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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

DH found out about a job I applied for in secret

884 replies

SecretJob · 08/11/2021 09:12

I had been making a plan to leave DH and I managed to get a job but they're still doing all the background etc checks so not started yet. DH found out about the job this weekend. I stupidly left my emails open and he saw it. I currently work for DH's business.

I have been feeling really conflicted over everything because things have been going well between us, I've been having some counselling which is helping me and I'm feeling a lot happier and calmer and I was doubting myself if I should leave or not anyway. He's good to me in a lot of ways and we have a really nice life in a lot of ways. I find it hard to make decisions or to know what I want at the best of times. I love him and we've been together a long time and I don't want to leave him, but at the same time I can't ignore that I have had this voice in my head for a while now telling me to apply for jobs, make plans, etc.

He was so angry when he found out about the job I'd got (understandably really as I'd done it behind his back), and I cried and apologised and ended up agreeing to not take the job.

I have to contact the new job today to let them know and I feel like I can't do it. I feel absolutely sick to my stomach. I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
SimpsonsXmasBoogie · 26/11/2021 00:01

Wow. Amazing update. You are doing so well.

I think you are inspiration to other women who are trying to escape abusive men.

You'll be in your new place in time for Christmas. What a lovely thought.

grapewine · 26/11/2021 00:04

This is so good to read. Keep safe and stay strong.

violetbunny · 26/11/2021 02:41

Keep going OP, you are doing brilliantly!

Billybagpuss · 26/11/2021 05:58

That’s amazing we’ll done.

I wish I could buy you a little Christmas tree.

Pashazade · 26/11/2021 06:59

Keep going OP. This is such fabulous news, you can do this.

Yamayo · 26/11/2021 07:27

Just think. You are going to have the most peaceful serene Christmas...

Mix56 · 26/11/2021 08:02

You can start to reorganize the linen cupboard. Move all the nice towels to the top oc the pile, so you heave the top preselected items in one bundle into STRONG garden bin bags.
You can do the same with all the cupboards.
You are entitled to half of everything. So make sure you get it
Meanwhile buy extra cleaning products on your joint shop, & take them with you.
Also on moving day, take before & after photos so you have proof of what items you have taken, & what remains.
Keep your guard up. He already feels a change in the air.

HoldmecloseTonyDanza · 26/11/2021 08:12

Thinking of you OP.
Stay safe! Looking forward to hearing from you when it's all done. Take careFlowers

Lana07 · 26/11/2021 09:00

What do you he would do if you told him firmly: I made a decision I want to do another job now. You CAN NOT control my decision if that's what want.

What do you think was your main reason for planning to leave except your desire to got not a family business job?

How did he make your world small except for the job?

Well done for getting the job. Good luck with everything and your decision.

Lana07 · 26/11/2021 09:01

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 26/11/2021 09:57

@Lana07

What do you he would do if you told him firmly: I made a decision I want to do another job now. You CAN NOT control my decision if that's what want.

What do you think was your main reason for planning to leave except your desire to got not a family business job?

How did he make your world small except for the job?

Well done for getting the job. Good luck with everything and your decision.

I appreciate this comes from a good place and you might not know the background of OP's story but it's imperative she doesn't alert her partner to the fact she's even thinking of leaving. He's dangerous, she is vulnerable and the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when the victim tries to leave.

@MsDogLady has summarised upthread the abuse OP has endured. She must not warn him or flag that she's accepting the other job, tell him she won't be doing what he says any more etc. She needs to get out safely and then she can start to unpack her trauma in therapy so she can build her new life.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 26/11/2021 10:01

As background @Lana07, below is an excellent summary from @MsDogLady - this goes way beyond trying to attribute behaviour to start signs:

"I recall several of your threads, and yours is the most extreme case of coercive control I have ever encountered. You’ve previously commented that to cope you ‘forget’ or minimize your H’s behavior, and then your eyes open again when elaborating in your threads. Be aware that your H is manipulating you again. You and he are repeating the pattern.

Some of your H’s controlling behavior:
*He dominates and expects compliance. You are only allowed to bathe at 7:36 p.m. Sometimes he will try to persuade you to wait until the next day. When you insisted earlier this year, he intentionally sabotaged you by defecating in your bathroom (there are 2) right before 7:36.

*When he spends evening hours (sometimes until midnight) and weekends doing paperwork at the dining room table, you must sit there with him. You are not allowed to say you are uncomfortable or bored. He has rules about what you can and can’t do while there. You can bring him food and do a craft. You can open your iPad but aren’t allowed to wear headphones to watch Netflix. You must tell him what website you are on, and you cannot read or smile/laugh at what you see because you must always be available to chat. You must also inform him about any texts or alerts you receive on your phone. If you go to the bathroom or walk the dogs and he thinks you are taking too long, you must explain why.

*You have a box room office, which gives you a respite from his constant demands, but he will sabotage your going in there by removing your office chair.

*He hates for you to socialize. You have distanced yourself from friends. When you looked forward to attending a friend’s child’s 1st birthday party, he methodically broke you down (as usual). You were initially determined to not give in, but he got angry and taunted you, even saying you’d make a fool of yourself there, and you didn’t go. Now your friend isn’t speaking to you.

