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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 to move on.

8 replies

PoochMumof3 · 12/09/2020 01:32

Hi Everyone,

I suppose I am looking for closure out of my recent break up. I will start off by saying this relationship was my first love. It lasted 2 years and I am beyond heartbroken it has now come to an end.

I met my ex partner online 2 years ago. Without sounding sickly it was love at first site and we were both very smitten with each other. I was 27 at the time and have not had any long lasting relationships or anyone I have really 'clicked' with. My ex was 15 years my senior and had been married with 2 children.

He said he split from his wife 2 years prior to us meeting but he only moved out 6 months before we met. He told me from the word get go that he was still on friendly terms with his wife ( I won't say ex as they are still married - even to this day). At the time I thought this was great. Why can't relationships end and people still get a long?

However 3 months we decided to move into together and the relationship was progressing rather quickly. It was a whirlwind romance but it felt so right at the time. After 6 months I noticed some cracks. I am a very positive person but also an empath. I struggle to deal with bad or tough days and can find them overwhelming. When single I use to come home, have a good cry, enjoy a wine and be OK the next morning.

My ex hated this. He would tell me I was being stupid and ignore me all night and sometimes the next morning. I use to find this so bizarre as he was the most caring, loving man you could ever meet. His mood would change instantly if I came home upset. It's worth noting I worked in a Vets and the job was extremely difficult. Most days we lost animals and had to deal with very angry owners. After a while the abusive behaviour from clients starts to take a negative toll on your mental health.

One night I came home, a little upset but fine. My ex was dressed up and looked very handsome. He told me he was taking his wife out for dinner with his 2 boys. I asked if I could join and finally meet everyone and he said no as this would upset his wife and children. This happened for over 2 months (he would go for walks, meals and even weekends in London)

Eventually I snapped and got upset. Our weekends we're now split as he would split his time between me and his wife. He then told me she misses him greatly and he missed her. He told me due to a medical condition she could no longer make love so as a result he felt fine spending the odd night with her. I was heartbroken.

My ex couldn't understand why I was heartbroken and left. He went to live back with his wife. I was a mess on the kitchen floor. I couldn't function (like an idiot). We did everything together, we were best mates as well as lovers and I honestly thought I was going to marry this guy.

2 months later he came back and told me he wanted to commit and that our love was different...(I know what you're all thinking). I took him back and things were different. I met the family and his wife. I actually got on with his wife and his kids. We did many family events together and all was good.

His wife was moving on with someone else which made it a lot easier too. However a month ago she split from her new partner and wouldn't leave my ex alone. Constantly texting and ringing. My ex took pity and started spending more time with her again. She then came into our home and was not letting him go, hand holding, kissing him....I couldn't believe it. My ex saw nothing wrong with this.

Again when I got upset he snapped and told me things needed to end. He told me he should be able to do what he wanted when he wanted and despite the fact we are couple if wanted to spend to time with his wife then he will.
After 2 weeks of trying I threw the towel in and said I wanted us to become good friends. He was really upset and actually asked me to not leave. My head was absolute mess so we discussed him going to his holiday home for a couple of weeks and we can both sort our heads out and see how we feel.

I've just learnt today his wife is joining him. This shouldn't bother me but it really has.

I absolutely love this man but I feel there will always be two of us.

I tried calling him tonight but as soon as I got upset he terminated the call and told me I could no longer ring him and he would speak to me tomorrow before his wife joins him.

How on earth do I move on or I'm I being selfish?

Thank you for reading - any advice is appreciated.

OP posts:
RLEOM · 12/09/2020 01:42

No, you're not selfish, you're being taken for a fool. I'm sorry you're going though this but you really need to move on from this awful man. Flowers

BaskingMad · 12/09/2020 01:45

In all honesty, it sounds to me like he wants to be with his ex wife but whilst it’s not possible, you are providing the comfort and sex he wants.
One thing stood out for me- he got dressed and looking handsome for his ex. Does he do that for you? He obviously wanted to make her like him again.
Hard to advise but make sure you’re not just a crutch for this man to lean on whilst he attempts to get back to his ex. You have your own life to live.

Notapheasantplucker · 12/09/2020 01:47

He wants the best of both worlds. Fuck him off he's playing you like a fiddle.

Notapheasantplucker · 12/09/2020 01:49

There are far better men available than this tool.
And you deserve better than him! Flowers

WellQualifiedToRepresentTheLBC · 12/09/2020 01:58

Its really not meant to be this difficult love.

This isn't a relationship, it's him having his cake and eating it, and punishing those who don't want to keep his constant cake supply going.

Leave it. Honestly. It's not meant to be this way, I promise you that.

PoochMumof3 · 12/09/2020 01:58

@BaskingMad

In all honesty, it sounds to me like he wants to be with his ex wife but whilst it’s not possible, you are providing the comfort and sex he wants. One thing stood out for me- he got dressed and looking handsome for his ex. Does he do that for you? He obviously wanted to make her like him again. Hard to advise but make sure you’re not just a crutch for this man to lean on whilst he attempts to get back to his ex. You have your own life to live.
Thanks Everyone, appreciate the post's back.

BaskingMad - My Mother said exactly the same the first time he left. His wife is 16 years his senior (he's 43 and she is 61) he told the marriage failed as he realised although they got on as friends there was no romantic connection. (he said he saw her as an old women now - charming I know).

He was 18 when he met her and married her 2 years later so I get the impression she brought him up so there will always be a deeper connection there....

I always felt like I needed to accept this or move on - he would always say the door was there and I could leave at any time if I didn't like his friendship with his wife. I tried so hard...SO hard but I'm exhausted.

He said he wanted to marry me ( he use to say this all the time and we even went ring shopping) but when I mentioned divorce he use to say 'that would kill my wife, I will do it when the time is right'.

Whatever we did, he put his wife feelings first.

I just don't get it....

I'm finding it so hard to move on....I'm very old for my ways and I have struggled to meet people because of this.

Maybe it's all still raw.

OP posts:
PoochMumof3 · 12/09/2020 01:59

Sorry had a cocktail ! 18 years his senior!

OP posts:
Notapheasantplucker · 12/09/2020 02:05

I think it would be hard for him to put your feelings before his wife's, since you've only known each other 2 minutes compared to his long marriage, and they've remained friends so no hard feelings between them.

But actually he is putting himself first in all of it. He's doing what is best for him and that's it.

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