Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

discovered wife's affair

129 replies

doomslayer · 01/12/2019 01:52

This is my first time posting on any site like this and not a big social media user - so apologies for any breaches of etiquette or incorrect terminology, and thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice.

My wife and I have been together 20 years and married for 12. We have two amazing children aged 5 and 8. Found out a few days ago that she has had a secret relationship with another man that started 10 years ago.

I discovered some flirty and highly suggestive text messages I was not meant to see (she forgot about icloud). These gave me some dates they met up or were planning to, which were mainly around her work meetings. When I confronted her about the most recent, she lied. Said she came straight home after the meeting and met no one. It all started to unravel from there.

She has since admitted that she had an emotional affair with this man, though still occasionally back tracks and tries to minimize it. She claims that this ended a long time ago and they are now just 'normal' friends who keep in touch by e-mail and meet occasionally. I've pointed out that 'normal' friends don't need to be kept secret, and there is no reason to lie about meeting one. I asked to see all the e-mails but all conveniently deleted. She has told him now to never to contact her again, but no sign she would have stopped seeing him if she hadn't got caught.

She says there has never been anything sexual but lots of inconsistencies in her answers to questions. She says she kept it secret due to "pushing boundaries" and "over familiarity" earlier in the relationship (all on his part), before feeling ashamed and "breaking it off" to become just friends. She also says they hadn't met for years until recently, but this doesn't fit with the texts I have. I find it hard to believe her and think I'm just getting trickle-truth.

To top it off, we moved for a new job I got a couple of years ago, which is closer to family. But she did not want me to apply at first as we had been in our previous area a long time and had friends, kids in school etc. etc. I agreed to leave it and wrote it off, but she changed her mind out of the blue at the last minute and I applied. I have now found out that her change of heart coincided with the other man also getting a job which requires him to stay in the area we moved to for a week or to every month. She admits she knew this but swears it was nothing to do with her change of heart. I again find it very hard (impossible really) to believe that, and we moved somewhere that provides more opportunity for her to meet him.

I really don't know where to go from here, and just want to try and get as many perspectives as possible.

Thanks

OP posts:
JolieOBrien · 01/12/2019 19:06

It is his choice...

dottydolly72 · 01/12/2019 19:28

I know you want to see some hope here but I stand by what I said before. Far too many lies your head will never get past this. I'm two years on next week since finding out my H lied his arse off .. oh and fast forward 4 months and yet more unfolded!! There's more to this, it won't go away and if you try to move on like I did all you will do is cause yourself more pain. You seem like a nice guy, don't let this woman take the p*ss a minute longer.

doomslayer · 01/12/2019 19:43

@Kit19 @ISmellBabies @PersonaNonGarter Thanks. Logically I know I can't trust her and it's not going to all get explained away as something trivial. But not always thinking clearly right now.

OP posts:
doomslayer · 01/12/2019 19:44

@dottydolly72 thanks

OP posts:
doomslayer · 03/12/2019 16:01

I dug deeper. I found more. All as bad as it seemed. No doubt now. She finally admitted some of it - but sure there is still more. She would sneak out of work and take him home to our house while I was at work. Hotels other times. Kicked her out now and will start looking for a solicitor.

OP posts:
SuperbMonkey · 03/12/2019 16:05

Well done @doomslayer. I admire the fact that you had the courage to do that. It’s really difficult to accept but that’s all you can do.

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 17:13

Thanks @SuperbMonkey - last thing I feel right now is brave though.

OP posts:
dottydolly72 · 03/12/2019 17:36

@doomslayer sorry from experience there's always more which I did warn you of. Awful shit timing I know but absolutely well done you for kicking her sorry ass out! Get yourself a good solicitor and don't look back x

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 18:50

Thanks @dottydolly72

OP posts:
dottydolly72 · 03/12/2019 19:23

Be kind to yourself, try to eat, sleep and do one positive thing a day for you! It's shit I'm not going to sugarcoat it for you. The one person you thought you could trust does this and your left questioning everything. Hugs x

Stressedout10 · 03/12/2019 19:29

Sorry to hear that. How are the kids doing?

JolieOBrien · 03/12/2019 19:42

@doomslayer

Does your wife's lover have a partner? If they do tell them about this because she has a right to know imho

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 19:45

Ok at the moment. They don't know yet. Will have to tell them soon though.

OP posts:
JolieOBrien · 03/12/2019 19:49

@doomslayer

Do you mean the children? I would tell them after Christmas if I was you.

wherearemymarbles · 03/12/2019 19:55

Sorry to hear. Your wife is a twat and you’ll find someone worthy of you.

wherearemymarbles · 03/12/2019 19:59

And please do a dna test though of course i can see why you might not want to.

wherearemymarbles · 03/12/2019 20:08

But if they turn out not to yours you have more control of the financial side of things

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 20:09

@JolieOBrien - yes and a daughter with her. It's on my ever growing list of utterly crappy things to deal with.

OP posts:
rebbonk · 03/12/2019 20:11

Ye Gods! You know exactly what you need to do, face up to things and get rid!

RhubarbTea · 03/12/2019 20:12

I'm so sorry this has happened, she has behaved horribly and you must be in shock. I am glad you got more of the truth but sad for you too because it must be a lot to take on. Be kind to yourself and once the dust has settled, consider seeing a counsellor (just for you) to help you process everything you are feeling and thinking. 10 years is a long time.

SweetAsSpice · 03/12/2019 20:23

Oh fuck OP what a shocker. 10 years is beyond a betrayal. In your own home Sad

Your strength and self respect will see you through.

Keep talking, to friends/family/on here/professionals. This is indeed a can of worms that you just don’t deserve.

beenwhereyouare · 03/12/2019 20:37

This is a terrible way for anyone to be treated; I'll never understand how or why people feel entitled to cheat. It seems like she would have been too busy with babies to have time!

Before you even mention DNA testing, please see a solicitor. Financial control is one thing, but please don't do anything that might cause you to lose rights to them. A family law expert would probably be the best choice for sorting custody, housing, DNA results, etc.

Whatever the results, biologically or not, those children are yours. You ARE their father, in every way that matters. I understand the need to know, but don't let her treachery affect your relationship with your DC.

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 20:51

Thanks everyone. The scale of this has not sunk in yet. But just fully realising she has basically used me for decades. It's just evil.

@beenwhereyouare thanks for that. The paternity perhaps terrifies me the most at the moment. I have raised the kids and they ARE MINE (biological parent or not). But I'm scared she may strip that away too.

OP posts:
Kit19 · 03/12/2019 21:07

Ahhhhhh I’m sorry @doomslayer it’s such a terrible shock to realise someone who you thought loved you has treated you so badly

Be kind to yourself, get legal advice & expect to feel all over the place at the moment. It’s completely normal - your whole world has been turned upside down

Have you got people you can talk to in rl?

doomslayer · 03/12/2019 21:23

Thanks @Kit19 my parents came down, my brother coming tomorrow. They've been great and always have.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread