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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

Need help ending my marriage

23 replies

MoveOverMauve · 07/12/2019 10:10

Back 10 years ago me and H we’re going through a rough patch. We used to argue constantly, and basically couldn’t stand to be in the same room as each other. He became a very selfish and miserable person. I was desperately unhappy. I tried to talk about it and all I got was “I’m fine it’s all in
Your head there is nothing wrong” he would then close down any conversation I tried to have with him about it.

Long story short, he was cheating on me with a temp from work. It was very short lived as I found out and told her husband in anger. It ended between them, He then left me as his story then changed and apparently he hadn’t been happy for years. Prior to this I wanted to end our marriage as I was so unhappy but after I found out I desperately wanted him back. I did a complete U turn and massively did the pick me dance. I’m so ashamed looking back now on how I behaved back then.

We got back together and things were a lot better for a few years, we were actually happy but then he reverted back to his old self.
We’re now 10 years down the line since he cheated and I’ve not been happy for quite a few years, recently I’ve been looking at houses on the market for me and the DC as I have considered separating but I’m struggling to say those words out loud. I can’t tolerate him, he is so fucking miserable it’s unreal. And the constant moaning about absolutely everything. Everything is such a huge ordeal with him.

The kids are now picking up his ways and are speaking to me in the same rude manner. When I pull them up on it the eldest quite often says “it’s alright for Dad to say that.

He is the most unaffectionate person, no affection there at all, absolutely nothing. Not even during sex, he no longer “does kissing” to be honest I feel unloved. He also doesn’t do compliments either, apparently I haven’t looked nice for 13 years. If I ever ask his opinion the answer is “stop fishing for compliments”

A few weeks back we went out with another couple, for a little while now I’ve had a inkling that my H likes the wife. I’m now certain he does. As soon as he saw her he said she looked really nice. This actually made me feel gutted. Kept sitting by her touching her arm, he was all over her all night. She did get a little drunk and was laughing away at his jokes. But towards me he kept making little digs. We had to walk down a really steep bank and H was in the middle of us both he grabbed her and said let me help you. Then linked arms with her and started walking like that. Whilst I slipped. He then commented saying I was showing him up again.
At the end of the night he gave her the biggest hug (something I very rarely get)
This couple are very kissy cuddley towards friends so went completely unnoticed by them.

The husband of the couple said to me when his wife and H were at the bar that H has been his absolute rock lately as they have been going through a rough patch, H has been coaching him to buy her flowers etc and how to get the intimacy back. I was absolutely floored.

I actually silently cried on the way home, This will sound so pathetic but the fact is I was completely jealous. They are lovely people BTW but there now asking to go out with us again and I just can’t see my H be like that towards another woman.

This was the turning point for me, that night I knew it was the end of our marriage but I didn’t want to say anything as I knew how pathetic I sounded. I was going to wait until the next day, and then basically bottled it as it’s so close to Christmas and haven’t brought up that night at all.

I need to find the courage to speak out, but I just don’t know how.

OP posts:
Louise91417 · 07/12/2019 10:20

Poor you, how have you put up with this treatment. Seems he is using any opportunity to belittle you. Your worth more than this. You have mentioned your dc picking up his ways, use this as your driving force to leave. Seems your children have seen your dh totally lack of respect toward you for so long they are now losing respect for you because you have put up with it. (Sorry if that sounds harsh) you need to leave, life is too short to put up with this nasty little man.Flowers

Chilledout11 · 07/12/2019 10:35

I think you need to leave. I wouldn't have been able get back together after the affair. Can you find somewhere to live and start making plans.

Paddy1234 · 07/12/2019 10:37

You need to end it - he has absolutely no respect for you
Actually my heart breaks for you ❤️

MsNobodyHere · 07/12/2019 10:40

What a twat. You do not deserve to be treated like that OP. He isn't even bothering to hide it so it's not like he can't see this coming. I think he's behaving like this towards you so you'll end it because he doesn't have the guts and whilst he's in the family home he still gets a comfortable lifestyle.

abitlostandalwayshungry · 07/12/2019 10:47

...I need to find the courage to speak out, but I just don’t know how.

You could use the time before Christmas to plan the separation in detail. Most importantly Talk to a solicitor to find out your exact rights and get an overview of your financial situation.

Work up the LTB-plan with a friend/ therapist/ councillor, put steps in action against a timeline.

Once you did all this you will have the words to speak up and tell him, because you are not walking into uncertainty.

Good luck to you, you deserve better and I'm so glad you know it!

bluebell34567 · 07/12/2019 10:49

end asap. dont give any more of your days for him. he will mess up the christmas, too.

bluebell34567 · 07/12/2019 10:50

he is disgusting.

Lozzerbmc · 07/12/2019 11:03

Poor you this is a sad post. You could make 2020 your year and leave him for your sake as well as your children. You will all be so much happier. Can you get some legal advice as to where you stand re house/finances? Do you have good friends to help you?

He wont change, and you could stagger along in the marriage being unhappy until he cheats again. Whats the point of that really? Read some self help books to give you strength. You can do it!!!

MoveOverMauve · 07/12/2019 11:46

I’ve got a friend I can speak to.

I will definitely need to see a solicitor sooner rather than later as our situation is complicated as I originally had a property with a lot of equity (inheritance) prior to meeting him. I honestly believe this is the main factor in him not leaving 10 years ago. Back then he was desperately unhappy however we do live quite a comfortable life and IMO he would rather put up and shut up.

I regret getting back with him after the affair, at the time it was my way out that I desperately wanted. I don’t know what happened as up until that point I no longer wanted to be with him as I was unhappy for years. But I completely flipped once someone else was interested in him and I did everything in my power to get him back. It makes no sense.

OP posts:
Herocomplex · 07/12/2019 11:46

I think the devastating thing here for you is that he has demonstrated that he is capable of doing all the things that you’d like to be between you but it’s for someone else, not you. Of course you are jealous.

Write down what he want to say. It might clarify your feelings anyway. If you can say how you’re feeling to him it might help you both to realise what’s going on.

It’s extraordinarily lonely to be where you are. I hope your future is brighter.

JeSuisPrest · 07/12/2019 12:16

You just need to get a sentence in your head and practice it over and over. I think I said something like "This isn't working for me any more and and want to end our marriage". The relief you will feel once the words are out is indescribable. I'd suffered affairs and gas lighting and really wasn't sure I was doing the right thing but the morning I had to put our small child in a freezing cold car at 5am to go out looking for him when he called me drunk and crying was my light bulb moment. Sounds like you've had yours, although most marriages end due to death by a thousand cuts rather than a significant event ime.

CandyFlossSkies · 07/12/2019 14:47

You wanted him back because this was probably part of the grieving process but just because someone else wants him, doesn't mean he's right for her or for you. You will be better prepared this time for that emotional reaction. You have enough history between you now to know that this is the right choice. Who knows how he feels, but I think it's unlikely that he loves you. Be kind to yourself and be prepared for any type of emotional reaction. If he acts all distant and cool, don't be tempted to chase him.

Thatagain · 07/12/2019 15:06

Sounds like we have the same man in our lives. I will be leaving on new year's eve as I can't go on feeling like I am second or third in the queue for kindness. I am sorry to hear your situation as I can associate with you. You need to go to. Good luck op. I wouldn't be seen in public with my partner as he is inbarrasing to himself never mind how I feel and yet it's all in my head. Anyone alce leaving their dp on new years Eve?

richteasandcheese · 07/12/2019 15:20

Solicitor, ducks in a row, go. He's unlikely to put up a fight. Sending an unmumsnetty hug - I'm separating from my husband and it is not an easy road, but eventually, we WILL be happier

MoveOverMauve · 07/12/2019 16:14

CandyFloss very wise words from you there. He will be distant and I am the type of person to chase him. That’s exactly what I did last time, constant messages and the more I messaged the more he back off as that’s the person he is. Must remember to not chase

Thatagain I’m so sorry to read your post. I despise the comment “it’s all in your head” it gets trotted out to many times as a get out clause. Good luck for your future.