*You asked a month in advance to be off on your birthday, as a friend wanted to treat you to a picnic. He reluctantly allowed you 1/2 day off, but you couldn’t enjoy the outing due to your anxiety about being off and worrying that he would start calling you. You don’t think you were good company to your kind friend.

*He is hostile to and about your family. Therefore, you have backed off from interacting with them. He refused to allow you to take a day trip with them. He won’t attend their gatherings and kicks off if you want to go, accusing you of not loving him if you’d leave him alone to attend. He is compelled to tell people they are wrong about things and has no filter, so he has no friends and is on the outs with his family.

*He humiliates you. One morning in March he asked you to ‘help him’ declutter his messy van, as he was picking up someone. When you went out in your pyjamas and coat, he was dumping his van’s trash and clutter on the pavement and you crouched down to start gathering it. He suddenly said he was leaving and you asked him to not move the van yet, as you’d be in clear view of traffic and neighbors. He sped away anyway and you felt mortified. You asked posters if his actions were acceptable.

*He doesn’t care if you are physically uncomfortable. He insists on your accompanying him on his miles and miles of walks, even when you are ill or injured. You enjoy walking a reasonable distance, but he always adds extra miles than agreed on, or goes into rougher terrain. On trips he refuses taxis or public transport, so it’s walk, walk, walk, and you invariably end up in pain and limping for days. He doesn’t care, and if you balk he gets angry, sulks and keeps walking. On a trip to NYC, you had to walk 18+ miles a day, and when you were crying in pain and couldn’t walk the route to dinner, he was furious and refused to get a taxi, bring in take-away, or order room service. You suspect all the hard walking has contributed to your knee and foot injury. At home he insists that you wait on him hand and foot even if you are ill or in pain. When you once burned your hand, he didn’t even comment.

*He has hundreds of rules about everything. This includes home routines, food, and how you spend your money. For example, you are allowed to spend money on your hair but not your nails because he doesn’t like the nail technician. Certain statements and products cannot be mentioned or liked. He decides how much sleep you get, and causes you sleep deprivation.

*No peace or privacy. Whenever you are apart, he bombards you with calls checking up on you, so you are constantly on edge and have developed a stutter. If you cut a call short, he will get back at you for it. He relentlessly checks your phone. One day when you were out and he thought you were in class so didn’t call, you felt utter bliss and peace…

The list goes on and on. You’ve called your life a prison and yourself a shell. You’ve trained yourself to stay in line."

Thehop · 26/11/2021 10:16

Thinking of you today with so much hope! Xx

grapewine · 26/11/2021 10:49

@Lana07

What do you he would do if you told him firmly: I made a decision I want to do another job now. You CAN NOT control my decision if that's what want.

What do you think was your main reason for planning to leave except your desire to got not a family business job?

How did he make your world small except for the job?

Well done for getting the job. Good luck with everything and your decision.

Sometimes reading the thread before commenting really is necessary. This is not just about a job.
ChargingBuck · 26/11/2021 11:01

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

That's nice dear.

If only I'd paid more attention to my abuser's star signs. I'm sure his death threats & my subsequent PTSD & career derailment could have been averted if I'd only thought to read Mystic Meg.

grapewine · 26/11/2021 11:10

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

Genuinely, what utter ridiculousness.
Hen2018 · 26/11/2021 11:14

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

Imagine going through life being such a plank.
ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 26/11/2021 11:42

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

This has to be one of the stupidest responses to a serious DA thread that I've ever seen. And I've been here a while.
BobLemon · 26/11/2021 11:44

Keys today! Oh how exciting!!

Wishing you well OP FlowersSmile

ChinstrapBobblehat · 26/11/2021 11:51

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

I’ve seen some ill-judged and misplaced comments on here over the years, where people haven’t bothered to read the thread or even just the OP’s updates (and have def made those mistakes myself) but this one’s a fuckin humdinger.

There’s a great deal at stake here for the OP, @Lana07 - this man may well be ‘a tricky Sagittarius’ but what’s not in doubt is that he’s a highly abusive and potentially dangerous bastard and this thread is all about supporting her to safely get out of that house and relationship.

Just checking in to see how you are, @SecretJob. So happy you’re still pushing on - you sound really calm and in control. I know the big day’s been slightly delayed but still - not long to go now x

TellMeItsPossible · 26/11/2021 12:25

You're getting there, OP. You are such a strong woman.

PinotPony · 26/11/2021 14:02

@Lana07

*What do you think he would do

What are his and your star signs? I believe in astrology 70%.

Not helpful...
PinotPony · 26/11/2021 14:04

Well done OP. I woke up this morning and my first thought was that it was your date to get your keys.

You're being so strong. Just think you'll be in your new place by Christmas. How lovely!

JacquelineCarlyle · 26/11/2021 14:07

I'm so pleased for you Op and whilst I'd love you to be moved in today, moving bits and pieces and getting yourself sorted before the big move isn't a bad idea. Good luck! Think how amazing this will feel for you!

pointythings · 26/11/2021 15:37

Lana07 there are not enough eyerolls in the world to respond to your idiotic comments. Go away and read DogLady's summary of what OP has endured. And then stay away.