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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

Husband grieving for OW

999 replies

Filly2011 · 14/02/2020 21:25

Anyone had experience of this?
Husband had 14 month affair with woman at work. Told me about it when she finally dumped him in favour of her husband. DH says he wants to keep marriage and willing to work at it. After months of counselling he now admits he is very upset as still loves her and knows he’s lost her. I feel very cut up by this. Can’t stop thinking about it.

OP posts:
SchadenfreudePersonified · 17/02/2020 11:40

DMBL has it spot on with this bit, too.

You will never live up to what she was - after all he never got to see the real person, only the fantasy of what could have been. You can’t change what’s happened or him.

Not only was she his fantasy, but now she is gone, he will embroider that illusion unashamedly until she reaches saint-like proportions.

You'll never win against her. Line your ducks up. Grieve for what you thought you had and make a wonderful life for yourself.

And NEVER settle for being anyone's second-best. EVER.

Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 11:50

DH knows OW husband v well. He used to work with him. He says OW husband is a controlling bully and she is v unhappy with him.

Funny she dumped dh then and scurried off with her dh.

He said it was v compelling for them both to take comfort in each other from unloving spouses. He said “she was just a joy to have around”.

Unlike me who was working long hours, had period of illness, etc. When I asked what I’d done that was so wrong he could only come up with you didn’t always listen to me when I was telling you about my day and sometimes you looked at me like I was shit on your shoe.

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Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 11:57

It all seems so unfair.
I had no idea I was supposedly doing these things and she had full access to him at work to charm him etc.
I think rather than expecting her back he must be embarrassed because she’s back with her dh.
Oh god I have to get myself together and get over this. I wish my children were closer.

OP posts:
UYScuti · 17/02/2020 11:57

she was just a joy to have around
If I was in your shoes and he said that to me the words 'f off you c' would leap unbidden from my mouth, and that's if he was lucky
It is best not to lose your temper though because that gives them some satisfaction, I find in the long run the most pleasing route is to just ghost them👻 because that really tells them that they're worthless, the fact that you can't be arsed to respond

MrsWhisker · 17/02/2020 11:58

It's handy for him to make you the bad guy, isn't it? All your fault.

Whatever.

You know you could analyze the reasons he gives you over and over, this way and that.

The reasons he gives you are only what he chooses to believe for his convenience.

I wouldn't bother looking to him for reasons.

DBML · 17/02/2020 12:04

She told him what he wanted to hear.

He knows that she has chosen the ‘controlling bully’ over him.

It’s easier for him to think she’s sacrificed her own happiness for her family. Rather than the alternative, that she was just a lying, conniving toe rag.

He wants to view her as the woman who loved him, but he couldn’t save from her evil husband. He wants to view you as the miserable woman who never appreciated him. If I want chocolate no ones going to stop me having it - same with your husband, you just can’t make him view things differently.

I’m so sorry. But if you stay, then you have to accept this is how it is. He will not learn, or come around to your way of thinking. He’s far too wrapped up in himself. If you try to make him see things differently, it will just reinforce his view that she was this wonderful creature and you are a nasty bit of work with nothing nice to say.

Your husband is a lost cause. Or in a language I don’t relish using - a selfish, intellectually challenged twat.

Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 12:07

I am ignoring him now. He sent me a text about the film I’d seen saying how he’d heard it was very good and he hoped I enjoyed it. I didn’t answer.
He also asked again who I’d gone with - was it the builder who converted out house (who is in his 70s and lives round the corner).

OP posts:
DBML · 17/02/2020 12:09

If he senses you moving on, he’ll try to draw you back in.

He can’t afford to lose his back up plan as well.

You’re better than this xxx

UYScuti · 17/02/2020 12:12

Next time he sends you a text delete it without reading it so that he doesn't get the satisfaction of the two blue ticks, alternatively block his number so that you don't have to be aware that he sent you anything.
Obviously don't respond to requests for information about your life, it's none of his business now
Blocking is so satisfying 🙂

Kit19 · 17/02/2020 12:22

Exactly what DBML said

He wants you sat around waiting until he grudgingly accepts that thevOW won’t come back then he’ll do you the ‘honour’ 🙄 of returning for which of course he’ll expect your undying gratitude

You are worth so much more than this! It would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad

BlackSwan · 17/02/2020 12:27

He’s a prize douche. Insinuating you’ve had something going on with the builder.

Keep up the distance - you are better off without him.

NettleTea · 17/02/2020 12:42

I suspect that your husband had a bit of an inferiority complex going on when the marriage started - liked the way you could suppliment him but probably, deep down, had some resentment there - the references back to not trusting you feeds into this.
You were doing a great thing but alot of sad sack men like your husband take a wifes success as some kind of reference to their own masculinity, rather than celebrating it as a wonderful achievement and a sign that they chose a wonderful partner.
It shows that, even then, he was really only capable of seeing this through how they made HIM feel.
So when his business took off it probably pumped his little ego. Made him feel the big man, made him the pompous selfish self congratulatory Big Man he knew he was and, as his income overtook yours he was able to look at you in your now 'little job' with some contempt - he was the winner, he was the Best. And that overinflated opinion of himself was exactly the kind of thinking that would allow a man like that to have an affair.

