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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

I don't even know what to do about this

52 replies

Braneycat · 07/04/2021 18:55

lease be gentle, I literally can't handle strong criticism right now. It's a bit long so sorry in advance.

My partners dad died suddenly last week and he's absolutely devastated. His dad was his best friend.

I'm genuinely trying my best to be there for him but I'm just not good with emotions at all, I'm letting him talk about it and cry and take whatever time he needs and I really thought I was doing well. I tend to busy myself with practical things, so I've been doing some work stuff for him and helping our children through it all while he spends time with his siblings and arranging the funeral.

At the same time, our boiler packed up and me and the kids moved into a hotel, with him joining us when he wanted to.

Two nights ago he decided to stay home and got drunk. I never think drinking while in pain is a good thing but I didn't say anything, just encouraged him to invite a friend over so he's not drinking alone.

His best friend is a woman and I have never ever thought there was something going on between them. I love her, she's amazing with my kids and she understands my partner in a way I don't (our interests are very different and it's something they have in common).

I have a horrible feeling he cheated this night.

I understand grief makes you do strange things, and I also know that right now is not the time to confront him about it. I'm grieving myself (his dad was like a second dad to me) and I could just be overly sensitive.

When I was sorting out some of his work stuff for him I needed to access his emails. He knew this and gave me permission to do so.

I also checked his search history. He has a history of depression and only got out of a bout of it around a month ago, when he started on antidepressants. I just wanted an insight into where his mind is at the moment as he's prone to suicidal ideation, so I just wanted a heads up if he was making those sorts of searches.

Instead I found searches like 'movies to turn her on' 'sexy movies for couples'.

Bare in mind, I was stuck at a hotel with the kids and he had invited her over. So whether or not something actually happened, this is where his mind was.

The next day he cleaned our sheets which is extremely unusual. If it weren't for me he would happily change the sheets once a year (an exaggeration perhaps but just an indication of how little he remembers to do these things).
He has also been really off with me. One word texts, no affection at all. Alot of 'reevaluating my life' sort of comments. He's said outright he's not interested in any conversations I bring up, and has made insinuations about my weight and how 'unfun' I've become.

This is so out of character. He has always found me attractive regardless of how much weight I've gained/lost over the years, and we've both been very accepting of how different our personalities are. In a way its what has made us last so long.

I don't want to bring up my worries right now as, above anything else, his friend clearly is giving him what he needs in terms of emotional support. I still find it hard to believe anything actually happened. I haven't resorted to looking through his phone yet as frankly, I'm afraid of what I'll find and I don't want to invade his privacy right now.

How do I live with this until such a time it becomes more acceptable to raise it? Am I being insane?

OP posts:
PrincessPea11 · 07/04/2021 20:39

So sorry for your loss and the unpleasant situation you're in. I didn't want to read and run but don't have any great advice other than to suggest that if you raise this with him now he will likely just shut you down and stop you raising it again by referring to his grief.

You sound relatively friendly with his female friend, would it be possible to open up a conversation with her and see if she sounds guilty or anything at all? I probably wouldn't ask her outright as she will likely tell him.

I suppose the bottom line is that you may never get proof or confirmation and it is a delicate time to be asking so it may be a case of going with your gut feeling, or keeping your powder dry for a couple of weeks until the initial shock of bereavement has worn off, and then asking him, observing his behaviour in the meantime.

PrincessPea11 · 07/04/2021 20:41

I probably wouldn't ask her outright as she will likely tell him

By this I mean if she tells him, and it is true, he may guilt you about asking/ shut it down in future

Bobbibruce · 07/04/2021 20:43

Oh, oh, oh! This is such a difficult one. From what you’ve said it seems more than likely that they have slept together. Grief can make you do things you wouldn’t normally do. It brings to the fore any problems you have in your relationships, you suddenly realise that life is too short to put up with things just because people think it’s the right thing to do. You also realise that your life is fragile and you don’t know when it will be the end so you tend to get rid of things that you consider you no longer need or want.
This happened to me when my sister died in her thirties. We were close and she was my only sibling. I divorced my husband - I probably wouldn’t have if she hadn’t died but I would certainly have lived a more miserable life.
I would have a frank discussion with him now. Maybe even let him read your post on Mumsnet. I do think you have lost him.

Imjustsootired · 07/04/2021 20:46

From the searches alone OP, on a night you were not home, I would say you've got a problem here.

Even if he didnt cheat, why the hell would he search for this?? Makes no sense unless he was planning to try and get her horny...

Cant you just ask him?

Fortunefavours1 · 07/04/2021 23:28

Could you ask her in a faux innocent way?as in, 'he said he might made a pass at you etc, he was drunk', and see her reaction? Face to face would be best to gauge reaction.

I would be very suspicious, especially the changing the sheets thing. You'd think such things wouldn't be on his mind if he wasn't trying to hide evidence. If he's not bothered about changing the sheets normally, he's hardly likely to start when grieving, is he?

