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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

Another cheater thread

62 replies

AngryAtAssholes · 24/11/2021 11:51

A few months back I met a guy on a dating app. His profile said single and as we got chatting he revealed that he and his partner (long term but not married) had separated earlier that year and were still in the same house for the sake of the kids, one of whom has a chronic illness and another MH issues but that he was absolutely free to date.

I was a bit dubious but things seemed to line up. Although a long distance ‘relationship’ we spoke every day, met when we could, and after a while agreed to be exclusive.

In the last couple of weeks he started to withdraw and snap about the stress I was causing him. At the same time, a male friend was in his city and whilst swiping on a hook up app matched with ‘my’ boyfriend. On his profile he stated he was single and bi and looking for casual hookups, threesomes and groups.

When I confronted him he said it was none of my business, he was free to do what he wanted and it was a bit much for me to be annoyed at him being with other people when I’m happy to be with him despite the fact that he’s married.

He then admitted the separation was a lie - it was a rough patch - and he and his wife are now restarting couples therapy and he’s committed to making it work and doesn’t need me trying to wreck his marriage.

Needless to say I blocked him everywhere and am raging at the nerve of him.

Having told some friends about it - all married - they are fairly unanimous that I have a duty to tell his wife what he’s been up to so that she isn’t doing therapy to save a relationship with a cheating scumbag.

I am thinking it’s always the messenger that gets shot and he will twist everything to make me the evil one and him the victim.

What would you do, oh wise ones?

OP posts:
AngryAtAssholes · 24/11/2021 17:09

@sandy354 where did I say I was having unprotected sex with him?
We both tested before we started having sex. We always used condoms.
But nothing is 100% safe, particularly given it seems he has been having a lot of risky sex.

OP posts:
AngryAtAssholes · 24/11/2021 17:18

@EasyBreezy so sorry to hear you went through this. Thanks for sharing.
What shits these men are. The ease they lie with is just staggering. And they just expect to get away with it all.

OP posts:
Lily019 · 24/11/2021 17:30

When I discovered my ex's affair with a married woman, after speaking to her directly, I tracked down her husband and told him. She managed to lie her way out of it, split from poor hubby, (for another reason apparently) taking half their significant joint savings. I kicked him out straight away but her poor Husband only reached out to me over a year later. He and his adult kids have been lied to by his estranged wife all this time. Meanwhile, them two are happily shacked up together and not giving two shits about the carnage they left behind. The pain is immense but being in possession of the truth in my view is the first step in healing. Im sorry you got tied up in this, but I would, in your shoes, definitely let his wife know.

BrilliantBetty · 24/11/2021 17:43

Do tell her if you can find the courage! She should know what a rat he is.

State the facts. Screenshots if you have them. His numbers, pictures possibly?

Everything he's told you is probably a lie.

AngryAtAssholes · 24/11/2021 23:33

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Given he appears to have been shagging anything that moves, I have sent a message to his wife. I’ve left out the emotional side of things and just flagged the risky sex.
I’m dreading the response and feel like I’ve dropped a bomb into someone’s life and run away. I know there’s never a good time to do something like that but Christmas is the very worst!

OP posts:
Tiredofbs123 · 25/11/2021 06:32

You did the right thing. I know it feels awful but you’re not responsible for this, he is. He has wilfully put her at huge risk for a long time.

You don’t know that the separation and counselling isn’t a result of her feeling like something is off and not knowing what. You may have given her the puzzle pieces she needed to piece together why she has felt so off about him.

You did the right thing. You gave her, her personal agency back, that’s a kindness.

FreeBritnee · 25/11/2021 06:35

So he’s happy to fuck anyone? We’re you using protection? Hell yes I’d be telling his wife.

