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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:
Alepsa · 03/05/2020 20:35

OP, I'm saying this with kindess.

You really need to focus on forgetting this guy and if you can't do it for yourself, you need to do it for your kids. It's grossly unfair to allow a drug addict into their lives because at the very least he will disappoint them over and over. Potentially, his involvement in their lives could place them in danger - addicts can be terrifyingly unpredictable. One of my closest friends had drug dealers at her door looking for money for her ex's drug debts and this was years after she left him. You need to protect them from this.

Can you imagine if they saw him drunk or high? Would you want to risk being reported to social services because you'd allowed someone like him in their lives? This is before the cheating, the lies and the visits to sex workers.

You need to want better for them and for yourself. Block and delete him.

Blueuggboots · 03/05/2020 20:38

I lived with a man many years ago who I didn't trust. I thought it was me as I never found any evidence at all to suggest he'd cheated but I've been married and in other relationships since then with no feelings that I couldn't trust them. He sounds really dodgy and I think he's done you a favour.

MaMaMyCorona · 03/05/2020 20:39

Please get an sti test as you say you hadn't been using condoms together
He sounds like an absolute liar, cheater, druggie and should not be around your children!

Thankful2020 · 03/05/2020 20:39

Move on OP. You’ve only been together for 18 months and already need couple’s counselling! You cannot fix this man. He is right, he does have a lot of issues. Cheater, liar, drug user etc. Cut your losses. Good luck!

myangelalex · 03/05/2020 20:46

He's pretty much admitting all your suspicions are true and has the ?decency to feel guilty and safe you more pain, as he has no intention of stopping. It's only 18 months out of your life. Forget him.

Hatscats · 03/05/2020 20:46

He sounds awful. Lucky escape.

bd67thSaysReinstateLangCleg · 03/05/2020 20:46

OP, if my friends were taking coke, they would not remain my friends. I wouldn't join in just to "fit in". He has a choice about using drugs and you are making excuses for him. Stop making excuses for him.

Take the Freedom Programme. Open your eyes, realise what he is like, and block his number.

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 03/05/2020 20:55

Well I'm sorry to say this because it's not what you will want to hear, but he's been trying to end it with you for quite a while. He just didn't want to be the bad guy and was hoping you would do it.
I don't think I could get so upset about a cheating coke head ending a relationship with me. Infact he would never have got that far, and yes I have been with someone like that, minus the prostitutes.
You've already wasted 18 months of your life with this dafty. Don't let him waste anymore.

welldonesquirrels · 03/05/2020 21:02

OP, you realise that a lot of the women in brothels and 'escort' agencies are actually either desperate, coerced or even trafficked against their will. It's absolutely horrifying what many of these women go through.

Why would you let someone who thinks that's ok be around your kids?

Wewearpinkonwednesdays · 03/05/2020 21:02

And you are still hoping he will realise what he has lost and be kicking himself. The truth is he doesn't care. If he didn't he would stop doing what he's doing. It's not going to make you feel any better thinking that he is upset about this, infact it's going to make you more likely to jump back into bed with him when he comes calling looking for a quickie. Do yourself a favour and stop thinking about him. Cut all contact and get on with your life.

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 21:05

He admitted the coke comes after drinking and after that comes messaging girls or calling brothels

Lots of men get drunk all the time.

Not all that many if them take coke when drinking/drunk.

Not that many if them (the minority I'd think) contact brothels, escorts etc while drunk (and high). I only know one who did that .. he's not really relationship material. He's in an on off relationship of sorts with a single mum and she described him as a weekday boyfriend/partner cause he disappears at weekends (drinking etc). He has a generally rather cavalier, sexist attitude and I know in the past he's fine things like being home two friends from a night out (who were not up for a threesome, they just cane back to a shared house for a few more drinks), put them.un separate rooms when they got too drunk ' sleepy and he offered for them to stay, then gone into each room and had sex with each girl during the night/early hours. My dp who was staying in the same shared house pieced it together in the morning (with the help.if the guy boosting)laughing to him about it) and said he could see when the two friends discussed it, realised he had "visited" them both (when at the time, drunk, they'd obviously thought he'd chosen them.as the one he was attracted to, wanted intimacy with and had gone into their room) .. and they were desperately uncomfortable and pretty sickened.
That demonstrates fir me the type of guy who.us the only example I know of a guy who goes looking for "escorts" when drinking etc.

He's spent many years drinking like a fish, seeking out any casual sexual encounter he could get etc.

He's back in the army part-time (I think the army/police may be where he picked up the prostitute habit, who knows) so fk knows what he's doing when away on training etc.

tarasmalatarocks · 03/05/2020 21:08

You say you don’t know how to make yourself happy so like making other people happy, I really suggest you concentrate on yourself because otherwise you will end up meeting variations of this guy and always be trying to project on to them something that they aren’t. This guy was never Mr right for you, you aren’t on the same page as to what’s ok in a relationship. Just because you like someone, find them attractive and can get on and have good days doesnt mean they are necessarily good long term partner material.

