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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 cheating, isn't it

23 replies

FootieFever22 · 09/07/2021 09:37

Been in a relationship for about a year and a half, live about 45 mins apart, see each other on average twice a week. We have discussed longer term commitment like moving in and marriage.

Bf got into a relationship with me about 9 months after his previous long-term (6/7 years) relationship ended. I was wary at the beginning about them getting back together, not because of anything he said bit because it was so long and they weren't finished very long.
About 3 months in he told me she had texted him saying something along the lines of should they have finished/still having feelings and that he told her he was in a steady relationship etc. She then turned up at his house drunk in the early hours one night (she lives in another town but was on a night out ok his town) and he told me he called her a taxi and put her in it. I didn't have any reason to think he was lying, he seemed genuine and we went in a lovely break he'd booked for my birthday the next day as planned. The only fly in the ointment was that he texted her (and told me he was doing it) during the break to make sure she got home ok, and advise her not to drink so much. I knew her drinking was an issue during their relationship and said if she hadn't listened to him in 6 years of their relationship, what was the point in lecturing her when they weren't even together ... He said I was right. I was still slightly annoyed he sent her a text on our break.

A month or so ago (over a year later!) he told me she'd sent a similar text about still having feelings/regret,vavd he reiterated what he's said before, he was still in a relationship etc.

At this point I was pretty hacked off that this woman feels she can still contact her ex, my bf of nearly 18 months like this, and I told him so. Though it was pointed out that two of my exes have texted me during the relationship too, which is true. I said I wasn't single and discouraged any more texting from them.

That was a month or so ago and I have to dress up and say I checked his SM and email when he left his laptop logged on and was at the shop ...
He's emailing his ex and has been for a couple of weeks. She has since moved for work by the looks of it and they're discussing how it would work if they ever got back together. The emails are actually weirdly formal, there's no sexual or even emotional stuff ... Bit this is still cheating, isn't it?!!

I don't know whether to confront him or just end it without saying anything.

It sounds so immature but I feel like she will have won.

The relationship hasn't been great in the last while for various reasons, bit it's also still v hard to end it.

OP posts:
Geanna2 · 09/07/2021 09:41

End it first without a fuss, then drop the bombshell that you've seen all the emails..

SilentPanic · 09/07/2021 09:41

I'm so sorry. You deserve better than this manipulative arsehole. Don't let him make excuses. I've been there and my ex went back to his ex wife- within three months, they had split up again because, of course, their issues were still there.
I found someone kind.

WhyMeWhyNot21 · 09/07/2021 09:43

It may be formal through email, practicalities of what they’re planning etc. I’d be worried that the informal, sexual, flirty stuff was happening during phone calls and messages etc.

I couldn’t trust my DH ever again if I found emails like that.

Sorry OP 💐

FootieFever22 · 09/07/2021 09:50

I checked his phone and there's no sign of any messaging or calls between them. Nor any other SM messaging.

(She's actually moved abroad for work).

I don't see anything from before a couple of weeks ago, and my instincts would say he hasn't actually been in communication with her. What she's saying would suggest it's recent too. It seems like they know nothing about what's been going on with each other.

OP posts:
bookworm20 · 09/07/2021 09:50

Yes its cheating. I'm so sorry.

She wouldn't have 'won'. You'll bet he one coming out of this winning, because to be quite honest you are well rid of him.

layladomino · 09/07/2021 09:56

If it weren't for the emails I'd say you have nothing to worry about. Turning up on his doorstep, he gets a taxi and sees her home. Checks the next day she's got back OK. Tells you about it all. All of that sounds like he did what a decent human being would do, and I say good for him.

It's only the emails which are out of place. You say there's no sign they are talking or texting / the emails are recent and fairly formal. It feels as though there must be more to it than this. Surely noone goes from not being in touch to sending emails about how they might live together in the future? There's a piece missing. Which might explain why you checked his emails and SM..... what made you suspicisious? Was he acting different in some way?

trevthecat · 09/07/2021 09:58

Yeah it's cheating in my eyes. Take photos, let him know why and end the relationship

GeorgieFlame · 09/07/2021 09:59

I think peace of mind is priceless, and I do not think you will have any if you continue in a relationship with this person. Endings are always painful but i think it will benefit your self esteem far better in the long run, rather than continue with this head fuckery. He is holding you back from finding someone who is worthy of you.