Lilolily · 25/11/2021 08:16

I discovered his cheating one night on twitter, no suspicions, just randomly came across it. Messaged her and it all came out. She was so kind and lovely. Grateful to know. Asked him about her he lied, lied and lied again. Dumped him immediately, me and her are friends. We are so alike it’s scary, like you say could be twins, we think alike too and have the same values etc. We choose to believe the wanker was in our lives so we met eachother 😊

Im sorry you are going through this, it is just awful. you are doing the right thing in telling her. Xx

AngryAtAssholes · 25/11/2021 08:50

@Lilolily so sorry you’ve been through this. I’ve been cheated on before so I know the pain it causes. I thought I knew all the signs - clearly not!

My message has been read but no reply.

OP posts:
Nedclarity · 25/11/2021 09:41

Does he know where you live? I would set up a false Twitter account and not send her anything that can identify you, including screen grabs of messages or any info about your relationship with him. He might come looking for you. Stay safe.

justswaying · 25/11/2021 10:21

You did the right thing. What a scumbag. And he clearly thinks he's invincible. Just hope the wife is strong enough to leave, it's not easy.

AngryAtAssholes · 25/11/2021 10:32

@Nedclarity he does.
I don’t think he’d come after me. He has quite a high profile in his field of expertise and a scandal like that would ruin him.
At worst I’d be in for self pitying diatribes about treachery and love.

OP posts:
layladomino · 25/11/2021 10:43

You've done the right thing. And the the timing isn't your fault. He is lying, cheating, taking risks with her health. She needs to know. However upsetting this is for her, that's on him not you.

sandy354 · 25/11/2021 11:29

Well done OP. You down the right thing and have nothing to feel bad about. All the guilt is on him.

You'll need to let us know if she replies. Did you send screenshots/evidence?

AngryAtAssholes · 25/11/2021 11:46

Well, she’s blocked me. Not before calling me a liar and a disgusting whore. I’m sick in the head spreading vile lies about her husband. Messages are clearly photoshopped, she’ll go to the police if I contact either of them again.

So, can’t say it was worth the guilt or anguish, but I’m at least done with the situation.
And good luck to her.

OP posts:
showmethegin · 25/11/2021 11:56

Well you did the right thing, your conscience is clear.

JSL52 · 25/11/2021 12:09

Well more fool her. You did the right thing. What a bastard.
Although it might make her wonder next time he has to 'work late '.

KimmySchmidt · 25/11/2021 12:19

Wow! There is nothing like a person determined to put their head in the sand, eh. That’s her problem and you did the right thing.

tarasmalatarocks · 25/11/2021 12:19

You know OP- I think sometimes wives (and husbands) react like this in shock— I think this will now be in her mind and she will subconsciously be on her guard and very probably doing some digging. I still think you have done her a favour- even if she can’t see it at the moment

Skeumorph · 25/11/2021 12:22

Shock and anger talking.

You did the right thing and your conscience is clear! Well done.

She will now start looking herself, hopefully.

By the way, I think people assumed that you were probably not using protection as you commented 'shit, I need to get tested' - of course, you are right that protection or not, with this kind of level of irresponsibility you should get tested anyway!

Good luck x

ravenmum · 25/11/2021 13:14

Well, if she does ever decide to do anything about it after all, she has something to work with. You can understand why she'd rather tell herself a stranger was a disgusting liar than her own husband - at first, at least. You've acted like a responsible adult.

timeisnotaline · 25/11/2021 13:19

Your conscience is clear, I’d still be glad I’ve told her. Some stranger insulting me over text isn’t going to ruin my day.

thisplaceisapigsty · 25/11/2021 13:40

You did the right thing, OP, and despite her reaction she will hear what you are saying. It's up to her now.

Jennalong · 25/11/2021 17:07

As the saying goes " Don't shoot the messenger "
She choose to shoot you , but in reality she's burying her head. You might or not have been the first , but you won't be the last. Shame on him.

Philly1234 · 25/11/2021 19:35

Wouldn’t you want to know if you were married to a deceitful d*ck like him? I bloody well would. Tell her but try to do it anonymously if you can

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