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 21:08

Anyway my long winded point is that lots and lots of people manage to get drunk (and high) without seeking out prostitutes.

That's a reflection of his character.

People don't become someone they're not when drunk etc. What's in there comes out.
It's a base, uninhibited, often kinda nasty version of themselves. But it's still them.

And its as enough he does it full stop but while he's in a relationship ....

AcrossthePond55 · 03/05/2020 21:09

He's done you a massive, massive favour. All he would have done is give you a life full of deceit and misery.

Listen, you aren't grieving the loss of this man. He's bad news and you know it. You are grieving the loss of the dream. You'd planned a lovely future and now it's not going to happen. So grieve. But also realize that the future you're grieving would never have been yours, even if he'd stayed.

Grieve, then move on. You can do it. It won't happen tomorrow but it will happen.

HazelBite · 03/05/2020 21:12

He likes you, likes being with you, being with your family BUT its not enough for him, he wants other things as well, which it appears he recognises.
The other things he wants don't fit in with your life, wants and needs, and it is not your fault, but he is not ready or willing to give up on these "other things".
He has done you a great favour, he recognises that he can't at the moment make you happy.
And you are not happy with him are you? Not really , you don't trust him do you?
Move on, I think you know deep down he is not what you need, even though he is what you want at the moment.
He cannot make a committment to you and has withdrawn, appreciate the gesture and let him go.
Look after yourself and realise in the long term it would have never worked.

SandyY2K · 03/05/2020 21:13

You need individual therapy yourself, because you continued to ignore the issues. The coke, the messaging other women and asking to meet up...you were even prepared to let the condom issue go...but he ended it.

After all that, he dumped you. It appears you were so desperate, even suggesting surrogacy.

You don't need a man like him in your life.

Snowman123 · 03/05/2020 21:13

The reality is this man uses cocaine and pays woman for sex.
You sound like a decent person. Someone who deserves better.
I know, right now it's difficult.
But please be honest with yourself. Do you really want to be looking over your shoulder and wondering when your being lied to or wondering where he is? You know you deserve better, and you know your children deserve better.
Have the strength to let him go. In the long term you will realise he's done you a favour.

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 21:19

when I found out about the escorts being called I said angry and upset what is so wrong with me? Are you seeking them out for a particular sexual request you won’t tell me about etc. I admit that

Well, you can't be twenty different women - that's what "wrong" with you as far as what he wants.

WarmestRegards · 03/05/2020 21:24

This reply has been deleted

This has been been removed by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

GilbertMarkham · 03/05/2020 21:26

...He used escorts...... as he was lonely and wanted the company and to feel wanted

But he had company and was wanted by you ... And he was still looking up escorts and brothels.

His excuses are not stacking up.

Dullardmullard · 03/05/2020 21:50

Why did you post
Did you want others to say oh that’s a shame he’ll be back bollocks

I think he will be back for all the wrong reason one being no one will have him for one

You need counselling not him, you because you want to be needed to the point of dependency. He’s done a number on you for sure

I believe there is a thread on no contact go have a look.

Don’t take him back for your kids sakes and get help

villamariavintrapp · 03/05/2020 21:51

Yeh I really don't think that having sex with a woman he's bought would make him feel 'wanted' quite the opposite really.. his excuses are bullshit. But the worst part of this is that you still didn't dump him! You were fine with it after everything! I think everyone who has suggested counselling is right, you really need to look at why you would accept so little in a partner.

StrangeLookingParasite · 03/05/2020 21:51

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

Time for therapy, to try to work out why that happens.

JKScot4 · 03/05/2020 21:52

OP will take him back and next year be here with woe is me!!!!

lookingatthepast · 03/05/2020 21:52

He used escorts...... as he was lonely and wanted the company and to feel wanted

But he had company and was wanted by you ... And he was still looking up escorts and brothels.

His excuses are not stacking up.

Yes I said this and he just said I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I am way out of his league , later he said I am just a silly immature boy and your a grown mature woman . I think in the beginning he thought this is what he wanted a normal family. Nice calm normal life. But then realised he couldn’t do it. Tried to be himself and hide it whilst staying with me and keeping up the facade and now he’s been discovered and there’s a lot of emotional hurt been caused and he’s having to examine his behaviour and short comings it’s all too close to Home uncomfortable and he can’t deal with it. It’s broken so he’s throwing it away rather than fixing it. Also I feel Hes tried the normal life and realises he’s not ready for it now and to carry on With me and my family while he works out if he will ever be ready isn’t right.

OP posts: