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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

Think it’s over. Messages , escorts, open condom. Please help

424 replies

lookingatthepast · 03/05/2020 17:14

Will try and be brief. Been with OH 18 months. We met through mutual friends. I have children with my ex husband . Kids were introduced slowly they all get on great. Kids like having him around asked when he would move in and I discussed how they would feel about it should that happen and they were all happy and excited and wanted it . I am mid 30s OH early 30s and he has no kids. I can’t have anymore children and although he said he couldn’t garantee one day he might not feel he wants a family of his own he doesn’t have an overwhelming feeling to have his own kids that he was happy with us he loved his time with us etc .

Recently a friend of his had a baby I mentioned I am sure one day he would love his own and he said I am happy with how things are. He did always say he would feel disappointed in life if he never married though. I have no aversion to remarrying (the marriage wasn’t the issue last time it was the person ) then recently another friend is expecting a baby in August and someone else we know in November. Again no desire expressed by him that he feels he’s missing out or broody .

I found out a while back that on nights outs with his mates (approx once a month) some of them do a few lines of coke . My ex used to do it and it caused a lot of issues. However he was also violent and abusive when drinking and doing drugs. My OH and I talked and I said as long as he never brought it into my house and never did it around me or my children or when I was with him then out with his mates while I don’t approve is his business and doesn’t effect me. I later found out after looking at his phone one of his friends deals it and that’s where they get it from and he has friends who ring him and he passes this guys number on as a favour. I gave him lots of opportunities to come clean and tell me and he didn’t. Until eventually I overheard a call and confronted him. We nearly broke up over it but he said he would stop being involved and he wanted a future with me and was sorry.

At the same time I saw on a holiday with some of his friends and family last year (booked before we were together) he messaged a girl on a dating app asking if she fancied meeting for a drink. Again I kept quiet and didn’t let on that I knew. I buried it and carried on.

I love and care for this man deeply. He lost him mum a couple of years ago and said I made him feel happy again and came into his life when everything was dark etc. We had both of us talked about buying somewhere together and one day marrying. He mentioned in the beginning of the year when we had been together a year the idea of us living together (he works , owns his own house but there’s now a tenant in and would have been with me so my children don’t have to move house and Schools etc ) I said sounds great let’s see in the summer about it but he started staying here a few times a week instead of just one to see how it felt being together that bit more.

In February we were going to meet two of his friends for lunch and a message came up on his in car system which he asked me to read to him. Under that was another message from an unsaved number sent at 5am that morning when he was staying at his dads house saying they only offer outcalls and not incalls. I know it was a massage parlour / escort agency from that and I confronted him. He said firsT of all a friend had done it and used his phone and I told him to have respect for me and admit it. He admitted he was drunk and doing drugs and he called the number but they were closed and could only come out and he didn’t have anyone go there as his dad brother and friends were there. He pleaded cried begged but did say maybe we would be better off ending it as I wouldn’t be able to trust him. I said maybe he should try counselling
He said he felt he was t good enough for me. That he’s always been hurt in relationships so throught that’s he’s bound to get screwed over again so what does it matter. He was so very upset and sorry for hurting me said I didn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve me and doesn’t deserve another chance. I wanted to make it work so let it go as a blip and a stupid drunken mistake although I was very hurt and felt inferior and not good enough. In March he did the same thing again. I found out as I hold my hands up and went through his phone. It was all there. Searches to brothels and massage parlours. He also gave his phone number to a random girl on the street and was emailing / messaging her for a bit the same night and he stayed up all night on a huge coke binge at the same time. (This was in a flat his family own in another town where he went on a weekend away with friends. But he went one night before everyone else on his own and did all this ) when j saw him online late he said he was up late as he didn’t feel well. I was worried about him being ill and there on his own as he’d been unwell at mine a couple of days before. He told his friend in a message it was a lie to shut me up and he was in the flat and paranoid from the amount of coke that he locked himself in one of the room as he thought there was a person next door )

Again i confronted him as it was the disrespect to me in these messages which I couldn’t believe. Laughing with friends bout messaging other girls and that I fell for his story of being ill. He then started counselling and has so far had 7 sessions. I even offered to do couples counselling alongside so that we could get back to how we were and work on things and have the life together we talked about.

