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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

Wife still in touch with affair partner even though we're still together. What do I do?

53 replies

BristolRichard · 24/11/2019 15:51

My wife of 14 years - with who I have three children, including one with serious behavioral and learning issues - earlier this year began an affair with a man she met on a work trip abroad. It has been a difficult time for lots of reasons. Unknown to me at the time they spent the night together (although she insists nothing much happened at this point) and were then intensively in touch via messenger and whatsapp over many weeks. They subsequently had another weekend together where they had unprotected sex multiple times. After all this came out we were in turmoil but agreed to give things another go, on the basis she would cut all ties with the other man and focus on us. Anyway, despite starting off well I I recently found out they were still in touch with each other sending messages and pictures and although we're still officially giving things a go for a few months, I know they are still talking to each other most days. (This is very hard as things are actually good between us most of the time, we laugh together and have become quite close again, we're sleeping in the same bed, having sex regularly etc) So I have a horrible dilemma - do I ignore their liaisons and hope that it fizzles out, or give her an ultimatum and say all contact between them needs to cease or we split? The problem then becomes who moves out - do I ask her to leave as she's having the affair or do I leave? She's got little income so I will have to keep paying for the mortgage and everything else even if I leave, but it seems unfair I should go and lose my house and everything else. Any thoughts welcome...

OP posts:
Patroclus · 25/11/2019 13:26

Just get away from it, please. Save your own mental health.

1300cakes · 26/11/2019 00:58

So - yes - leaving is the easier option, often... For me - it made me/us get to a whole different level of communication, opening up and connection with to each other.

But this isn't what has happened here. OP decided to stay, but instead of recommiting herself to the relationship, his DW hasn't changed at all and is most likely still having the affair. Your two situations aren't comparable.

RantyAnty · 26/11/2019 03:43

You already told her last time the condition of staying together was her cutting ties with him.

So now it's time to see a solicitor.

What choice do you have? You can stick around while she continues to treat you with contempt and it sounds like she's checked out of the marriage a while ago.

You didn't say the ages of your DC.

Stop sleeping with her and get an STI check.
Have her sleep in another room.
Gather up all important papers
Go to a solicitor and get advice so you can file for divorce and put the house up for sale.

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