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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

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:
MyOtherProfile · 08/04/2021 07:12

So sorry OP
What a horrible situation.

ErniesGhostlyGoldTops · 08/04/2021 07:14

@ILoveRossGeller

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
This. 100%. Have as little to do with both of them as possible.

It sounds like she wouldn't last 5 minutes as his significant other but let her try. Sit back and watch.

Makes you wonder if they've been at it for years though and this opportunity to do it in his own house was too much to turn down.

Angrymum22 · 08/04/2021 07:31

I know that your husband is to blame but what an utter bitch this woman is to agree/encourage his behaviour while he is so vulnerable. It won’t end well for her. When he emerges from the fog of grief it will dawn on him that he has lost much more than his DF and will blame her.
Something similar happened to my Dsis. Her DH cheated on her while she was grieving, it was very complicated but the OW was “so understanding “ etc etc. He is now stuck in a marriage ( not with OW) with a serial cheater. ExBIL has regretted his behaviour for over 20yrs.

ILoveRossGeller · 08/04/2021 08:21

Best friend my arse. One of my best friends is a man and I wouldn't touch him if he was the last man on earth it would feel not that far off incest. If a man and a woman are truly platonic best friends you just wouldn't. Ugh. She's probably been waiting on the sidelines for years.

MsDogLady · 08/04/2021 08:24

Braneycat, you’ve been very supportive of your Partner through the years. His premeditated infidelity was utterly despicable. This must have been simmering for a good while. He and OW chose to betray the love and trust of all of you. Hooking up in your bed in your children’s home was truly beyond me pale.

You are wise to take time and space to process your thoughts, feelings and options. Personally I wouldn’t be able to forgive this.

stoopider · 08/04/2021 08:39

@ILoveRossGeller sums it up. They’re not best friends. They’ve been warming up for years. I’ve got a male best friend and I’d rather chop my arm off. He’s like a brother and just no. Yukk. He’s gorgeous too but yukk. They’ve been playing you for a fool. Time to go ballistic and come down like a vengeful she-god. How dare they fuck around with your life. Grow balls and anger. Get him served with divorce papers. Get agents round to value the house. Get it on the market from underneath him. Start finding your power. Don’t be a love sick doormat. You’re a nice person. You can find someone better than this wanker

Itlod1982 · 08/04/2021 08:57

So sorry OP Thanks

I agree with PPs that this was pre-meditated rather than a drunken mistake. Also doubt it's been first time - he's probably just been getting braver about moving it to your house while he had the opportunity. Otherwise why would eh choose to stay alone in a house without a boiler while you & his DCs are in a nice warm all expenses paid hotel??!

Not trying to sound harsh when you're going through this but don't let him fool you with the grief excuse

EffOffCovid · 08/04/2021 09:13

It doesn't sound good OP I'm so sorry. From experience the male female friend scenarios never ever stay friends. I wish I could say I've seen them remain faithful. There may be ones that do work but what you described sounds like "it happened" possibly fuelled by alcohol. Grief or no grief it's no excuse. I would be demanding some answers but it could be that the gaslighting has already started. I felt sick when I read your post. That horrible feeling that something bad has happened. When my husband lost his dad he didn't misbehave. So you are being considerate of his feelings maybe not wanting to ask questions. So what's he doing to consider yours? Grief aside.

jannyapple · 08/04/2021 09:28

So sorry , gut instinct is a wonderful thing , hope you are ok Daffodil

Swordfish1 · 08/04/2021 09:39

So sorry to hear this OP. It did sounds very odd with the sheet change and the internet searches.

Grief or not, there is no excuse. He actively made those searches, so it does not look like it was a case of they both got really really drunk and upset and ended up comforting each other and that lead to that etc. It sounds premeditated.

And if he dares to use the excuse of grieving I'd be even more furious. As for her, she went there as a friend and in a position of helping him through something difficult. She totally abused your trust aswell. She is not a friend because a friend would not do this in a million years even if they found your DH hot as hell.

What a horrible situation for you. Take some time to get your head around it. Then move on without either of those two awful people playing a part in your life anymore.

stoopider · 08/04/2021 09:42

Hope you’re ok today OP

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 08/04/2021 09:45

I think this is one of those situations where you need to withdraw 100% from the situation - good that you're at your mum's - and just take all the time you need to process this. You are grieving too, as are your children, and you deserve time to sit with this. Don't be bullied or pressured into making any great declarations or even having any big heart to hearts. Just sit with your feelings and work out what you want to do next. I'm so sorry this has happened, you must be in absolute bits.

AramintaLee · 08/04/2021 09:47

I was here wondering what sort of woman has sex with a grieving married man who is supposed to be a friend and then it occured to me... probably one who has done it before.

Not convinced this is the first time. Sorry OP, hope you're okay Flowers

Thisgirlcando · 08/04/2021 10:01

Sorry to hear this. Glad you have the option of staying at your Mums.

peboh · 08/04/2021 10:03

@ILoveRossGeller

Best friend my arse. One of my best friends is a man and I wouldn't touch him if he was the last man on earth it would feel not that far off incest. If a man and a woman are truly platonic best friends you just wouldn't. Ugh. She's probably been waiting on the sidelines for years.
All of this.

I'm so sorry op! What a terrible time for you x

IJustWantSomeBees · 08/04/2021 10:24

So sorry to hear this OP. What a horrid thing to do.

Justilou1 · 08/04/2021 10:33

He planned ahead for this. It’s over

Aprilshowersandhail · 08/04/2021 10:35

Who's idea was a hotel? Why not a repair man?

AntiHop · 08/04/2021 10:43

So sorry op. You've done nothing wrong here. We are all here to hold your hand through this.

IJustWantSomeBees · 08/04/2021 10:55

@Justilou1

He planned ahead for this. It’s over
Yes it's sad that he can't even claim it 'just happened' or that it was because he was drunk. It was pre-meditated.
IJustWantSomeBees · 08/04/2021 10:56

Though you don't need to make any decisions immediately about whether it's over or not OP, just take care of yourself right now Flowers

MsDogLady · 08/04/2021 13:36

Braneycat, I’ve been thinking of you. How are you doing?

LeopardPrintKnickers · 08/04/2021 13:45

Oh OP, you poor thing - your head must be spinning. I don't have any words of wisdom but I really hope that you're taking care of yourself and treating yourself kindly as you must be reeling from grief and now this. Sending love and strength. I hope your mum looks after you.

Lovingspring · 08/04/2021 13:52

Oh OP I am so sorry to read this, I really feel for you. Going to your Mum's sounds a really good idea. Look after yourself, you are stronger than you know.

idrinkchocolatemilk · 08/04/2021 21:55

I’m so sorry OP.