Yesterday I was at his house and when I stood up to leave I looked down and in a drawer next to his bed (which was open) there was a worn condom laying there. I picked it up and said Why is this in your room. We don’t use them and haven’t had sex in that room anyway. He said he never uses the drawer someone else must have left it there from what could be months or years ago and it’s nothing to do with him . I didn’t argue I didn’t shout or scream I just felt very tired and said this is your bedroom how could you not know it was there. He said I don’t use that drawer and other people have stayed over in this room when I haven’t been here and it could be one of them. His cousin and girlfriend. Friends and girlfriends etc. His head dropped and he said I am telling the truth but I know you don’t believe me . I said I don’t know what to think and if you found it at my house you would find it hard to believe that it was as years old and I didn’t know how it got there
I have never found any actual evidence he’s cheated. Just times he’s come close. He said he doesn’t know why he’s done it. Etc

Anyway today he’s ended it with me. Says he needs to be on his own
He can’t stand keep making me unhappy and he can’t leave his phone unattended near me anymore and I won’t ever trust him
All suggestions of counselling together he’s saying no to. Says I will see it’s for the best and he wants to stay friends and still be able to meet up and have a kick about with the kids or take them out sometimes but he’s got too many issues to work on and he needs to put himself first and deal with them. He’s also said one day he might want kids and that option is off limits and it’s been bothering him for a while now. That maybe his best friend having a kid has made him think and he can’t guarantee he won’t one day want one and it’s something I can’t do with him. The idea of a surrogate if needs be was dismissed. Says he feels he’s no control over his life and it’s moving at 100mph ! No idea how I haven’t pushed him to move in. Marriage was briefly discussed a few times and by him as it happens as there’s a certain church he would like the ceremony in if possible but I could chose the reception if I was happy with that. Talked about areas we would consider buying in one day and when would be tha best time to move and both agreed 2 years time due to my children’s schooling. So none of this is about to happen tomorrow or next week.

I am hurting so much. I feel sick. I can’t stop crying. I feel ill. The future we talked about the plans we discussed. And then he’s going to meet someone else and do it all with them instead. Yesterday everything was fine. He cuddled me said he missed me loved me. I saw that condom and came home and now we are over

I feel broken. So broken and have no one I can talk to. I work long hours in a stressful job with people at times I am unhappy around. I feel so sad and lost

OP posts:
Brownyblonde · 03/05/2020 18:51

Ps his mum dying leading him to drugs and dipping it in escort girls Is absolute bollocks. Its a mere excuse. My dhs dad died of cancer when dh was 14. He isn't a druggy. Addicts love a son story and excuse to blame their bad behaviour on. I speak from experience - I had a drink problem (long term sober now) Ioved having a tragedy to blame my drinking on back then. Its sick and twisted and all bollocks

CodenameVillanelle · 03/05/2020 18:52

All his talk of 'I don't deserve another chance, I'm too good for you' is called deflection. He's deflecting the blame away from himself and drawing in your sympathy. He's too broken to not shag prostitutes. He's too grief stricken to not lie to you about drugs.

Open your eyes. He's not the man you pretended he was for all that time. He's the man who lies and shags prostituted women (who let's not forget may very well be trafficked and therefore not consenting) that you tried to pretend he wasn't.

DKanin · 03/05/2020 18:52

The laughing with his friends about you falling for his lie would have been enough on its own for me to end it.
This man has behaved despicably towards you and by forgiving him you've told him you don't deserve respect. He's dumped you because he's realised he's pushed you so far he's not going to keep getting away with it for much longer. He is an absolute bastard and you (and anyone) deserve better. I pity whoever ends up married to him

Namechange8471 · 03/05/2020 18:52

Op, I’m sorry but he doesn’t want you. He wants to be free to visit brothels and whatever else. Because you won’t accept that shit (rightly so!) he has decided to cut you loose.

Accept it move on.

lookingatthepast · 03/05/2020 18:59

Comfortable like an old pair of slippers is harsh but thanks for all the replies

OP posts:
Brownyblonde · 03/05/2020 19:01

@looking I'm meaning that he's a freeloader and viewing you as the nice safe place to go to when he's down off his binges and wants a slice of normal life. He's using you. I'm sorry if it sounds harsh. I just want you to see that he's wasting your time. You deserve so so so much better than this. You're clearly a lovely caring lady with a heart of gold and he's taking full advantage of that. It's tragic to read

BackseatCookers · 03/05/2020 19:02

It's not as harsh as the things he's done to you.

He's laughed about fucking you over to his mates. That makes my skin crawl.

And yet you still say he's a troubled soul and that the main reason you wouldn't take him back is because you can't give him what he needs re future children.

Here's a secret I learned the hard way - 99% of people who claim to be troubled souls are just selfish cunts.

Model better behaviour for your kids so they don't end up in a relationship like this or treating someone else like this.

He views women as a commodity. He is happy and excited at the prospect of paying to fuck women likely younger and more vulnerable than him. He's disgusting.

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 19:02

As you said yourself the "talk" he suggested with your kids is just a face saving "I'm a nice guy" exercise so he doesn't feel like (abd look to others like) he got involved with a single mum and her kids (getting to know them, spending time with them etc.), messed her around and has now bailed.
Don't let him do it.

On the general theme of the thread, he should've been dumped about ten times over by now. It would've worth you doing some counselling or reading some yugb love books like the ones suggested in this thread.

He's just not that into is another surprisingly good boom with a bit of a cheesy title..

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 19:04

*tough love

Menora · 03/05/2020 19:04

You need to find that little bit of anger inside yourself. You feel sad now but getting angry will help you. Let yourself get angry with him about what he has done. And what he has ‘thrown away’. That you have to explain to your DC. Get angry about it

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 19:09

Even this guy knows himself he cannot offer you (or likely anybody) a decent relationship at this time (and you could argue ever). He can't keep up any effort or pretence any more. He knows he's hurting you, treating you badly, and he's going to keep.on doing so, he can't offer you anything different. He's doing what he wants to do in life. He knows and he's ended the relationship ..... yet you're still trying to hang on!!!!

Come on, cut your losses, let it go and start your recovery.

He is shit relationship material and probably always will be. You'll never know what he's getting up to behind his partner s backs ... Sex worker users are usually users for life.

GingerBeverage · 03/05/2020 19:09

Is there anything he could do that you wouldn't make an excuse for and find a reason to forgive?

The only thing he's done of merit is dump you in a way that cannot be fixed (no children).

The feelings you are having; sadness, loneliness, failure, are what you need to work on. If you were willing to go to couples counselling then use that willingness to examine yourself and learn why you are drawn into a disfunctional relationship.

You are worth the effort.

Badoukas · 03/05/2020 19:11

Well you've had the truth from all of the many people who have replied to your post. Please please dont give yourself further misery by having this bloke back in your life. Because even though he dumped you, he'll soon come sniffing around if you leave the door ajar. Make your mind up to draw a line. It's over. Be relieved. Onwards to better things and no backward glance.

rvby · 03/05/2020 19:11

Reading over your posts it is difficult to imagine how bad it needed to get, before youd end it yourself.

What would have been your red line OP? He really humiliated you, several times. Why did you carry on with him?

lookingatthepast · 03/05/2020 19:14

I will dig out melody Beattie co dependant no more to start. I guess I don’t feel deserving of love or care so I pour al that I would like into other people that I care about.

OP posts:
HuggedTheRedwoods · 03/05/2020 19:16

The future we talked about the plans we discussed.

