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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

This is unforgivable, right?

306 replies

HeidiSchmeidi · 04/03/2021 19:00

I think this is probably unforgivable but just want to run it by an objective audience. This happened a year ago and my ex is trying to get me to take him back (he has been trying for a year) and I wanted to see if I am crazy for even considering it.

My boyfriend and I were long distance at the time, and I hadn't seen him in three months. His ex started working with him. She is a woman (colleague from another office) who he had a brief relationship with (a few months) and he ended it because she was in love with him and wanted more and he didn't return her feelings.

When she arrived though, she relentlessly chased after him. To the point of propositioning him for sex and telling him if he did it she would never tell me and so on. She started sending him messages and so on about how she still loved him and didn't he miss her (he did tell her to stop and eventually blocked her) but it was quite blatant she was trying to steal my man.

In his defense he did tell her to please leave him alone because he was in a relationship (she didn't respect this request) and he was also completely honest and told me everything at the time and shared any texts with me so I was in the loop.

At the time, pre-pandemic, there were a lot of boozy work nights out almost every weekend, and I know my boyfriend very well and he is one of those people who gets absolutely blotto and does and says crazy things (loves everyone), so I was very uncomfortable with him getting wasted drunk if she was around. Not so much because I thought he would sleep with her, but just because I thought a conversation would start that he would not be in control of and so on.

So we agreed he wouldn't go to events which she was at, or if he did that he'd stay sober. Which he did for three months. Then one day there was an event she wasn't meant to be at, but she showed up to and he was already completely wasted when she got there. He was drunk at this point with no boundaries so he didn't think to leave.

She started hitting on him quite blatantly, and he ended up talking to her for a while. I happened to call him, and he told me where he was and that he'd chatted to her and in his drunk state he didn't see a problem at all with it. He actually got quite belligerent with me "I am an adult I think I can make a judgement".

I was home alone, I'd had a really stressful day and I felt very threatened by how persistently this woman was trying to steal my man and so I asked him to come home and call me. So he did and left five minutes later (it was about 9.30pm). He had been drinking all day on some corporate boat trip and he was absolutely wasted.

We never argued much, but I ended up absolutely raging at him, shouting, and told him I wanted to break up with him. I then blocked him on everything. This might seem an over-reaction, but at the time we were under a lot of strain being separated, and I felt he wasn't doing enough to get this woman to stop chasing after him (maybe his ego enjoyed it a bit) and it was making me feel really uncomfortable.

I'd stress we never had ANY problems with trust before (together two years) but this woman was blatantly gunning for him in the most obvious way and I was worried after so many months apart and her constantly trying to get him alone that something might happen everyone would regret.

Anyway, I did my dumping tantrum, and he (already wasted) decided to go back to the party and carry on drinking because he was upset and said he was on a self-destruct mission. She got him talking, he told her we had split up and cut a long story short he went back to her place and slept with her.

The next day he woke up really horrified but he believed we were genuinely split up so he went home. Later that day I called him to try and patch up our fight and sort things out and he confessed what had happened.

I was absolutely devastated, and told him I could never forgive him. He cried for weeks, tried everything he could to win me back but I just could not get past it.

Here we are over a year later and he is still trying to win me back, I am the love of his life and so on, it was a drunken mistake he made when he felt I'd dumped him.

Any thoughts on this? We do still love each other, but although my behavior was bad on that night I couldn't figure out why a few hours after our breakup he went and had sex with the one woman who had been making me feel unsafe for so long.

Obviously I;ve been very uncomfortable

OP posts:
DragonPoop · 04/03/2021 21:49

He sounds like a prick in general BUT I would have to side with him in terms of you were technically broken up when they had sex (even if it had only been a few hours)
The quote from friends ‘we were on a break’ springs to mind, Ross was a prick too but they were broken up. Same situation

Booboobibles · 04/03/2021 21:49

@Notworking123

I'm a total dickhead, especially when drunk, and I very much empathise with your ex. If I'd been chased for months and been completely honest at all times, shared WhatsApp convos, told my partner when the ex arrived unexpectedly at a party, told them what I'd said and then even left the sodding party early at my ex's request and then got dumped for my efforts... Yeah I'd be likely to go back to the party, feel like I'd been controlled, have a huge pity party, get wasted and get laid. It's not wise and it's not nice, but it is understandable.
This.

And...do you really love him, to the point that no other man compares? If it was amazing with him, I’d give him a chance. If not, don’t.

Shrivelled · 04/03/2021 21:51

Neither of you smell of roses in this story I’m afraid. Him for being a drunk and you for coming across as insecure and controlling.

HowManyToes · 04/03/2021 21:53

@PolPotNoodle

Honestly I think you were completely obsessive about this woman, controlling and overbearing despite him doing what he could to distance himself from her, and then you dumped him after he promptly came home from a work function as per your demand.

He probably had sex with her as a big 'fuck you' to you while really drunk, and I'm not sure I blame him. He did everything you wanted and it wasn't enough.

This. If this was a man telling a woman she couldn’t go to work functions because a man her fella didn’t like was there we’d all be screaming about the red flags 🚩🚩🚩
Usagi12 · 04/03/2021 21:53

Do not waste any more time on this man. He has a drinking issues, a problem with boundaries and he doesn't really care for you. He's shown you who he is and your instincts were bang on.

RedRec · 04/03/2021 21:54

I think the least attractive part of this sorry saga is that he is so predictably out of control when drunk. Do you really want that level of chaos in your life, OP?

Lilactimes · 04/03/2021 21:56

Before she came on the scene, was your relationship amazing? Did you imagine yourself spending the rest of your life with him back then? If so, then forgive him, if not then move on once and for all.

YouokHun · 04/03/2021 21:57

“There were boozy work related events every weekend...he is one of those people who gets absolutely blotto and does and says crazy things (loves everyone), so I was very uncomfortable with him getting wasted drunk if she was around”

“we agreed he wouldn't go to events which she was at, or if he did that he'd stay sober. Which he did for three months”

“he was already completely wasted when she got there. He was drunk at this point with no boundaries so he didn't think to leave”

“decided to go back to the party and carry on drinking because he was upset and said he was on a self-destruct mission”

“In his drunk state he didn't see a problem at all with it. He actually got quite belligerent with me”

“He had been drinking all day on some corporate boat trip and he was absolutely wasted”

My thoughts OP are that Corporate hospitality or work related boozing is not an excuse for drinking to the point where you have no judgement, self-control or recollection. Your problem isn’t her, it’s his drinking and what it does to his judgement, but you already know that because you had to get him to agree to staying sober in certain situations, you shouldn’t need to do that.

I’m not getting the sense that he’s a fully formed adult so on that basis I’d move on because if he’s drinking a lot “to be sociable”, or whatever reason he’s drinking a lot then you’re going to have plenty more situation similar to this even after that woman is long gone.

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 04/03/2021 21:59

If he really hadn't been enjoying the attention she gave him, he'd have told HR/his boss. You were away - he was playing mind games telling you about this woman but doing nothing to actually stop her. You're well rid of him.

YerAWizardHarry01 · 04/03/2021 21:59

@Allbymyself1

Thank goodness beezleboob, I thought I was on my own in thinking that! I can't believe that he's immediately been labelled as a prick! He told the woman he wasn't interested, blocked her, avoided social situations if he knew she was going because you were worried they might have a conversation (?!), went to a party he didn't think she'd be at , got drunk, you rang him and told him to go home which he did then you threw a tantrum and dumped him but he's the prick? He got drunk at a party then got dumped and slept with a consenting adult - I don't think that makes him a terrible person with alcohol issues.
This. I don't think he is in the wrong at all, he was open, honest and respectful and got dumped so went off got a guaranteed shag to make himself feel better.
JerichoGirl · 04/03/2021 22:00

I'm not sure that the fact he was blind drunk makes it in some way more excusable, to me that makes it worse. He sounds revolting.

As for "her" - she's nothing to do with you. Your relationship was with a bloke is clearly a drunken fool, unreliable, unfaithful and just an all round twat.

But I'm getting that you are quite attached to drama else this would have ended a long time ago. Maybe think about whether it's the relationship you want or a high level of drama.

CharlieBoo · 04/03/2021 22:05

Your whole focus is on her. Most women unless mentally unhinged would make a play, get rejected and move on. Not keep on trying and trying.

You dumped him and he went straight back to the party even though he was completely wasted as you say and been out all day drinking. If he was that shit faced he would’ve passed out on the sofa . It’s all a red herring and believe me men are sooo believable when they want to be. Move on don’t look back x

MizMoonshine · 04/03/2021 22:10

There's nothing to forgive, OP.
You literally threw a tantrum and dumped a man who had been entirely honest with you and done as you had asked. You did so because you were insecure.
If it had been the other way around and he was posting this as a female, everyone would say you were controling and to let you go.
He slept with her because you rejected him when he was drunk and vulnerable. She took advantage of him.

JamieFrasersAuntie · 04/03/2021 22:15

suggested exactly that "tell HR", but he wouldn't do it because he said she would lose her job and she was a vulnerable person and so on because of her history

If she's that vulnerable he shouldn't have slept with her.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 04/03/2021 22:16

Look,this ow owes you nothing.nadda. He was your boyfriend & a shagger

He’s completely played both of you off. Creating a distrust and backstory. Meanwhile he’s acting Mr NiceGuy in the middle . And whoopsie he had a too drunk to fuck ons. Aye? Really...

EasterIssland · 04/03/2021 22:20

Id not go back to him. Mainly because you don’t trust him and all the story sounds like he is doing things to comfort you and your insecurity and whatever he does it’ll be wrong. If it was reversed sexes people would be telling you that your partner is controlling and you should break up with him
Do yourself a favour and get some self security. Otherwise you’ll treat any man the same

Closetbeanmuncher · 04/03/2021 22:32

Do you think "I thought you had dumped me" is an excuse

No.

he has just consistently blamed thinking I had dumped him and wanting to self destruct

Oh out comes the blame shifting, how convinient.

If a man or woman is sound of character they don't jump straight into bed with the next avaliable thing that shows interest after a breakup - It really smacks of the desire being there to sleep with her in the first place, and this being a convinient opportunity.

This man isn't life partner material, not at all. He has a major drink problem for a start, and that's without the cheating and blame shifting thrown in.

You did the right thing, now block.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 04/03/2021 22:33

Nobody can 'steal your man', because he's not your property to steal. He's a human being who gets to decide absolutely where and whom he is going to be with.

As PP said, you place far too much importance on another woman showing interest. There isn't a woman (or man) alive who can tempt somebody who cannot be tempted. That's it really.

Let go of this and find somebody else. They will still not be 'yours' though unless they decide to be. You can't make that happen.

WhoStoleMyCheese · 04/03/2021 22:42

You overreacted completely OP!
He was completely honest with you and got dumped as a reward. You being stressed etc etc is an excuse. In his situation I would’ve done the same and fucked my ex out of pure spite. And a small part of you knows that...otherwise why are you still entertaining him a year later? You should’ve gone NC and that would’ve been the end of it.
Tbh both of you sound like teenagers. Who keeps trying to get their partner back after a year...? Move on..

WhoStoleMyCheese · 04/03/2021 22:43

*sorry not dumped threatened with a breakup

NotAgainNoMore · 04/03/2021 22:45

@HeidiSchmeidi - I can understand how anxious it made you and the demands you made of him. I would have done the same.
He probably felt that he had complied with everything you asked of him regarding this girl and left a good party to go home. You then had a go at him and broke up. Yes, you over-reacted but I get it. However, in his eyes he probably thought, fuck it, I've done everything she asked and I still get grief, so he thought he might as well do what he was being accused of anyway! He confessed straight away.
A year on he still wants you back, most men would have given up.
If you love him and everything else was OK and he doesn't work with this girl any more, then maybe it could work. It was a drunken mistake. Has he learnt his lesson about drinking so much?
What is his work situation now OP?

worried3012 · 04/03/2021 22:45

I do understand the anxiety a situation like this can place someone under, I've been there. So I can understand to start with that you were livid

Branleuse · 04/03/2021 22:47

Tell him to stop hassling you. It was a year ago. You found it unforgiveable then and still do and youre not interested anymore.

I think he was playing you and her off against each other. Why the fuck was he goading you, showing you the messages she sent. Can he honestly imagine he would be fine if it was you with a guy.
You did the right thing dumping him

worried3012 · 04/03/2021 22:48

@worried3012

I do understand the anxiety a situation like this can place someone under, I've been there. So I can understand to start with that you were livid
Oops didn't finish.

I can see where you are coming from but do think you overreacted in being angry that he was simply talking to her and he was honest about that, and also demanding he comes home (which he did)

His crime at this point wasn't really a crime

Ranting and raving at him when he's drunk wasn't a good idea - ive learned never argue with a drunk person.

However as he's now slept with the one person who you had issues over then it's always going to play on your mind now. I'm not saying he cheated and he clearly messed up but if you got back with him it will always play on your mind, especially if he's still working with her

BraveGoldie · 04/03/2021 22:52

@Notworking123

I'm a total dickhead, especially when drunk, and I very much empathise with your ex. If I'd been chased for months and been completely honest at all times, shared WhatsApp convos, told my partner when the ex arrived unexpectedly at a party, told them what I'd said and then even left the sodding party early at my ex's request and then got dumped for my efforts... Yeah I'd be likely to go back to the party, feel like I'd been controlled, have a huge pity party, get wasted and get laid. It's not wise and it's not nice, but it is understandable.
Yeahhh sorry OP - I agree with this. I feel like this was one of those self-fulfilling prophecies.... I think you had a significant role in making this happen.

You asked for an objective audience, but Mumsnet really isn't. Most people will blame the man most times.

That's not to say you should take him back... his drinking would certainly bother me. But your insecurity, controlling and raging is not something I could cope with either I am afraid.

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