Rich tea you are so right. We will be much happier.

OP posts:
MoveOverMauve · 07/12/2019 16:27

I didn’t mention in my opening post as it was too long winded as it was.

But I need to move quicker than than later now as just before the incident in my OP with this couple, the day I actually saw the light.
We put a deposit on a new build house. The house wasn’t going to be ready for atleast a year possibly more like 18 months. The deposit was refundable, so no rush about me dropping the bomb I had plenty of time.

However, the reason for my post was that time is now not on my side. The developer rang DH last week to say the plot we originally wanted (much bigger garden and double garage with large driveway as opposed to a single garage) is now available did we want to swap. He agreed without consulting me as it was a no brainer for the same price. This house will be ready soon and we need to exchange contacts soon and are now going down a part exchange route. The agents are taking pictures next week and we are going on the market after the election.

I need to find the courage soon and have this discussion.

OP posts:
75Renarde · 07/12/2019 17:04

OP

Your post is bothering me, a lot. More so than usual narc posts. (He is one btw). Can you answer these questions?

How EXACTLY did you find out about the affair?
Is he violent (verbally or physically)?
Does he use Absent or Present Silent Treatments?
Does he ever look at you blankly when you stand up to him?
Does he ever play the victim, repeatedly? For example, crying and begging for another chance?
Finally, how old are your children?

MoveOverMauve · 07/12/2019 17:27

How did I find out about the affair?
Facebook messages between the pair of them. They were communicating over Facebook. His Facebook was logged into the family pc. I very rarley used it as I had my own iPad. Multiple pages were open one evening and I was on the pc typing something and it kept bonging away (she kept messaging him). I changed the page and read everything.

No he’s not violent.

He gives me the silent treatment instead of arguing.

No, he will not beg ever. He repeatedly did with him ex. However he’s only done it with me once after his affair, he begged and cried that is the only time he’s ever done it.

DC are 13 and 8.

OP posts:
MoveOverMauve · 08/12/2019 10:37

Last night i was struggling to sleep, things have been playing on my mind.

Recently he’s become very close to the husband of the couple mentioned in my OP. When prior to this he thought he was a bit needy so he would dodge his calls quite often. Would constantly turn down requests to see him/ them and make excuses. But recently H has been the one suggesting we see them.

Last night not only was he constantly name dropping but he was pushing and pushing for me to find a couple of dates we could go out with them (I haven’t mentioned that I know he fancies the wife)

I did something I haven’t done since the affair and I checked his messages and he has been messaging the wife for 4 weeks. It started the day after we went out with them, he’s been trying to initiate conversation with her most days by asking her lots of questions.

He kept mentioning things to me her husband has supposedly said to H but it’s actually conversations he’s had with her. Absolutely nothing untoward has been said, nothing remotely flirty. He has been sending lots of xxx and I can honestly say I’ve never had a x off him ever let alone a few.

I haven’t actually got her number despite the fact we get on really well. I know nothing has or won’t actually happen but it doesn’t sit right with me.

I can’t keep this to myself for much longer.

OP posts:
75Renarde · 08/12/2019 11:16

Your story is very unusual. I totally hear you that you are struggling to keep it in.

Where are you today? Who is round you?

I'm here.

75Renarde · 08/12/2019 11:18

You were triangulated with the friends wife btw. The question in my mind is he aware he did this or unaware.

Usually, 95% of the time they do it subconsciously.

MoveOverMauve · 08/12/2019 11:49

We are all supposed to be going to the kids sports end of term presentation. But H is sulking as he doesn’t want to go. He’s become very selfish recently and if it doesn’t concern him he’s not interested. I may take them myself as I can’t put up with his complaining all afternoon.

The kids are then going to see MIL and she’s taking them ice skating and for food. Whilst there out of the house I’m going to speak to H once and for all.

It’s a rare occurrence the DC are both out of the house together so it’s the perfect opportunity.

OP posts:
75Renarde · 08/12/2019 12:04

Let us know how it goes.

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