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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

Husband left me and my teenage children on New Year. I have no idea what to do now. (Content warning: concerns sexual abuse and domestic violence)

345 replies

FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 05:39

Hello all lovely ladies on mumset, I really really need some help in a crisis situation please. I have no one to turn to at the moment and am totally alone.

The day before New Year, my husband of almost 20 years walked out on us and went to his parent's house. He has been having an emotional and possible sexual affair for some time I believe and I was suspicious for two years. Typical middle aged man, younger woman scenario. I am 50 and she is early 30's. She has been after him for more than a a year now and has moved moved down to London from Glasgow to be near him. He helped her move here and is now involved
much more closely.

He has become cruel, unkind and heartless toward me, speaking with a different voice, sending me authoritative emails about when he is returning to collect his things and stating that he is not going to divorce yet. The house is in his name and he says he will not sell. I simply do not recognise him and my kids are absolutely devastated.

Last month, we were buying gifts for parents and friends together in a antique shop. He bought a Molton Brown Christmas bauble saying it was for his mum. I thought it was odd as he has never been interested in toiletries. Later that week, I found that and the same set of hand creams he had bought me in a bag with pants, new ladies black t shirts and socks by his desk - I knew it was a bag packed to go to this woman. She is Polish and works in IT. They met at a mutual friend's wedding in the Czech Republic in 2019.

Before he left last week, I tried to reason with him to save our marriage. I consented to sex ( it's been many months ) but he then basically rammed my legs open, shoved himself inside me, had an orgasm. He came out, turned over and went to sleep. He hurt me. he has never done that before, but because i initially consented to help keep him at home , I cannot claim rape .The next day he said he had angry sex, that he had used me and taken advantage of me. I wish I had recorded this!

He has now kept on and on texting me with accusations of my emotional abuse abuse in arguments; throwing lots and lots of text messages etc at me from the past. He has recorded all out arguments and sent them to me as evidence. But they actually show even in 2018 that I was asking him about our relationship and how unhappy I was. He never replied to the issues I raised properly. I admit I have behaved badly in arguments and shouted but never threatened him in any way.

Last year, he hit me with a bottle after a row which was thrown across the room and caused me extensive bruising all across on my arm, a large hematoma and significant pain. I did not press charges. He says that I am the abusive partner due to my verbal bullying. I do have photos.

He now states he is leaving me but not my children. He tells me he does not love me, never has and wishes he never married me. He is demanding to return to the house after leaving last week to see my 3 teenage kids aged 14,16 and 17. They do not want to see him.

He says he will come back, see them, collect his things and go back home to his mum and dad for good. He is insisting on a trial separation and will not divorce me until he is ready. That he will keep
me in in our family home ( an area I really don't like or want to stay in) until my youngest is 18. He is dominating every conversation and interaction we have now. He refuses to respond via text most days and calls me instead when convenient for him. He has suggested that the come home at weekends only and stay at his mums during the week. \he says he will not come home again to stay as I am forcing him into a relationship again where he will be abused by me verbally and I'm a bully. He says alternatively I could leave. Yet just last week he was out with me going for a long walk and a take out coffee.

I have nor slept or eaten at all well since he left. In November, 2019 I just started a new job full time in education after a 17 year break as a stay at home mum. About 2 weeks into this, he started telling me I was awful, how wanted to leave and goaded me every day stating he no longer wanted the relationship and that he was leaving. I ran off on the day he told me day last month and went to my local woods to walk, think and had a drink to calm myself down after he stated he was leaving. He said if I did that again he was leaving.

I believe he has been planning this exit for a long time with this woman. He says he is as his parent's house. I have begged him to come home but he says I am controlling and manipulating him.

I do not know what to do. Should I file for divorce? He is saying that he will work at his parents and come up weekends to see the kids and help with the house but has left me. I do not think that this is helpful as he will be with this woman while I am alone. He is very evasive about the relationship and tells me nothing about it. He has been very secretive for months and months. I was so suspicious- I tried every thing to get evidence.

He wants to wait for the no fault divorce but I do not. He has been so so awful to me and rude every day since I started work. I have a large abdominal hernia and separated abdominal muscles. I need
significant surgery plus have diagnosed mental health conditions and am in in NHS therapy. I am quite weak. He is younger, no health problems. l I live in a small town with no support. I cannot drive and he has taken the car. I have nothing now. I am on compassionate leave from my work as I am trying to help support my children and am too distressed to work in school with the stress. he says I should just go to work as get on as normal.

If anyone could provide me with some advice I would be very grateful. I am at a total loss. I can barely write and it's been a few days now. This man has blind sided me, although I was very suspicious,. He has abandoned me and the children taking no responsibility.

