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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

Just found messages

81 replies

Valleygirl27 · 06/11/2020 06:16

Fuck. I see it so often on here and honestly didn't think it would have been me! The last couple of days I've had this weird insecure feeling, have had it randomly the last few months. I've never been the type to snoop but tonight I noticed a girls name on his whatsapp recent messages when he opened it beside me. I hadn't ever heard him mention this girl so I looked on his facebool friends list and it became clear it's an ex of his.
He got drunk (he's an alcoholic) and passed out so I checked his messages, at first was upset to see messages where he was saying how much he missed her etc, however these messages dated back to earlier in the year when we had a bit of a break during lockdown, but there was one today (she messaged him first asking how he was and he replied with a picture of himself saying he'd just had his hair cut, he then asked for a picture of her saying 'wanna see your face'.

I was preparing myself to talk to him in the morning and see what he had to say for himself but decided to delve deeper and found countless other messages, mainly starting when we had our break but some continuing after we made up. There was also a recent one to one of his female friends saying that he loved her and wanted her, that was just back in august just after we'd come back from a holiday together. I know the messages were all sent when he was drunk (he had messages the next day for each one apologising and saying how rough he felt) but i don't fucking care, it's no excuse. He's a functioning alcoholic so if this is what he does drunk then it's just gonna continue.

I've packed up all my things and left. He was passed out so didn't even notice the noise when I was taking away the drum kit and fucking furniture I bought (am I fuck leaving anything for him). I screenshotted all the messages so I have them. Was very tempted to send the girls something, notbing blaming them but just sending the screenshots of all the other messages that he was sending at the same time. Decided not to because I want to hold my head up high (i did hide the tv and playstation remotes behind the sofa though!).

Sorry this is all a bit of a rant but I have been up all night and am currently sitting in a flat I bought and have been renovating, literally sitting in the dog's bed because there's nothing else here, and just needed to vent and speak to someone. Hoping there's mumsnetters up at this time.

OP posts:
BritInAus · 06/11/2020 08:18

Well done!!!! How awesome to have just left. I feel strangely proud of a stranger doing this!
If he’s an alcoholic and a cheat, then you are a million times better off without him. Thank goodness you don’t have kids together!
Yes, the first step is scary, but in a few months you’ll look back and feel amazed and proud of yourself. Take things a day at a time.

And I don’t even think he deserves an explanation. Block and move on!

AmandaHoldensLips · 06/11/2020 08:18

You REALLY don't want to be involved with an alcoholic. Trust me. I've been there. It's always a nightmare and it never changes.

So well done! You'll be fine.

A much brighter future lies ahead for you.

Sunnydaysstillhere · 06/11/2020 08:23

Ime it's easier to move on when it's definitely over. Exh was caught lying massively about money. Knowing 100 %no going back for me was a relief tbh... Cried for 2 weeks then the cloud lifted.
You got this op.

IJustWantSomeBees · 06/11/2020 08:28

You made the right choice OP, here's to your wonderful future Flowers

Nc135 · 06/11/2020 08:37

You are 33. Still young! You sound a strong capable and secure person. Good things and people will happen to you. Keep the faith.

Buggedandconfused · 06/11/2020 08:41

Well done OP. Kick the loser to the curb. You’re now free of the pathetic turd.

tsmainsqueeze · 06/11/2020 08:46

Wow ! you are amazing and strong , what a total arsehole of a man .Don't waste a minute more of your thoughts on him again , live the life you deserve , well done x

frozendaisy · 06/11/2020 08:47

Sounds like he would have just dragged you down. His loss truly his loss.

Enjoy new flat. Trust he doesn't have keys.

BlueThistles · 06/11/2020 08:53

Affirmative action OP... bloody brilliant 🌺

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 06/11/2020 08:55

OP, I know this is hard and tumultuous now, but I am so pleased you used the shock to give you the impetus to leave.

‘Functioning alcoholic’ is such a trap. I wasted 8 years with one. Sympathetic to his issues, thought he would get stronger and recover because he said he loved me. But he got worse, the things he did got worse, and functioning or not, an alcoholic is not in control of their own actions. They will always give in to drink. So you can never win or influence.

So.

Great: you have a job, a flat, a dog and you have oomph and energy.

Sell the drum kit and buy a sofa
Take the dog on lots of walks and meet people
Throw yourself into your renovation: DIY shops are open, YAY! And tradespeople can work.
Socialise on line with your new work colleagues, a bit. Ask their advice about places to walk and get takeaways, even if you already know. Getting someone to advise you gives them a kind of buy in and you will make work friends.