Troyhelena · 07/04/2021 23:33

Very very very dodgy OP. I’m sorry you’re in this situation.

Fortunefavours1 · 07/04/2021 23:38

Actually, the wieght thing he's brining up and comments on you being unfun, you seem to be holding everything down and giving him space to grieve, how dare he say such disgusting things? That's not grief, that's his guilt. That would be the beginning of the end for me. He doesn't appreciate your support, he doesn't get any more of it.

Stratfordplace · 07/04/2021 23:39

I’m really sorry, I hope you are getting some support from someone, or have close family or a good friend who is there for you whether he has cheated or not.

Sakurami · 07/04/2021 23:47

Doesn't sound good op and you don't deserve any of this. Grieving for his father doesn't entitle him to be at best and abusive idiot and at worst a cheat

Braneycat · 08/04/2021 04:27

Turns out my gut was right, all came out tonight.

OP posts:
readingismycardio · 08/04/2021 04:30

@Braneycat

Turns out my gut was right, all came out tonight.
I am so sorry you're going through this, OP. Have you considered your next steps? 😔
Braneycat · 08/04/2021 04:54

Honestly no idea. I'm going to stay with my mum for a few days and figure it out

OP posts:
Meh2020 · 08/04/2021 04:58

Sorry to hear this OP.

Use mumsnet to help you through this utterly shit situation.

smudgemylife · 08/04/2021 05:04

What an awful situation for you. Please take time to think hard about the situation before making any decisions. Yes grief can be horrofic but that isn't an excuse to sleep with someone else.
The 'too drunk to think straight' doesn't wash either as the movie searches indicate it wasn't a spur of the moment thing but something premeditated by your husband.
Given you've said she understands him in ways you won't, is it possible that this has been brewing for a while?
Take your time, and do not feel guilty or obliged to offer support at this moment because of his father's passing. You shouldn't push this down just to appease his conscious.
Did it come out because you asked, or because he told you? That would sway my mind more too.

smudgemylife · 08/04/2021 05:05

*conscience

stoopider · 08/04/2021 05:30

So sorry OP. Grief doesn’t give you a blank cheque to treat your wife and kids like shit. He’s massively taking the piss and his behaviour is horrific and shit. Not acceptable. It’s all about him. Your grieving too. He’s still a parent. Sorry to be harsh but thousands of people lose people everyday. They don’t go and shag somebody else. I lost my child but I didn’t go and fuck someone else. I turned to my family not away. Don’t excuse or minimise this behaviour. If you let him get away with it then he’ll always treat you like a doormat. The fact he pushed you away is telling and I think it’s time to make him feel the weight of his behaviour. What made it all come out? You deserve better than this. Does his best friend want to be with him?

stoopider · 08/04/2021 05:32

and make him be a parent by doing solo weekend parenting. A new relationship is exciting until you’ve got to do real life too. He doesn’t get to walk away from his responsibilities. What’s your financial situation?

Rainbowqueeen · 08/04/2021 05:35

Sorry OP.
Would you like a list of practical things for you to do or just to have a rant.

What a scumbag. His comments to you about being unfun and your weight are inexcusable.

Look after yourself

DoodleLovin · 08/04/2021 05:36

So sorry xx
We’re here to listen if you need a place to vent.

MsDogLady · 08/04/2021 05:37

Braneycat, this is just terrible. You are experiencing a double betrayal. You must be absolutely shell-shocked.

Your Partner’s grief and depression do not give him license to cheat and to treat you with utter contempt. He has clearly been putting emotional distance between you to self-justify his infidelity and disloyalty.

What does he have to say for himself? Is he expressing any remorse?

I am very sorry for your pain. Flowers

Llamasally · 08/04/2021 06:17

Agree with @stoopider and @smudgemylife

This has most likely been on the cards for a long time I’m sorry to say, his grief has made him a bit ‘f*ck it’ in attitude. Appalling behaviour and pretty low thing to do at this time. Do everything you can to look after yourself Flowers

Febo24 · 08/04/2021 06:57

I'm so sorry OP, I hope you're okay.

hamstersarse · 08/04/2021 07:06

This must have been bubbling for some time.
The friend would have been very insulted and that he made a pass otherwise. Yet it seems she wasn’t...so she has been in on this too - giving signals etc.

Take some time op. Awful betrayal. Really deep betrayal.

You sound practical and forthright, it’ll hold you in good stead as you have to deal with this man who seems all over the place.

ILoveRossGeller · 08/04/2021 07:08

I'm sorry OP but there's no excuse for cheating absolutely none at all I'm so sorry you're going through this but I couldn't forgive this and I would be questioning his entire friendship with her. As for HER well I hope you never, ever speak to her again. What a fucking bitch. Some things are totally unforgivable and the only option is to disown x

LlamaPjama · 08/04/2021 07:10

I know this is probably not what you want to hear, and I'm normally much more rational about these things but what an absolute bastard.

Cheating whilst grieving isnt an excuse. Were all sending you hugs and strength. Flowers