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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

Sexual, flirtatious messages found on DH phone

138 replies

wellingtonsandwaffles · 28/01/2021 04:54

I always scroll these pages but barely post, so thank you in advance. I’m trying to work out how much of an issue this is - I’ve not slept a wink. I was shaking, felt sick, and now I’m just empty.

Context:
My DH and I haven’t been perfect - well ever - but we try and we love and we tend to communicate well. I have a very low sex drive but we do love each other despite arguments. We have a DS3 together.

Issue:
Suspected for a while, but took the plunge into his phone this evening. Got through a WhatsApp Lock Screen (noticed that recently) to find hundreds and hundreds of messages with a girl we know, who he used to work with in a neighbouring town. I’ve downloaded them all and taken screen shots, they start overly friendly then get flirty and end up sexual - not so much sexting but way overstepping the mark - he’s encouraging her to buy sex toys and guiding her on how to use and what it should feel like. This is interspersed with loads of Friendly chatty messages, and a few suggesting they’ve met up when I haven’t known. For example he told me he was out all day for an MOT in the town and just walked around cold all day waiting for the car to be done but seems as though they met up then. I made a point of saying he should have made plans to see someone and he deliberately went out of my way to say he didn’t. Several other attempts to meet up. I genuinely don’t think they’ve had sex or probably even kissed but it’s so flirty, so beyond the realms of acceptable exchanges and leaves me feeling empty and betrayed.

I’ve changed his phone password and left them a message on WhatsApp “good morning, congratulations on ruining a marriage etc”.

How big a deal is this? Where do we go from here? I feel so empty. I don’t know how to face him tomorrow.

OP posts:
MrsPerfect12 · 28/01/2021 09:09

Handhold op Flowers I agree, read the script and be prepared for the minimising. Accept no blame as you've done no wrong!

Dizzy1234 · 28/01/2021 09:24

Hand hold from me OP, buckle up, you're in for a bumpy ride 😔
Be strong and don't let him minimise the issue, let's be honest tho if they met up during the Mot they havnt been for a socially distanced walk, there will have been some physical contact.
He's a cheat and is not to be trusted Flowers

CagneyNYPD · 28/01/2021 09:25

Oh wellingtons, what a terrible, awful situation to be thrown into. I too think that te full on minimising is about to kick in.

But something doesn't sit quite right. You say she is younger than you, how old is she? I am in no way excusing her actions but you said that he appears to be the main driver of the messages. Is she a fully willing participant in these messages?

I find the type of messages v strange if there has been no sexual contact. I don't want to upset you more but it might be a good idea to search through bank records and credit card statements for suspicious transactions.

bettertimesarecomingnow · 28/01/2021 09:31

Sorry OP that you are going through this.

If it is just messages, and not sex, and they haven't met up, do you think there is any coming back from it?

Obviously if it's more then no. But I wonder did he get carried away and felt flattered by the attention. I say that as someone who has gone through it.

PussGirl · 28/01/2021 09:41

Another idiot thinking with his dick & a daft woman feeling flattered by it.

Sorry for you OP Flowers

ravenmum · 28/01/2021 09:53

"It's not what you think"; a classic.
Having been in your shoes and discovered it had gone much further than I would ever have dreamt of, I'd also assume that anything could have happened. Were hotels running the day of the MOT?
They can be very convincing in their minimising. One good trick is to make you feel guilty about being suspicious. Watch out.

wellingtonsandwaffles · 28/01/2021 09:58

I’ve called and cried to a friend. Am going to run. Told him to be out of the house until nursery collection. He’s saying he’s suicidal and needs to talk now, that it was stupid messages between friends nothing more. I believe it was messages - ie emotional not physical - but I can talk to him until he’s ready to see the reality of what’s gone on between them

OP posts:
wellingtonsandwaffles · 28/01/2021 09:59

*going on a run, not running away!

OP posts:
ravenmum · 28/01/2021 10:03

You said things have never been great. When making any decisions, have a good think about whether this might actually just be the kick up the backside you needed to step out of the relationship.

His first reaction being to threaten you with him killing himself is really not good at all.

peboh · 28/01/2021 10:05

Of course he's pulled out the suicidal play. Please do not listen to him. If needs be call a friend of his or family member to be with him if he's going to push the issue. Do not cave.
He's been caught, and now he's going to try and guilt you into accepting what he has to say and move on.

PussGirl · 28/01/2021 10:05

he's "suicidal" - he isn't - they all say they when they're found out

PussGirl · 28/01/2021 10:05

*that

Aquamarine1029 · 28/01/2021 10:07

He’s saying he’s suicidal and needs to talk now, that it was stupid messages between friends nothing more.

