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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:
SunshineCake1 · 06/01/2022 07:29

@FrolickingFannyBoots

Thank you so much for this advice. He says that because I consented initially, it is not rape.
You didn't consent to being treated roughly. You need to report this plus the fact he threw a bottle at you. This has coercive control written all over it and that is illegal.

Take back control.

File for divorce. Look into moving where YOU want to live.

Support your kids in not seeing this fucking prick and say thank you God I no longer have to wash this turd of a man's pants and start being free.

BlackSwan · 06/01/2022 07:30

This is truly horrific. I would also suggest speaking with your GP if you're having trouble sleeping & with heightened anxiety, it may be worth taking something to support you in the short term for that.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 06/01/2022 07:35

It is rape and it is abuse. Lets see him take you to court for any of your "abuse" he'll be laughed out trust me.
My ex husband tried this one OP after years of his violence and the judge told him to shut up. They just are not interested, I shouted at my ex plenty.
He's just trying to intimidate and gaslight you by turning everything on its head.
Crack on with the divorce. The whole thing can be done online.

CheekyHobson · 06/01/2022 07:37

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.

Without knowing the content of these texts, from the other things you've written it seems highly likely that your husband is in fact the emotionally abusive one and the recorded arguments will likely paint him in a much worse light than you to any objective observer.

If you are having mental health treatment, it may be worthwhile playing these recordings to your counsellor and looking for an independent opinion on what they show.

My200lbLife · 06/01/2022 07:40

This is so appalling, I just can’t believe the way men flip when they decide they want to ieave

As op said

Open bank account
Get paperwork together
Police
Solicitor
Move all the cash you

So sorry.

My mum was you and we still despise him for treating her so badly. She’s here in my house having stayed for a while over Christmas and we are very close. In the 20 years since their divorce my dad has never set foot in my house. He is lonely and regretful. He was an arrogant abusive bastard who had us all terrified.

Toocoldtocamp · 06/01/2022 07:42

Your children will see him for who he is... 'give someone enough rope'
Just be neutral and let that play out. He doesn't get to cherry pick bits of family life either.

SunflowerTed · 06/01/2022 07:46

@FrolickingFannyBoots

I do not think there is enough equity in the house to provide two homes. He says I must stay here until the kids are 18 and I cannot file and sell up. I have 2 in their final year so need to stay here for a while. Yes I want a fresh start away from this area. I am trying to be brave and strong for my kids as much as I can. Thank you for the messages of support. I am confused if I should report the coercive sex as rape.
Take back some control. He cannot call the shots. Go and see a solicitor. He has left now - I would take a huge sigh of relief he sounds like a tyrant and a nasty piece of work xx
beastlyslumber · 06/01/2022 07:48

You've had some good advice here OP and I've nothing to add to that, but I just wanted to send you some FlowersCakeBrew

Your husband is an abusive piece of shit. You will get through this time and look back with relief that you got out. He is also a liar - do not accept the things he's telling you about your legal rights or anything else.

RobinsReliant · 06/01/2022 07:51

I am so sorry you are suffering. As a previous poster says, men rewrite history in these situations. So every good time you had, every positive experience will be rewritten as being a time he didn’t enjoy. He will, as he has done already, say you are responsible for everything that’s happening. Had you loved him more or loved him in the right way he would have stayed….etc etc. They have to do this to absolve themselves of responsibility and to create a scenario where they are the good person and you are the bad person.

Do not listen to this. Everything he is saying will be crap. He won’t know the truth any more and, as you say, you won’t recognise him.

You may not be feeling strong now but you will get stronger over the coming weeks and months and you will be able to take control.

I promise you that a year from now you will be in a better place. Get advice and, when you are ready, take control.

Please stay safe and look after yourself.

💐 for you.

Longdistance · 06/01/2022 07:51

This sounds truly awful for you. I hope you get plenty of rest. Once you’re up, contemplate on contacting a solicitor and get a divorce sorted before he does. He’s absolutely vile and I’d have nothing to do with him.
Speak to WA and get onto entitled to website. Also, put in a claim with CMS.
Stop listening to his demands, you are the one that should take control of what happens next, not him.

RunningInTheWind · 06/01/2022 07:54

Unfortunately divorce isn’t straightforward in Scotland if there are children and so there is no cheap/quick option as you need to agree on the children and it doesn’t sound like this man wants to agree…

Today I’m going to sign my divorce papers - funded by Scottish legal aid to get me finished with the abusive prick.

Go to WA and get some emotional support and let them help you find a solicitor. I’d recommend a female one, got a male one initially who I felt implied I was out for a personal vendetta. Hmm although I have a lovely male one now.

skodadoda · 06/01/2022 07:57

@FrolickingFannyBoots

I do not think there is enough equity in the house to provide two homes. He says I must stay here until the kids are 18 and I cannot file and sell up. I have 2 in their final year so need to stay here for a while. Yes I want a fresh start away from this area. I am trying to be brave and strong for my kids as much as I can. Thank you for the messages of support. I am confused if I should report the coercive sex as rape.
You need to get advice from a proper lawyer. I presume your H is not a lawyer, he’s browbeating you.
StinkyBumFartyBaby · 06/01/2022 07:59

Don't be afraid of your freedom! You're stronger than you think Flowers

BluebellsGreenbells · 06/01/2022 08:04

Everything you write is all about him, what he says, what he does, what he thinks - you need to change that narrative.

Get benefits sorted.

All bills will be in his name for the house because he’s the legal owner, you can not pay rent without a rental agreement so he has to pay the rent or mortgage whilst you are living there. You can claim council tax without housing benefit, so that’s on him as well. - don’t pay these -

You can file for a divorce, he has to house the children so you’ll get a bigger chunk, once the kids hit 18 it’s 50/50 so it’s in his interest to keep you there

Please start seeing this for what it is and has always been.

VioletLemon · 06/01/2022 08:09

Please believe that getting a vgood lawyer is essential. This man is abusive and you should report rape. You can get out of this marriage without having to put up with more abuse and antagonising. He sounds like a total prick who will drag this out until he gets dumped. You and your children deserve much much more. Lawyers give a free initial consultation so ask for recommendations and push on. Do not let him back in house just follow lawyers advice. Contact police. You can do this.

Californiadreaming21 · 06/01/2022 08:15

Please, please don't let him dictate what happened, or set the story. He's not going to say or do anything to disadvantage himself. I would absolutely stop responding to him, this is potential criminal situation.

Stay strong and hold on to the side of the boat, there is support out there and you WILL get through this.

crummyusername · 06/01/2022 08:16

Knowledge is power here. Try to read up on your rights. I’d recommend ‘the family lawyers guide to divorce’, and ‘divorcing a narcissist’. Make sure you have a safe place to hide things away from the kids. Start a folder of paperwork / notes. You’ll feel better for taking some control.

Simplelobsterhat · 06/01/2022 08:16

Others will have more knowledge than me on on the legal and financial side of things, but I found your posts heartbreaking so just wanted to say:

  1. please no more begging him to come home. This man has been physically and sexually violent to you and had an affair. He doesn't deserve you, he doesn't make you happy and although it's going to be difficult for a while, in the long term you will be much better off without him and so will your children. He should be begging forgiveness for the things he has done and instead is blaming and verbally abusing you. That shows you exactly who he is.

  2. Read your posts back and see how many times you have written 'he says'. None of those sentences should be taken seriously by you. He is obviously biased and wants things his own way, and he is (I assume) not a legal expert anyway. So stop believing things he tells you about what you have to do and how things will be. Talk to womens aid, citizens advice, a solicitor, rape crisis etc for impartial advice. Do not communicate with him further apart from about the kids or any belongings he want left outside the house for him or his parents to collect (do not let him in if possible). He can see the kids elsewhere if they want to, he chose to leave so he can't have it both ways.

You can do this! Get advice and take it one step at a time.

dottiedodah · 06/01/2022 08:21

FrolickingFannyBoots .He sounds absolutely horrible OP.You will be well rid .Please report the rape to the police .He is like so many middle aged men ,thinks hes 20 again! Wants to rewrite history .The children do not have to see him if they dont want to .Also legal advice as well .Many Solicitors will wait until the divorce has gone through for their fees .

LoveGoldberg · 06/01/2022 08:25

Report everything he has done and then file for divorce. I’m sure you get legal aid if there is a record of abuse. You need to cut your ties with this man as soon as you can so that you can move on with your life, while you are still married he still has a hold over you and he will continue to make your life hell. Get everything agreed officially so that he has no power over you.

Mummyratbag · 06/01/2022 08:29

Please read back your initial post and imagine it was someone else writing it. This man is an abusive arsehole. Please find a way to draw a line and do not engage with his narrative on your marriage.

He is a cheat, a rapist, verbally and physically abusive. He has got you into enormous debt.

Not every solicitor will give you 30 mins free, but CAB can give you the names of those who will. Ask them for an appointment and to let you know when the half hour is up so they can't charge you if you run over.

Totally agree with everyone saying insist on email contact only. Keep all emails and tell him that he needs to stick to practicalities only.

He does NOT get to decide everything. You can divorce him for unreasonable behaviour and it doesn't have to be anything half as bad as what he has done to you.

You can do this. Flowers

Bellringer · 06/01/2022 08:33

You need legal advice, take him to the cleaners for your kids. Also rape crisis or women's aid may advise/help. Be strong you will come out of this better and well. he is a dog and his parents no better. Good luck

moremoony · 06/01/2022 08:34

OP. Just stop. There is a huge amount in your post. I haven’t read it all because I only needed to read the first few paragraphs. This is beyond saving. It’s now over and you need to stop, sit and take a breath. This man has dominated you for 20 years. You are still young. Why are you letting him tell you what to do? Why haven’t you seen a solicitor? That’s the first thing to do. Book today. Google “divorce solicitor abuse” plus the name of your town. Email half a dozen. Go see a few and find the one you click with. Do this today. You need to file a deed of separation immediately. Today. Get this done. Get him served papers now. Take back your power. You are married. Half of everything is yours. All of it. Money, house, pension. Maybe even more. You have POWER. Get this divorce underway. Change your phone. New number. Do not respond to anything. Your kids aren’t toddlers which is brilliant. There’s no custody to fight over. You are done with him. See the solicitor, start going to yoga/the gym/walking group….time to build up your life and your interests. You can do this. Message me anytime. This is the start of your new life. Do not respond to anything he writes. Get the locks changed on your house today. All of them. Do not answer the door at the weekend. If he wants access after his behaviour he can pay to see a solicitor. He’s going to have a big shock. He is now not in control of you. You now divorce him for adultery. Now. Today. Do it. Fuck him and the horse him and his whore rode in on. She’s now landed with a 50 year old prick. Good luck to her. You now no longer have to wash his shitty underpants. Freedom.

moremoony · 06/01/2022 08:35

Get your solicitor sorted then write him a one line message “I will no longer be responding to any messages from you. I am divorcing you for adultery. Any further communication will be through my solicitor. Here are his details” then mean it. You will have a better life

lisaandalan · 06/01/2022 08:36

Do not let him call he shots and don't let him come home for weekends, change the locks and when he says he is coming for his stuff leave it on the doorstep. Block him on your phone and only communicate by email that way you won't have to deal with him constantly. Only answer emails about things you need to and don't answer any about his rambling. Get legal advice and if they say you can file for divorce first and it won't cost you a lot them do so.
Don't have this man back this other woman has done you a favour you can at least be happy with your children.
Be very strong for yourself and your children take this as a way to start a new happy life, with you calling the shots.
But you must get legal advice and let things be on your terms from now on,be strong x

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