And do not for one minute listen to the flood of ‘poor me’ theatrics that will follow.

We are all cheering for you.

Valleygirl27 · 06/11/2020 08:59

Honestly, thank you so much for the support. You have no idea how much it's appreciated. I'm trying so hard to resist the urge to message him and tell him how much he fucked up. Really I want him just to wake up with his usual hangover, to an empty flat. Thing is it might be a relief for him, he can drink as much as he wants and do what the fuck he wants now without worrying about anyone or anything else.

OP posts:
autumnleaves1220 · 06/11/2020 09:07

I just wanna say, well done for putting yourself first.
But...

Well done for hiding the remote and controller!!!!!! I actually laughed out loud at the thought of this vile man not being able to watch tv or play his PlayStation 😁😁😁 amazing.

BlueThistles · 06/11/2020 09:09

nobody has a future with this man OP ... glad you are out of it ... sounded like hell even without the discovery of the messages 🌺

Valleygirl27 · 06/11/2020 09:13

autumnleaves1220

Honestly I wanted to do so much worse- thought of sharing all his seedy messages on his facebook page for everyone to see, thought of cleaning the toilet with his toothbrush but in the end I thought that hiding the remotes meant I could walk away the better person and with some dignity whilst still giving myself something to smile about.

(still seriously tempted to post them on his Facebook page but I know better, there's no point wrestling with a pig).

OP posts:
EarthSight · 06/11/2020 09:15

@Valleygirl27

It was at least 5 or 6 girls- his friend, his ex, girls he met on Tinder around the same time as meeting me, girls he met in bars. Thing is all the messages coincide with specific days relating to really difficult stuff going on for him, he's then got steaming drunk (as he does) and then the messages go. Usually when the things happen I'm there to support him but on each of these occassions it was when I was away for one reason or another. I know it's for validation and it just makes me pity him that he's so weak and pathetic that he needs that. But I'll be fucked if I'm letting myself feel like shit for his behaviour or and no way will I allow myself to hang around and be treated like that.
He's not committed to the relationship like you are. As well as the women, the alcoholism is such a big problem. I think you were trying to overlook that because otherwise you would have ended it for that issue alone. Looking after kids and battling that would have been horrible.
Hopeful201 · 06/11/2020 09:18

Doesn't sound like he has any redeeming features, well done for being strong. Stay strong!

Ihaveyourback · 06/11/2020 09:30

You have had a very very lucky escape. If anything his ex deserves a very big thank you. Living with an alcoholic will ruin your life as well as his.

Alfiemoon1 · 06/11/2020 09:36

Well done for leaving op

ILoveYoga · 06/11/2020 09:37

Stay strong. You’ve done the right thing to leave. This time, do not go back.

I very much use this phrase I learned in Mzn as it’s is so true. When someone has shown you who they are, believe them

He is a drunk, a cheat and a womaniser. He’s messaging many women. This won’t change.

At the moment, with the world as it is, you have a job and a flat. Stick with both. Later, many months later, reassess where you live and work if you want to move on. Right now stick with it. Once lock down is over, look into what you can do to meet people in the area. Create your own support system without him.

AnyFucker · 06/11/2020 09:38

Well done for leaving.

But please consider why you were considering a future and children with an alcoholic. Until you found those messages, that is where you were heading.

Majorly, "functioning" alcoholics slide into non-functioning and there is not a damn thing you can do about it. Hitching your whole life onto this scenario is a massive mistake.

Bunnymumy · 06/11/2020 09:42

I would post them. Not outa spite butsosll the girls an see what he has been up to. I wouldn't want him watching onto some other poor lass that I could have protected from him.

That being said, if he finds someone else to bother, he might be quicker to stop bothering you.

Bunnymumy · 06/11/2020 09:42

*but so the girls can

Bunnymumy · 06/11/2020 09:43

*latching

Legallyblondeee · 06/11/2020 09:50

@Valleygirl27 That was a bad ass move you made there! I imagine you walking out of that house in a fierce Beyoncé strut, middle finger up pooch and drum kit in tow!

PornStarOvaltini · 06/11/2020 09:53

Your contempt and higher moral ground is all you need to make you superior OP. You can laugh at the ex's folly as you've seen it and called it out by ending it. Don't lower yourself. Keep your head high and don't think for a minute that he will be happier without you. He won't. He'll be dazed and confused and probably nothing will change but he had a good thing going with you and he lost it. X