He is just blaming and accusing me saying its all my fault. He will not return and says if he comes back he comes to see the kids and then will go back to his parents. I have no family to help or friends, I am alone here. I had no notion that he would leave like this, he has clearly been encouraged and prompted by this woman to leave me and built up to it He says he wants divorce later but no decision has been made. My two elder kids are in their final year of exams- my son Year 11, daughter Yr 13. This is so so stressful for them but they don't see the long term consequences. He says he will never be reconciled to me ever again.

I have £600 in my account and that's it. Should I apply for a divorce? What should I do ? I can't have him here just waling back in and dominating me. He has said that if he stays, he will have sex with her and then come back regularly after 3 days. He then asks me if I am in love with him and talks about our cats. He is expecting me to just carry on as normal while he leaves me with no support or help with my physical problems. The house is in need of real repair and renovation, it's in quite a state and he's just left me with it here in a poor condition,. I cannot run it alone with no notice. I have stated all this to him in texts but he ignores me.

Sorry this is long. I am desperate. I have no money, no car, friends of support, My job is minimum wage due to my physical problem of my hernia stopping me working in my old career as a teacher. My DH has literally upped and gone and turned into this awful awful man who now thinks I'm scum. He is so rude to me now and just exopect me to continue as normal without him. He told me he said in his mind- "just one more row over something small and that's it" Yet he is now making me go over and over all out rows from 4-5 years ago. I gave up my career, my health and life to move to Kent from London to facilitate his life. What should I do? Should I cut contact? I am just devastated by this.

Thank you for any advice. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 12/01/2022 16:24

Well I have an update.

He wants to move back in as friends and live separately in this tiny tiny home. No spare room. He also wants to see this other woman leaving me free to have new relationships.

I phoned wikivorce (an online charity) and they said after a fortnight I can’t stop him moving back in as he owns the house legally.

After what he’s done and the upset caused to me and the kids, I don’t want him here. He’s threatened ( even though I’ve been the main carer and my children are all successful young adults), that he will call social services if he sees I’m drinking or upset.

He says he’s coming back to protect my children from me. My daughter is 18 in two weeks and all my children are very close to me. He left us! Now he’s threatening me.

Is this woman correct? I have to live him while he sleeps around. He’s not my friend and I don’t want a friendship. He won’t separate or divorce.

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 12/01/2022 16:26

Don't trust anything your husband says.

Have you contacted Women's Aid, and/or citizen's advice?

ArabellaScott · 12/01/2022 16:27

And did you report his abuse?

Graphista · 12/01/2022 16:31

Wikivorce FAR from experts!

Speak to womens aid or an actual lawyer with expertise in DA

ClawedButler · 12/01/2022 16:45

Oh hell no, you need to talk to a proper lawyer about that.

Who in the name of the risen Christ does he think he is?? Set off a bomb like that into family life, then blame you for being upset??

I am FURIOUS on your behalf, OP. Not content with fucking everyone over once, he's wanting to reverse up and do it again for good measure! How DARE he! "Protect the children" indeed. He just wants to extend his power trip.

Christ, I am RAGING.

ClawedButler · 12/01/2022 16:46

"We are not friends. You chose to move out. You cannot force me to stay married to you. My solicitor will be in touch about details"

StrifeOfBath · 12/01/2022 16:50

He won’t separate or divorce
Er, that isn’t down to him.

See a solicitor, in person.

Also, this is why you need / needed to have reported the bottle throwing injury. So that the police could set up an order to keep him away from you.

Generally people are entitled to enter houses they co own. But the police can stop him.

Please OP, you cannot deal with this man through an online divorce and without professional help.

See a proper lawyer, talk to Women’s Aid and for the love of god stop paying attention to his bullshit pronouncements.

He will report you to SS , ridiculous! As if SS intervene everyone someone gets upset or has a drink.

FrolickingFannyBoots · 12/01/2022 16:52

I have no history with social services at any point in 20 years, just to add.

I am a secondary teacher of 11 years but but work as a TA in a primary school. So I have a long history of full time mother and teacher.

I’ve never had any contact with professional agencies.

Can I stop this man from dominating me? He’s redirecting his mail as well so I don’t see finances. I had that through this morning by Royal Mail.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 12/01/2022 16:54

Yes I have a zoom with a solicitor booked but it’s not for 2 weeks. She is excellent and I want to use her so will have to wait.

OP posts:
FrolickingFannyBoots · 12/01/2022 16:56

I have spoken to Women’s Aid and they gave me advice last week. I did report the bottle throwing to the police. So maybe I can use that.

OP posts:
StellaGibson118 · 12/01/2022 17:07

Contact the police and see if you can rush through an occupation order. Is he saying this on phone calls? Theres nothing to stop you recording his calls

StellaGibson118 · 12/01/2022 17:08

I meant those as two separate things of course, but the police may be able to warn him not to return to the property

ArabellaScott · 12/01/2022 17:12

Great you've reported his abuse, OP, well done.

This man is a lying, abusive piece of shit. Listen to nothing he says, nothing at all. He will say ANYTHING to try and undermine and attack and weaken you.

Great you're booked in with a solicitor, too.

What did the police say, I wonder if you could get a non-molestation or nonharassment order or something (- I'm sorry, you really do need professional advice here). Just because someone is married to you does NOT mean they have the right to threaten, hurt or scare you. Like a pp, I am fucking raging at this man on your behalf.

The short answer is yes you can stop him from dominating you, of course you can. It will take time to recover from years of being gaslit, undermined, attacked, minimised, used and abused. First you need your boundaries and your legal affairs in order. Once you've got all that then you can start to heal.

You will get there, OP. I'm in awe of how far you've got already. Keep on keeping on. We're with you. Flowers

ClawedButler · 12/01/2022 17:23

He's going to ring social services if you have a drink?? Silly stupid foghorn twat. Making more bullshit proclamations to keep you down and under control.

He clearly has zero idea of how social services works. Or, for that matter, human beings.

ClawedButler · 12/01/2022 17:24

Or the law.

Itsnotdeep · 12/01/2022 17:44

Can you try NCDV @FrolickingFannyBoots ? they might be able to advise you urgently. Also Gingerbread might be able to give you some guidance before you see the solicitor. .

FrolickingFannyBoots · 12/01/2022 17:59

I’ve no money for a lawyer at the moment, that’s my problem. Thanks for the support everyone. Xx

OP posts:
StrifeOfBath · 12/01/2022 18:10

@FrolickingFannyBoots

I’ve no money for a lawyer at the moment, that’s my problem. Thanks for the support everyone. Xx
The solicitor can take their fee out of the eventual divorce settlement.
ArabellaScott · 12/01/2022 18:19

www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/getting-an-injunction/

'An occupation order regulates who can live in the family home, and can also restrict your abuser from entering the surrounding area. If you do not feel safe continuing to live with your partner, or if you have left home because of violence, but want to return and exclude your abuser, you may want to apply for an occupation order.'

StellaGibson118 · 12/01/2022 19:27

You can represent yourself for non mol/occ order. My friend did, we filled the forms out together and I wrote her statement. X

StellaGibson118 · 12/01/2022 19:29

www.gov.uk/injunction-domestic-violence

FrolickingFannyBoots · 13/01/2022 07:53

Thank you everyone for this support. If any can face reading my long post, please reply if you can add anything .

I think the main problem I have is that I don’t have enough evidence to make any real escalated police complaint stick.

Yes, he threw a large bottle of water at me hard after an argument last year and caused a huge bruise that turned my arm black. I have photos. And last month I agreed to sex but I was coerced thinking it would help the marriage. It was awful as I’ve explained and he told me he’d used me.

But no more than that and I have no solid evidence of assault. I’m not sure it’s enough to make a formal police complaint that goes anywhere. He’s not a violent man and these two incidents are not usual.

The male police officer sided with him in our lounge and my husband reported to me that he said it was “goodbye sex” which certainly was not how I saw it. It was vile. I have him in record saying it was “ horrible “.

I don’t know what to do about all this I must admit ( I have already told the police about both incidents when they visited and the woman said I could escalate )

He is now saying by email he wants no relationship with me but is happy to move back in as a friend. I’m not well enough to work a 5 day week, ( it was only temporary and I started only in November) yet he is saying my abdominal problems don’t prevent me from doing it, which is untrue. I require major surgery and am in daily pain. My condition is very obvious and I can only wear very floaty dresses and use abdominal belts to support me.

Or he says he comes up weekends only. But that means I now have to cope running this house ( it’s in poor condition) all week on my own and work full time. The kids may help a big but they are very busy and it means I have to still do most of the chores.

He is saying that if he moves back in he will have other relationships when he ready or continue his current emotional affair but obviously will still be in the house and married to me. He says he is not divorcing yet. He says he is coming back for the children and the house but not me.

When he left the house, I told his mother via text he was leaving me for a younger woman and how upset I was. I also told her that I knew she’d never liked me and I had always felt unsupported by her, which is true.

I’ve held my feelings in about this for 20 years and in the crisis of the moment, I said this as I bottled it up. Apparently she is livid and I’ve “ burnt my bridges”.

I had tried to reach out to his family for many years as I have no family of my own being sadly estranged. They have always known this.This year I bought them all nice gifts but always felt I was just DH’s wife to them. They have never taken any interest in me or cared about what I do. I’ve always stayed polite.

His sister has never let me or my husband have any bond with her child, despite my allowing her always to play with my children from the very start 20 years ago and I have many photos of her playing with all my children throughout their lives. I’ve not one with her child and she barely knows who I am. Yet this is my fault he says even though he never sees his sister much either. She used to come to our town ( a half hr drive from hers) with her daughter for swimming but never visited us or told us she was here. But I’m wrong he says. That I should have called her if I’d wanted to see her baby. I even helped her cope with the birth. Yet it’s all my fault.

He says now I must apologise to his mum and that I’m trying to alienate him from his family. No I’m not. I was extremely upset by him walking out on us- distraught. They all think (apparently) he was right to leave me and without any other support in place. I’ve told him he’s left me with no car, no extra funds, no support for my health etc and his response was I’m trying to “ guilt trip” him. That I should just sort my life out now as a single mum.

He says I’m free now to see who I want, but I must work full time if he comes back and says I need to be out of the house, that I should just do what I want now.

He’s just washed his hands of me. He blames me completely and says I’m just a bully. He has recorded our arguments and played them to his family. He does not read or reply to my emails. He has told me over and over how bad I am via email. He threatens social services despite no contact with them throughout my children’s childhood. He says it’s up to me to live my life now.

My 3 choices are:

  1. He returns and stays here as is his right but has other relationships while in the house in front of me and we sleep separately but not officially separated or divorced. ( my house is a terraced tiny house) He will not divorce.
  1. He comes up weekends but that means I have no support coping in this house with its maintanance problems and my poor health during the week . This puts an intolerable strain on me as there is so much to do and I get very tired from my abdominal pain / restrictions, plus menopausal issues.

( The NHS have refused me surgery saying my hernia and hugely separated muscles are cosmetic. My case is now up at an escalated stage of complaint and I was offered it years ago at St Thomas’s Hospital, so I may have some hope. My hernia and no core muscles cause me constant pain and I can’t live normally, get healthy or work as a teacher.

  1. I divorce and move which the kids don’t want to do in their final year of exams. They have begged me not to. But that means I stay here not moving forward for 3 years living married but alone with my husband cheating or he divorced when he chooses. I want to leave the area as soon as if I can but the kids education comes first for another 2 /3 years.

If anyone has any ideas as to how I cope with this, please let me know. Legally I can’t stop him coming back.

I am so tired. I am going to lose everything in a few years once my kids leave home and my husband divorces me. I face a very difficult future with my health concerns if the NHS still won’t mend my hernia, plus his £65k debt ( which I didn’t know about) means there is almost no equity, my age at 50 and no way of ever owning my own home again. Plus all this means it is hard for meet today meet someone else staying in this small town.

I’ve no money for any legal bills. I can’t see a lawyer at the moment as I can’t pay. I’m not entitled to legal aid except I might be able to get a loan to pay for the divorce which is then taken out of the settlement.

I am at a total loss. Sorry this is long. I’ve been dumped like a sack of potatoes. He refuses to discuss his infidelity and ignores all my requests for an open conversation yet attacks me for all I’ve done.

I don’t have any bills, pension or payslips to show.

OP posts:
layladomino · 13/01/2022 09:30

I'm sure others will be along with better legal experience than me, but I can tell you for certain that he doesn't get to dictate how things go from here. It isn't up to him. It is up to you when you decide to file for divorce. You said your children have asked you not to do that, but they are children. They don't understand the ins and outs, and you as their parent have to decide what is best - for you and them.

Take all the legal advice you can. Stop listening to your ex who is making up the rules as he goes along. And any money he has is both yours. In marriage there is no 'his and hers'. So he can try to hide it but that will come out during the divorce. Make sure you tell your solicitor that he has been hiding money.

And please please please tell the police everything about the assualt / rape. You say they aren't so bad but they really are. If the Police Officer you spoke to genuinely 'sided with your husband' about that, then make a complaint about the police officer. No decent professional Police Officer would have said that.

Show them photos, play them any recordings, tell them your DH admitted it was agressive and intentional. You didn't agree to the sexx you had. You agreed to something, under sufference and because you thought it might save your marriage (ie you were coerced, which is illegal). He then turned nasty and aggressive, which you didn't agree to (which is rape).

He is acting only in his own interests now. Not yours, not your childrens. You have to act in yours and your children's interests, and that means
a) stop listening to DH and his made up rules and dictates of how this will work
b) take legal advice (and don't be rushged in to any decisions in the meantime)
c) report him to the police and don't hold back any information. You owe that man absolutely nothing.

nogoingbacktothefuture · 13/01/2022 10:04

While I do sympathise with you situation OP and agree you need help there are a lot of things which don't add up.

You've said you can't work due to your hernia condition and are fighting the NHS to give you an operation, so why did you turn down the one from St Thomas's that you were offered?

You said you gave up your career for your husband and to look after the house/kids but you are saying you are unable to physically work and that the kids need to help you/the house is in a bad state. What have you been doing for the last 20 years?

You are placing a lot of emphasis on not being given access to a car but you can't drive.

What has been happening that he would feel the need to contact social services?

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