value to this man. The only person I feel sorry for his wife, no disrespect to you but men today juat don't
get how important marriage is. If he wanted a fun free life, stay single and stag about as much as you want, but don't
ruin someone else's life (and kids involved!!!). Sounds like a complete to55er to me

BuildingABridge · 21/01/2020 22:04

@Puffins32 how are you now? Genuinely interested to hear how things are now with your situation, pm if you’d prefer x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread