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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

In house separation hell

83 replies

feeficken · 20/03/2021 12:16

So long story short i'm 39 and W 39 comes to me and said we needed time apart and she needed space, I was dumbfounded never saw it coming, so she moved out to live with our son and about a day or two later she calls and says its over that she has feelings for someone else and that's that, no discussion nothing.

I spiral and have no idea what to do so try and convince her things can be better if we work at it etc etc. She starts justifying her actions by telling me its all my fault, I am stunned by the stuff she is saying and doing as she takes absolutely no responsibility for herself. Turns out she had been texting a co-worker as "friends" for months unbeknown to me and they'd developed feelings for each other (he is 55). Problem is from the get go I run with its all my fault and that i'd caused all of this and the break up of my family so I set to try and make things right. I look back now that some time has passed I have realised that the problems we had where NEVER that bad and certainly didn't justify existing the marriage this way and hurting me like this. Yes there where things that could have been better and I know I could have been better (then again so could she) but I am honestly talking normal practical stuff that comes up like money, working too much etc. If she had sat me down and told me how unhappy she was I'd have set to work and we could have sorted things together as the team I thought we where. I thought we where soulmates and that we where on the same page.

Anyway over the next year I basically work myself crazy to try and make our marriage a better place to be if she wants it and even if she doesn't I know we'd both be in a better position financially amongst other things.

She bounced back between myself and OM over the year and at one point they get a flat together (he lives with his daughter) and she starts texting me asking to come back saying shes made a stupid mistake and she loves me etc so of course I love the woman and I agree as I think perhaps she now knows the grass is not greener, she initially its resistant to just leave him though (crazy right should have been red flag right there) but things are strained between them for whatever reason (no idea) and she wants back right away so while he's out I help pack up her stuff into my van and bring her home, I told her before hand this wasn't right that she should tell him the truth and that she was going to give our marriage the best chance (I know right why should I care but heh). After she comes back its all good and shes all over me and then pulls back but I later come to find out ALL the times shes come back to me she ended up texting him again and at one point is shagging him again while I think we where trying to reconcile.

Around Sept she ends it with me again (course she does cause she is still seeing and sleeping with him behind my back!) and starts seeing him openly using our house her base. I get to the point in January where I've had enough and I can't take it and me and my adult son some move out and I tell her she can have the house and she plans to move the O/M in. About a month later she starts texts again (you know where this is going right?) to say she doesn't want to move him in and is sorry for what's she's done and that we should at least try again and I like a fucking idiot agree and so we start working on it again and everything seems good for a month and agree I should move back in but about a week before I move in (at this point I've kitted out a whole flat) she changes her mind and says she doesn't want the house and wants me to take it over that she will live with her Dad until she finds somewhere new, a couple of days before I move back shes decided she just going to stay in the home until she gets somewhere and at this point i'm already in the process of moving back in.

So here I am again moved back in and shes using the house as a base to see the OM and conduct this new relationship and its fucking hell (this is a joint mortgage so I can't just tell her to leave). She also doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get her own place and won't move in with her Dad who BTW does have room, what's pissing me right off is she is going about life like everything is normal as though she has done nothing wrong and that she has been honourable (she says she never had an affair). At one point in the last couple of weeks she is saying she started saying she doesn't know what she wants and then swings back the other way (she is all over the place) but still seeing the OM. Not sure why I am even posting to be honest don't have anyone I can talk to really.

Honestly I do still feel love for this woman (crazy right?) but I can feel it dying and more of me wants her gone than for her to stay, more of me feels less forgiven. She knows I love her I have told her, my actions have told her but she also knows this is killing me but it doesn't seem to matter.

Anyone been through anything like this?

OP posts:
dotdotdotdash · 20/03/2021 12:27

I am so sorry to hear what you've gone through. Unfortunately if sounds like she feels she can pick and choose and bounce between you and the OM, and leave you to accommodate her at every turn.

You have to say, enough! And get on with your life. However much it hurts you and you love her. You could insist she cuts all contact with OM but then be prepared if (when!) she breaks this promise, that it's the end of the road for you too.

Honestly you deserve better.

Also, one final thought, does she have issues with her dad - I'm wondering as the OM is older and may represent a father figure. Anyway, that's beside the point.

Flowers
feeficken · 20/03/2021 14:29

Yes, she had issues with her father when she was younger that have lingered although they now get on well later in life.

OP posts:
dotdotdotdash · 20/03/2021 15:37

Ask yourself, if she did stop seeing the OM, do you see a future with this woman? The important thing here is you and your feelings, as with her actions she has shown there is no partnership here - sounds like you are carrying it for both of you. It sounds like you have been patient and understanding, but she is taking you for granted. If I were you, hard as it is, I'd make plans just for you. You can file for divorce without her cooperation.

Ardvark111 · 20/03/2021 16:04

Mate nobody deserves to be treated the way you have been,!! Sounds like she don't know her ass from her elbow on what or who she wants.... Just co parent with her as that's all you have left now, get your self respect back and not let her treat you like a doormat, best of luck to you on your way forward

feeficken · 20/03/2021 17:32

@dotdotdotdash I think that’s spot on I have been carrying the both of us the last year but I am totally exhausted both mentally and physically at this point. She just doesn’t seem to get it and the continued lack of empathy and or putting us first has completely shocked me and has really hit the love I had for her.

Truthfully if she stopped seeing the OM I don’t know what I would want, I feel she’s caused a lot of damage the last year and it would take a hell of a lot to put it right if that would be even possible. I’ve tried to be as patient and understanding as anyone can be and it’s taken it’s toll.

My head is screaming enough is enough and like @Ardvark111 has said I’ve been a total door mat but my heart hasn’t caught up because I’ve not had five minutes peace from this.

OP posts:
frazzledasarock · 20/03/2021 17:37

Get yourself a good solicitor and start divorce proceedings.

Stop doing the pick me dance, your wife needs to realise she’s not going to have her cake and eat it.

Find your anger, she’s treated you abominably.
Continuing in this ‘relationship’ must be soul destroying.

feeficken · 20/03/2021 20:23

Oh man I know I’ve done one hell of a pick me dance and at this point I have stopped, I have to as I can’t take it any more. I’ve also come to realise there is nothing else I can do. Not only that anything I seem to do only ends in me getting hurt more. This has been a year of hell and I don’t see the end yet until she finally gets a place.

At the moment she is out with OM tonight and it’s bitter sweet, gives me some peace yet I know where she is.

OP posts:
dotdotdotdash · 20/03/2021 21:00

Break ups can take years when you have children and houses together, so it might be a bit of a long haul. Detach from her by keeping the communication on a superficial level and come up with a plan that is just about you and you son (and co-parenting). It's really painful when you're still attached to that person, but it does gradually get easier.

You sound like a really caring, practical and intelligent person - this will work itself out and then you can have a fresh start.

Sunflower1970 · 21/03/2021 05:04

The trust has gone and she has zero respect for you. Go and see a solicitor and take control. You are worth so much more. Get the house on the market and stop being taken for a mug.

gutful · 21/03/2021 05:13

you sound quite passive & may be a bit of a Florence Nightingale type who likes to be a carer / saviour / nurse

She had “issues with her father”. Cue massive eye roll

But you’re not her daddy are you? Do you deserve to be put through the ringer due to supposed daddy issues?

I tend to think women lose all respect for a man like this - where is your dick if not in her hand? Tell her to fuck off, stop calling you, leave, whatever & she would respect it more and you would respect yourself.

She sees you like a security blanket - aren’t you more than a security blanket? Aren’t you worth not being hurt by this person repeatedly? Find your anger, kick her to the curb & leave her there

Find someone who appreciates you because she doesn’t & never will.

gutful · 21/03/2021 05:14

Also it’s not just a men & women issue. People lose respect for those who allow themselves to be walked all over, who are forgiving to a fault etc.