And the classic manipulation begins. "It's not what you think." Fucking hell, he's a walking cliche.

eenymeanieminymo · 28/01/2021 10:07

He's suicidal now he's been caught, but didn't have any issues when he was messaging this woman. This is classic he wants you to feel sorry for him. He's only sorry he's been caught.
I would use that run to keep in running with your DS away from this man!

Utilityroomenvy · 28/01/2021 10:07

They always say it’s just stupid messages between friends don’t they?! My exh was sending messages to his friend (whom I had never even heard of) asking her to send pics of her in thigh high boots and little else. Funny how I’ve never had the urge to send messages like that to my male friends.

CanNotStandTheBull · 28/01/2021 10:11

What a wanker he is.

Playing the suicide card eh - total bullshit.

Fuck him off OP. Can you really imagine what your relationship will up looking like ? I can - you never trusting him again and having your self esteem eroded away, day by day.

Stay strong and don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth.

Lying fucker.

MintyCedric · 28/01/2021 10:12

@PussGirl

he's "suicidal" - he isn't - they all say they when they're found out
This ^

My XH was 'suicidal' when I left him (not infidelity related).

He's still here and shacked up with the first woman who would have him before I'd even filed the divorce papers Hmm.

It's possible this situation was 'just' messages but if they have met up on occasion it leaves more margin of doubt. Even if nothing has gone on physically the intent is clearly there - you just don't have conversations like that with someone unless you're interested in installing become sexual, whether that's virtually or in RL.

You say your marriage has never been 100%, so you clearly need to think very hard about what you want before making any decisions.

Miffyliffy · 28/01/2021 10:12

Classic line, the old suicidal thoughts once caught.

Handball this to someone else, ring his mother, father, siblings, best friend etc etc to be someone he can reach out to with his suicidal thoughts. Do not listen to him, don't give him the time of day. He wasn't suicidal 48 hours ago when he was dildo deep in discussion with this other woman.

Sassysally12 · 28/01/2021 10:15

He says it’s not how it looks, the problem is it’s exactly how it looks. He has sent hundreds and hundreds of text to another woman, disrespected you and your son, talked about things he never should have, met up with her. Ok they can’t shag in the street but if there is that much sexual tension I don’t believe they walked round for a whole day and didn’t kiss or have inappropriate chats and that’s if they didn’t go back to hers , If she was willing to drive to meet him not sure why she wouldn’t be willing to drive him back to hers. I’m so sorry for you OP, in your speaking to him be clear to state all this points and demand answers on the spot but do try to speak soon so that he hasn’t got time to try and make excuses up. If the shoe was on the other foot, and he found hundreds of messages between you and a man you both knew and it was sexual chat and him telling you how to use sex toys- what would he do?? You are not ruining his reputation and that is not your problem, he disrespected his family not you xxx

IndecentFeminist · 28/01/2021 10:17

He's making this about him. What's he doing about you?

GinaJaffacake · 28/01/2021 10:20

I could have typed your DH’s response before you did. It’s such a cliche. He really will not be suicidal but very stressed that you’ve discovered what a lying cheating idiot he is. If they’ve met up I really wouldn’t be too sure that nothing has happened but I hope I’m wrong. Even if nothing physical has happened, he’s still been unfaithful. I hope you’re ok this morning; stay strong.

TheVanguardSix · 28/01/2021 10:22

He’s saying he’s suicidal and needs to talk now

What a manipulative shithead. And this is coming from a person who has attempted suicide. Sorry tmi. But seriously, this is just him manipulating you and making it all about him. What a luxury sized turd.
Run girl. Run and cry and throw a fist at the sky. But do not look back. From now on, he is just the kids' dad who owes them the responsibility of his care. And that.is.it. He is nothing more than that. Flowers

CarolVordermansBum · 28/01/2021 10:23

Sorry to be blunt but you would be daft to stay with him believing it was an innocent mistake and it won't happen again. Men like this don't change.

Would he be OK with you having sexual chat with a male friend 10 years his junior then if it was just harmless banter?

TheVanguardSix · 28/01/2021 10:26

Imagine if you'd never found those messages, OP...
He'd never be sorry. He wouldn't stop. He's sorry he's been caught with his hand in the sex toy jar. He's not sorry about his reckless, thoroughly gross and disrespectful behaviour. He's shat on his family. And if you never read those messages, he'd still be there, pooping away, sending his 'love yous' and sex toy advice to the moron on the other end of the phone. How pathetic.

Itstimetoquit · 28/01/2021 10:29

He's only suicidal because he's been caught! Don't let him guilt trip you,sending hugs xx