Im sure your marriage was OK. Nothing worse or better than anyone elses. It also served a good perpose of facilitating him, and putting a good face out to the public. But once his head was turned things would change as DMBL indicated. Something new and shiny presented itself and everything else dulled in comparison of a scenario that was always going to be hormone and adrenaline filled.

He thinks he is amazing. He thinks he is the Big Catch - that much shines through. He is absolutely floored that the romance of the century has had the plugged pulled and it is humiliating and unbelievable and has him snarling and self pitying and holding out hope. I dont believe for one minute that he is sitting sad and lonely and crying in his room. Thats pure emotional blackmail.

As far as he is concerned the plan was that he would break up your marriage, which of course would be devastating for you, because how could it not be, to lose such a man as him - in his mind this was already done deal, but your pain was worth it for his freedoma nd new life.

However things have not gone to plan, and now he wants you to be grateful that he is willing to come back. Why he is cross and angry is because in his mind the fact that it happened and should be swept under the carpet is small potatoes compared to what he has saved you by not leaving. Because his mind has already dealt with your pain of him leaving, but now he wont. You should be happy. You should be pleased. Because as an abuser/narcissist you just dont have any emotions or feelings beyond the ones he ascribes you in the Film Of His Life. The way he is rewriting the past and then storming out of therapy when you challenge it, or keep bringing the OW up, just demonstrates that he is ONLY interested about his feelings here. He cannot hear yours. He doesnt care about yours. He just wants to roll it all back and for you to act as if it never happened.

Fluffycloudland77 · 17/02/2020 12:44

Ignoring him will wind him up more than anything else. Your supposed to be at his beck and call.

GinandGingerBeer · 17/02/2020 12:58

Right Mrs. I've just read that bit about them shagging in your bed. Have you ordered a new one? If not do it, and make sure he bloody well pays for it. Order new luxurious bedding that's your choice, new pillows, make it your sanctuary. Change your room round if it helps.
C'mon, big girl pants on. He is treating you appallingly. You are lovely. It shines through in your posts. You're going to be fine.
Your new bed can come with you when you move.

DBML · 17/02/2020 13:02

I have to agree with @GinandGingerBeer

justasking111 · 17/02/2020 13:02

Filly2011 Mon 17-Feb-20 08:10:02
It’s his company but part of joint assets I guess.

Stop guessing. Of course he is going to hide anything he can. I certainly would, survival mode kicks in. If you have any of the company paperwork in the house, either photocopy it or remove it to a safe place. My friends OH broke in and emptied the filing cabinets whilst she was out. Oh and if your name is attached to the company and the tax/customs service do not receive their money they will chase you to.

Is there a mortgage/lien on your home? One friend her OH did this and paid off the OW mortgage so it was gone.

His male friends will give him advice on how to limit his responsibilities including the best legal team.

Mix56 · 17/02/2020 13:11

The builder, fwa hahahaha.
& even if it was, he doesn't want you/like you apparently.
None of his business.

Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 13:18

Ginandgingerbeer I made him buy a new bed, and bedding, and towels.
I also made him repaint the walls.
Apparently she watched dvds with him in my house - when she wasn’t shagging. He also cooked her meals in my kitchen.
This woman knows me. She’s stayed with me and socialised with me. She knew when I was ill. I really don’t know how she could bear to use my house and bed. Apparently she told him it was all ok because I would never know!

OP posts:
Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 13:20

I’ve photocopied the latest accounts. We have no mortgage. The savings account is in my name but the company money (a lot) is more complicated.

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UYScuti · 17/02/2020 13:25

She (the OW) sounds sociopathic, absolutely no compassion or empathy!

SchadenfreudePersonified · 17/02/2020 13:26

He says OW husband is a controlling bully and she is v unhappy with him.

Yeah, yeah . . . sure . . . .

Obviously don't respond to requests for information about your life, it's none of his business now

And if you wanted to respond you could tell him that you didn't listen to him talking about his day because he was self-absorbed, boring and repetitive - just like he is now.

Double3xposure · 17/02/2020 13:32

Is it a limited company in which you own shares ? Who are the other shareholders, apart from your husband ?

TheReef · 17/02/2020 13:33

Sounds like the ow just used him to get business and make a lot of money out of him. I bet all her talk of her husband being a bully was just bullshit to get your husband to hand over his cash

justasking111 · 17/02/2020 13:34

Does the OW husband know about the affair?

Filly2011 · 17/02/2020 13:39

Yes Justasking OW husband knows about affair but seemingly doesn’t care.
My dh was wondering why OW husband didn’t come and tackle him about it. Thinks they are cowardly!

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