I mean this kindly OP, but that future wasn't real. Dont tie yourself to a man like the one you describe because you think there's a rosy life just the other side of the latest seedy secret you uncover.

scooter125 · 03/05/2020 19:18

You're flogging a dead horse love. End it!

BlueJava · 03/05/2020 19:19

I think he's done you a favour - if you're entirely honest with yourself you are not happy with his behaviour or drugs (and nor would I be). Get rid, don't look back and think of it as a lucky escape although I know it hurts at the moment.

Skyla2005 · 03/05/2020 19:23

This man will never be faithful. You can’t see it right now because your mourning something you thought was good but it wasn’t really him. His a vulgar man who uses or wants to use sex workers that’s disgusting when your single let alone in a relationship with a woman who loves you and has two children. How can you have him around your kids knowing that’s the sort of man he is. You would never have peace In your life with him it will be one thing after another. One lie after another you can’t see it but he really has been kind to you by ending it his a total waste of space and not worthy or you or your children’s love. Go total no contact and get over him. Block his number You will meet someone who values you and treats you the way you deserve and please don’t keep letting him suck you back In with counselling etc or promises to change because men like him never do change x

Gutterton · 03/05/2020 19:23

This is such a classic coke head existence.

I have seen this so many times, the lies, deceit, hookers/hook-ups, debt, denial - it’s progressive and goes round down a negative spiral - until all of those issues get bigger and bigger - the deceit, the debt, denial - then their MH deteriorates - and the paranoia, depression and anger ramp up.

Jobs get lost, wives get beaten, debt accumulates, children are traumatised, houses repossessed. Ask anyone who had a party boy at 30 where it got to by 40.

All addicts manipulate and lie. He has done the classic DARVO tactic when questioned.

Get him well away from your DCs.

Don’t date until you have done some work on yourself to understand why your boundaries are so poor. Your DCs don’t need another wrong-un in their lives.

IWantT0BreakFree · 03/05/2020 19:23

Just to clear a couple of things up
I haven’t had sex with him since I found the messages in Feb about hookers

But you had unprotected sex with him after finding out early on in this short relationship that he’d been trying to arrange hookups with a woman on a dating app? I’m not trying to be mean, OP. I’m just trying to get you to open your eyes to the fact that you’ve really taken crazy risks with this man that could have ended catastrophically for you and your children, and your instant reaction (both in 'real life' and on this thread) is to make excuses for him and minimise/ignore his behaviour.

They are also pre lockdown so let’s say he did have sex with an escort it was pre lockdown (doesn’t make it right. Just saying to the Person who mentioned it)

Come on. If he's the kind of guy who gets involved in drugs and drug deals, lies to you left and right, and with his massive sense of entitlement to sex, he's not going to let lockdown stop him seeing a prostitute. You didn't address this, but if I'm correct and you are still going to see him during lockdown then it's clear that neither of you are sensible about the risks on that front.

Again, not trying to be nasty. Just trying to make you see some sense.

AnyFucker · 03/05/2020 19:24

he’s doing what’s best for me

That is the first truthful thing he has ever said to you

If you are looking for "evidence" as to why it is best you never see this lowlife again, your op is chockfull of it

lookingatthepast · 03/05/2020 19:24

Looking after other people and making them happy makes me happy. I don’t know how to be happy myself. So I just try and do it for others

OP posts:
BackseatCookers · 03/05/2020 19:27

Looking after other people and making them happy makes me happy. I don’t know how to be happy myself. So I just try and do it for others

Without meaning to be an arsehole OP, do this for your kids by modelling healthy relationship behaviour for them instead of the shitshow that is this man.

Please tell us you aren't going to let him come over at some point and talk to them about the split?!

Make THEM happy by giving them a happy mum. If you're making anyone happy in a way that might make them sad (such as being with an arsehole) then you're making the wrong people happy.

AnyFucker · 03/05/2020 19:28

Just look after your kids.

Men are not necessary and "keeping them happy" if they don't reciprocate just makes you a mug