Ardvark111 · 21/03/2021 05:30

Have you heard of the phrase * if you can't beat them join them,!! You start bringing women back to the house in front of her / hire escorts if you can afford it,? Different woman every time 😂 Go on dates.. Sounds like any love / respect she had for you is lost, that must be soul destroying you at home knowing she out with the OM. Time to draw a line mate,!!

youshallnotpass9 · 21/03/2021 06:11

Stop doing the pick me dance, tell her its over. Start divorce proceedings

youshallnotpass9 · 21/03/2021 06:12

@Ardvark111

Have you heard of the phrase * if you can't beat them join them,!! You start bringing women back to the house in front of her / hire escorts if you can afford it,? Different woman every time 😂 Go on dates.. Sounds like any love / respect she had for you is lost, that must be soul destroying you at home knowing she out with the OM. Time to draw a line mate,!!
And don't do this
Ardvark111 · 21/03/2021 06:38

@youshallnotpass, and why not,? do unto others as others do unto you,!! This woman clearly has no boundaries in this marriage neither should he

Ardvark111 · 21/03/2021 06:53

Tbh @feeficken sounds like she has really put you through the grinder,!! And you really need to call it a day on this marriage. Hopefully if she has any compassion left for you,? she won't be a biatch / create barriers when it comes to co parenting your child,!!

feeficken · 21/03/2021 14:15

I honestly don’t disagree with anything anyone has said. Problem with me I am a kind person at heart but people that know me know that I am not someone to be walked over which is a why I don’t understand why I’ve let this situation go on so long and for her to treat me the way she has. I feel it’s completely broken something in me and I am a shadow of my former self right now.

Even writing this stuff leaves me cringing inside as it sounds so self pitying. It’s not that I can’t let her go as thats not a choice anyway, it’s not that I am scared to live alone because I am not it just seems to be trying to gather the strength to get over what feels like this last hurdle.

Whe I’ve written all the shit down that’s happened that last year I literally say WTF in my head and it just pisses me off and makes me angry. The her just going about like it’s all normal drives me nuts.

OP posts:
noego · 21/03/2021 14:57

1, This is not your fault.
2, This is emotional abuse
3, stop playing the pick me dance.
4, Put the house on the market
4, Seek legal advice
5, Read Chump lady blog (give you some idea of behavioural traits)
6, Decide what you want out of life (batchelorhood or a relationship with someone who has integrity, honesty, loyalty, respect, dignity)
7, Get away somewhere so you can think things through (turn the phone off)
8, Re-think your priorities for you!!
9, Start dating!

the worst that can happen is that you end up single, in your own place and a new life to look forward to!!

feeficken · 21/03/2021 15:49

I am seriously giving some thought of moving out again and making it for good this time. I’d love to keep the house but with no end in sight I’d rather start making decisions so I need to mull it over to see how that would look.

OP posts:
Bettysnow · 21/03/2021 16:09

You are handing her all your power on a plate! She must think shes some catch having two blokes fighting for her! Time to drop the rope! Move out cut all contact (your son is an adult and can tend to his own relationship with her)
Discuss nothing only house, joint bills etc keeping it brief and to the point via email. Stop entertaining her delusional lies of loving you! Tell her to take a hike and mean it! Then sit back and watch her come running because she will! Hopefully by the time she does you will be enjoying being in control of your own life so much that never again will you accept anyone treating you badly!
Shes an idiot who is more than happy for you to sit around wasting your life as her back up guy! Time for change and you can change this if you want to. Good luck

feeficken · 21/03/2021 21:47

I think am going to start looking for a place again, I am fucking raging with myself for giving up my flat as it was a decent place. I only moved back in a couple of weeks ago what an absolute mug Shock.

Don’t think she can afford this place as she only works part time just now so we’re going to have to sell which means I’ll be paying the mortgage as well.

OP posts:
noego · 21/03/2021 21:53

See a lawyer before you leave the house. In fact don't leave the house. She may move OM in and th divorce could take a while. Ask her to fuck off and live with OM.

gutful · 21/03/2021 22:02

Umm do not leave your house that she can't afford to live in anyway

Still got your mug hat on OP!

Stop pandering & prioritising her

All the best

Ardvark111 · 21/03/2021 22:05

@feeficken mate don't beat yourself up,!! And just remember you'll get half in marital assets during divorce and sale of house. You got a long rocky road ahead of you. Your soon to be EXW. Still away with the fairys with her new beau from what I seen your son not young kid so that's a positive re contact with him,!! You gotta put yourself 1st now start by getting a good solicitor

altmember · 22/03/2021 00:53

Do not move out of the house (again). Start divorce proceedings. Don't get lured into sleeping with her. I presume neither of you have kids under 18?