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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

What woman does this

118 replies

Joeynelson · 14/12/2021 21:27

8 years ago the great friends husband died and I spent over a year putting her life back together along with supporting her four children.
But then as a widow she crossed far too boundaries with my husband. I felt uncomfortable and I knew she wanted him. He knew I was not happy with her behaviour.
we are now recently separated and not even divorced and guess what the two of them are already dating
he has even told my children I am absolutely sickened and I don't want him but I just wanna know what kind of woman behaves like that after everything. It repulses me and it plays mind games in my head. I'm appalled. He always denied having feelings for her but OMG. seriously??
Rebound? He did not want the marriage to end and he loved me.
How can I process the behaviour of both of them?? Please give me advice. I can't stop him from having relationships but seriously her?

OP posts:
HangingOutWithTheSandman · 16/12/2021 02:24

He's trying to survive.

Poor lamb, there was just nothing else for it than to put his penis inside OPs best friend. He may have died without doing that. Hmm Thank goodness he did it and ‘survived’.

CheeseMmmm · 16/12/2021 03:30

Some women do shit things and some men do shit things.

Sounds to me like he wasn't rejecting her advances as much as he presumably said or implied.

For me the real betrayal is that she was a good friend. And he was your husband.

Assuming started then. Or they held off but both knew they wanted to.

Him telling kids was a dick move as well.

They're as bad as each other.

Not sure why in feminism but up to you OP obviously where want to put it.

blacktreegreysky · 16/12/2021 09:33

You are, understandably, looking at this from your point of view. But they, understandably, are looking at it from theirs. It seems clear from your post that you ended the marriage and he did not want it to end. Given this, it is hardly surprising that he has headed straight for a woman who has already expressed interest in him. This actually makes sense from his point of view. You are clearly in the ' I don't want you but I don't want you to move on yet', stage. Which is understandable. But from his perspective, moving on in part of his healing from the unwanted end of his marriage.

From her perspective, her husband died. Grief can do weird things to people, they handle it in different ways. None of us know what was in her head when she was flirting with your husband whilst you were married. It may have been harmless, a desire to still feel attractive or alive, or that she could still flirt. It might have been more than that. But nothing happened. Once he was free, well, to be blunt, she's widowed and lonely and saw this as a chance of happiness and to start a new relationship and move on with her life. And he's single and you didn't want him.

They are living their lives from their perspective. And they are both single. None of what they are doing is to hurt you. Its to heal both their lives and move forward from a brokenness that neither of them wanted.

He is a dick, however, for telling your children. That's completely self-absorbed and shows an absence of an ability to see things from another's point of view. I can see why you ended the marriage if that was typical behaviour. Flowers

I also agree with PP that none of this is a feminist issue.

Joeynelson · 16/12/2021 13:55

Apologies to you all. I'm new to this and didn't post on the right page. Indeed it's not a feminist issue. My mistake. Sorry. I need to learn how to put my comments in the correct subject.

OP posts:
ESGdance · 16/12/2021 14:37

@Theunamedcat

Grubby behaviour

Are your children adults do you need to keep in touch with him?

He could be using her for revenge knowing it will get to you and hurt you my advice would be don't react class it out and vent on mumsnet

Yes I agree that revenge and a huge fuck you for ending the marriage may have decided his choice of partner - as this would hurt you the most. Him telling the children would also point to him wanting you to know sooner rather than later.

Dignity and silence are your super powers don’t give either of them the reaction and drama they want.

I hope you can reframe his choices here as confirming that your decision to end the marriage as 1000% correct.

Hope you can channel indifference and your DCs are OK.

Themummilly · 16/12/2021 15:08

I agree the way to go is dignity and silence. It may not feel like it at the time but when you look back in the future you will notice that the 'best' outcomes for you were when you remained dignified and silent on the issues.
You won't manage it all the time but make a real effort and it will work for you long-term. You're going through an incredibly difficult time and you didn't deserve this from either of them. Karma works in mysterious ways and their coupling might not actually become what you think it is going to be.

Bookworm20 · 16/12/2021 16:54

@KimikosNightmare

10:30DontKnowWhatToThink7 Do you believe they were together before you separated? If not, then I don't see a problem with two single people starting a relationship

Really?

There are different issues. The OP isn't wrong to feel hurt or upset but she is now separated from her husband.

It's no business of hers who her husband is now involved with.

Fuck me, theres 2 of them.

OP, that is terrible, they are both disgusting. I'm so sorry, no idea how you come to terms with that. Do you ahve anyone in real life who can support you?

girafferafferaffe · 16/12/2021 16:57

I feel your pain. What bastards. My dad had an affair with someone. He took us (siblings and mum) away on holiday with her and her son while they were doing it.

Never forgiven him nor her but now I am an adult and a mother I do not understand how she could live with herself. How you could look at his kids faces and still carry on.

RantyAunty · 16/12/2021 17:03

He saw her as low hanging fruit so he went for it.
Both of them desperate and a bit pathetic.

FabriqueBelgique · 16/12/2021 17:04

OP Flowers

That is absolutely gutting.

I honestly don’t know how a woman could do that. The fact is, some people are very selfish. I couldn’t do that to another woman’s kids either.

The only way through is to hold your head up high in public and have a good fucking cry in private! (I almost typed Primark there, but I don’t recommend that). Rinse and repeat. Build an excellent life for yourself, in time.

It will get better.

MingePies · 16/12/2021 17:07

@CorrBlimeyGG

Do you believe they were together before you separated? If not, then I don't see a problem with two single people starting a relationship.
Would you be feeling the same way if it happened to you?

Really tho? Would you?

Somehow I don't think so....

MingePies · 16/12/2021 17:08

@FabriqueBelgique

OP Flowers

That is absolutely gutting.

I honestly don’t know how a woman could do that. The fact is, some people are very selfish. I couldn’t do that to another woman’s kids either.

The only way through is to hold your head up high in public and have a good fucking cry in private! (I almost typed Primark there, but I don’t recommend that). Rinse and repeat. Build an excellent life for yourself, in time.

It will get better.

I've cried in Primark 🤣
waterSpider · 16/12/2021 17:13

The myth of the 'girl code' strikes again ...

lilmishap · 16/12/2021 17:20

What a pair of treacherous snakes, in terms of processing it must feel like you've been in a train crash at the minute. As was said above talking, talking and more talking will help, but it's one of those shitty 'only time will help' situations and with a close friend being involved you're likely hesitant to want to open up to anyone.

I'm so sorry, what a pair of shits.

Helpstopthepain · 16/12/2021 18:18

Sounds like they may be a perfect match @Joeynelson, neither appear to have any morals.

Onwards and upwards!

KimikosNightmare · 16/12/2021 18:21

@HangingOutWithTheSandman

He's trying to survive.

Poor lamb, there was just nothing else for it than to put his penis inside OPs best friend. He may have died without doing that. Hmm Thank goodness he did it and ‘survived’.

"Survive" is a silly term to use but from the facts provided OP instigated the separation so it's none of her business where he puts his penis.
HangingOutWithTheSandman · 16/12/2021 18:44

"Survive" is a silly term to use but from the facts provided OP instigated the separation so it's none of her business where he puts his penis.

If you don’t see the issue with her ex being with her friend, you must have very low expectations of the people In your life. I expect better, your choice of you don’t.

JustmeandtheKIDS2 · 16/12/2021 19:03

How horrible for you. Xx
Personally I would end my friendship with this lady and just have minimal contact with the ex.
I know things must feel totally horrible for you atm but just remain dignified. Give it time, sit back, I have a strong feeling that it won't last long and the last laugh will be on them!
Tbh I would be more upset with her rather than him. Regardless of if you were in a relationship with him or not, I don't think it's very kind of either of them.

disconnecteddrifter · 16/12/2021 19:15

She flirted with him 8 years ago. You dumped him and have no say in who he sees. Maybe she values him more than you?
I get it hurts but you can't control people and they are both single. Try to separate the issues for your kids sakes

blisstwins · 16/12/2021 19:23

Did you leave him because of this or for other reasons. If for other reasons and they were both free it feels shitty, but is not morally wrong (though annoying). Leave her to him and move on. He should have shut things down years ago and also should have waited until your divorce is done, but whatevah. You clearly made a good decision to leave.

JinglingHellsBells · 16/12/2021 19:25

No one can 'steal' a human being.

He is as guilty as she is. Stop blaming her and focus on what your ex did. he didn't have to give in to the temptress.

She's a convenient girlfriend to have around but they may not last.
Rebound in many ways for both of them.

JinglingHellsBells · 16/12/2021 19:29

I don't understand your anger.

You initiated your separation it seems.

But then you are upset your STBE is dating a widow who is your friend. Or was.

He's free to date who he wants.

Just because she flirted with him doesn't mean he had to dance to her tune.

Is this a case of I don't want him but neither do I want anyone else to have him

drpet49 · 16/12/2021 19:51

* She flirted with him 8 years ago. You dumped him and have no say in who he sees.*

^This. You have no right to be seething. Get over it.

StopGo · 16/12/2021 20:13

I'm a widow. I've lost a lot of acquaintances as I am seen as a threat. I would never have an affair with anyone and especially not a friend's partner. I know beyond doubt how much losing a partner hurts.

Duchess379 · 16/12/2021 20:17

Elizabeth Taylor & Eddie Fisher spring to mind. I'm so sorry that the 2 people you've trusted the most have turned into the biggest wankers! I know it's hard but I'd just cut them off. How old are your kids- do you have to sort out visitation etc? Totally shit situation 🥺💕

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