RB68 · 09/07/2021 10:00

I wouldn't say it was cheating but I would be asking him to make a choice and saying not happy and will walk if nothing changes.

seensome · 09/07/2021 10:05

If he's going to go he will anyway, staying with him wouldn't stop it, my advice would be don't hang around for the worst of the heartbreak to happen. You deserve better than him discussing getting back with an ex.

seensome · 09/07/2021 10:11

I would also say it's unusual for ex's to keep getting in touch without the other helping!
Yes it's cheating because he's deceiving you, he isn't open with you about that he's thinking about getting back with her.
I'm sorry but it can't have strong feelings for you for even contemplating the ex.

thesunwillout · 09/07/2021 10:12

What's to have stopped him deleting any messages.

It's totally cheating, how awful for you.
He's not committed by to your relationship and needs to go.

Dickhead

JustATypo · 09/07/2021 10:16

Yes he’s cheating. He’s staying with you because you’re second choice but he’s got one foot out the door ready to go back to his ex if he thinks it will work out. Dump the loser and don’t tell him why.

FootieFever22 · 09/07/2021 10:17

@layladomino

If it weren't for the emails I'd say you have nothing to worry about. Turning up on his doorstep, he gets a taxi and sees her home. Checks the next day she's got back OK. Tells you about it all. All of that sounds like he did what a decent human being would do, and I say good for him.

It's only the emails which are out of place. You say there's no sign they are talking or texting / the emails are recent and fairly formal. It feels as though there must be more to it than this. Surely noone goes from not being in touch to sending emails about how they might live together in the future? There's a piece missing. Which might explain why you checked his emails and SM..... what made you suspicisious? Was he acting different in some way?

I've always been a bit insecure in the relationship tbh, but didn't have any feeling he might be in contact with her until recently.

He's never been protective of his phone, it's not passworded etc and he's left or behind a couple of times accidentally in the 18 months or so we've been seeing each other.

The way they're speaking, it really sounds like they know next to nothing about what's been happening with each other and are catching up, and talking about how it would ever work if they got back together. There's nothing obviously emotional about it,bits quite weird.

There's been a bit of negativity and "going through the motions" in our relationship for a while now.

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 09/07/2021 10:22

Whatever it is he’s being deceitful about it and planning how he can leave. I don’t see why you would want to hang onto someone that would do that to you.

Branleuse · 09/07/2021 10:23

you need to just dump him. Hes not over her. Hold your head high and leave him to it as otherwise youve got massive drama on the horizon and you dont need that.

CookPassBabtridge · 09/07/2021 10:28

If 18 months in and the relationship is already failing then he's not for you anyway.
The stuff before the emails wouldn't bother me especially as he was so honest to you about her getting in contact. The emails are weird to be honest.

SpeciminA · 09/07/2021 10:33

Defo time to chuck him in the bin. Even if he was t planning on going back to her, He’s stroking his own ego by indulging in this fantasy and being massively disrespectful to you.

They deserve each other.

Notapheasantplucker · 09/07/2021 10:38

Ltb

Colourmeclear · 09/07/2021 10:49

Sorry if I'm wrong here but if there are problems beside this issue, are you looking for an out? You can leave for whatever reason. I could be completely wrong it's just the way it reads it sounds like you have doubts beside this issue and so this might be the final straw to prompt you into action. Not explaining myself very well. Sorry.

toocold54 · 09/07/2021 11:00

Then texting itself isn’t an issue but the emails are. Why are you waiting for him to break up with you if you know he’s making plans to leave you?
I’d have to get in there first!

Hopingforabagofbuttons · 09/07/2021 13:33

You say there’s negativity and a feeling of going through the motions, that alone should make you rethink this relationship. 18 months in is too early to be feeling like that.
I can’t see why they would be talking about how it would work out if they got back together just completely out of the blue. That makes no sense, there must have been some kind of communication prior to these discussions. Time to walk I reckon

youvegottenminuteslynn · 09/07/2021 23:30

It sounds so immature but I feel like she will have won.

Not a great prize though eh? A disloyal bloke who lies...

The relationship sounds over regardless. Going through the motions 18 months in it would be madness to stay with him even if his ex wasn't an issue.

Onwards and upwards.

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