Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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 Is He Up To?

238 replies

CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 00:21

Now please don't tell me or my friend we should just ignore this. I think thats something that suits the patriarchy very well but we are both a bit concerned about this although obviously theres nothing we can do. The guy is up to something.

I was dumped by my boyfriend of 2 years a while back very abruptly. I literally saw him at the weekend, everything was great, we parted on great terms a few days later he phoned me to say it was over because he had someone new. He refused to talk about it or meet up, and I have never seen him since.

He has continued to send me the odd text message though, despite his vows that we are to have no contact. Most recently on Friday he sent me one saying he "felt bad" about the way it had ended and suggesting meeting up.

Now, I'd turned into a bit of a private detective after him ending it and had discovered that he got married in September. I found this out because I got in touch with a friend who I'd lost contact with, and it turned out that he had slept with her too, when we were previously together for a few months and he had dumped me before (confusing, I know). She had felt guilty so had stopped being in contact with me.

She suspected from something on FB that he had got married and found out the name of his wife, which was a very unusual one. I checked the public register of marriages, and discovered that he had got married last September, 9 months after dumping me! Basically, my ex had told me such a convoluted set of lies that he pretended to be an entirely different person from who he actually was. I thought he was shy and liked to spend a lot of time on his own and valued his independence. Turns out not.

We also found out some details about his new wife. She is 18 years older than him - he is 41 and she is 59, and she isn't in the best physical condition. She's a little old lady. He is a particularly good looking, young looking 41 too, and my friend showed me some photos from Facebook and it was pretty shocking to see them together as they looked more like grandmother and grandson. She isn't a young looking 59. She's divorced and has been for about the last 20 years and we don't know if she has children, but if she does, since we are in Scotland, if she dies, most of any property she owns would go to him despite what any will said as a wife has legal rights.

So back to the text message. I let him dig his own grave by sending a reply saying yes, it was a shame how it ended, and he then suggested coming round to mine. At which point I told him I knew he had got married in September and to get lost, and blocked him. Looking back, he had also sent me a text just a month or so before he must have got married, and I also told him to get lost then too as by that point I had finally woken up to the fact that although I didn't fully understand what had happened, he was trouble.

He told me so many lies and was completely convincing, from saying we were exclusive and he wouldn't dream of cheating or even looking at another woman, how he preferred me being a bit younger than him and having similar backgrounds and interests in sport (thats how we met) (his wife is from a third world country where women don't have many prospects other than marrying rich western men, and doesn't seem to work or have any social media presence), how he liked how independent I was and how I worked hard and had my own place, and even how in his business he would never meet anyone else as they were "all old ladies" (at this point he made a face of disgust).

The guy is up to something. He is a manipulative liar and very, vey convincing, and if it weren't for my friend telling me, I would have assumed he was single and maybe let him come round to clear the air. He was obviously even trying to cheat on her at the time the marriage license was applied for. I wouldn't even have got together with him again if I'd known he had slept with her when we were together. Worse still, I thought he enjoyed dumping me and my upset at it being so abrupt, and my friend said she had exactly the same feeling.

I know it all sounds really odd, but its really a strange thing to have happen to you. I'm concerned that this 59 year old woman, who while she might be a lovely person, wouldn't have that many romantic options in life and certainly not with a handsome 41 year old. My friend thinks she has met her and says she doesn't speak that great English. At best, he wants her to cook and look after him but I just can't get my head around it. I have no intention of getting in touch with her or anything as I know I wouldn't be believed and would be shot as the messenger but he's likely messaging other women too. I'm worried it might be whats called a predatory marriage.

OP posts:
CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 15:28

@CousinKrispy

But I think people are perplexed about why you've even posted about it here? You've now blocked him, and apparently you're not contemplating contacting his wife to "warn" her. Complaining about an ex to a friend is something all of us have done, but what is it you're actually looking for here?
CousinKrispy I think I'm a bit too on the look out for red flags at the moment. Or perhaps I could put it that I'm a bit too aware of them. I'm really really spooked by his behaviour and I realise now that he gradually eroded my boundaries over the course of the relationship, and now they've come back with a bang. I think I'm expecting other people to be aware of all of this when of course they haven't been exposed to it at all.

There are loads of predatory men about, but it never really gets highlighted, does it? The women are always blamed for being stupid or niaive. So I think you're right, its probably not possible to discuss any concerns I have. I really do think this woman is quite vulnerable and isolated. And who looks out for people in society if society doesn't look out for them?

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 15:40

@CognitiveDissolver - like I mentioned before - if you're that concerned about this woman then:-

  • there will be groups for her country (wherever it is, Ghana, Malawi, Philippines, the moon etc) for her to socialise, maybe church/religious places - make them aware that she could be being financially abused. They may choose to let her know, they may not.

  • she probably has family and friends either back in her home country or over in UK who will be watching out for her, or not.

  • find out their address via 192.com and post her a letter anonymously.

But there is not a lot you can do otherwise!

RealBecca · 07/03/2022 15:48

There are loads of predatory men about, but it never really gets highlighted, does it?

Yes. And it does. Have you never read Chat magazine? She could be predating on him for sex and youth and a carer and donate all her money to the cats home. I'm still not sure why it's your business.

And who looks out for people in society if society doesn't look out for them?

The answer is never "his ex".

CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 16:00

[quote Gonnagetgoing]@CognitiveDissolver - like I mentioned before - if you're that concerned about this woman then:-

  • there will be groups for her country (wherever it is, Ghana, Malawi, Philippines, the moon etc) for her to socialise, maybe church/religious places - make them aware that she could be being financially abused. They may choose to let her know, they may not.

  • she probably has family and friends either back in her home country or over in UK who will be watching out for her, or not.

  • find out their address via 192.com and post her a letter anonymously.

But there is not a lot you can do otherwise![/quote]
Gonnagetgoing Thank you for this. I'll talk to my friend about it because she is more in the fringes of the activity they all do than me. She also lives closer by.

OP posts:
CousinKrispy · 07/03/2022 16:04

Yeah I think it's unfortunate that many people do still "blame the victim" in these scenarios. I will say MN is one of the places that is best for putting blame for abuse exactly where it lies--with the abuser. But of course as the target of abuse, you also have to look at your own behaviour, and what led you to get into a problematic relationship in the first place. Otherwise you'll just walk into the same thing all over again. I speak from personal experience here.

Unfortunately I still don't think in this scenario you have anything that this woman necessarily needs to be informed of. Did he cheat on you with her, or with someone else?

Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 16:08

@CognitiveDissolver - from experience (not had that much but...) yes definitely let your friend get involved if she wants to help you out but then if your friend updates you with info re this woman (the DW) then you have to make a decision as to how much you want/need to be involved. You could find yourself getting way involved over your head and then your ex partner hassling you and maybe being unpleasant. That really is not worth it.

The DW may decide to want to have contact with you - bad move. She may decide to pour out her heart to you as you're connected - see my friend whose ex and the new GF rang her and tried to speak to her, at first this was to intimidate her but then the GF wanted advice and sympathy. Like I said it ended up with her ex driving past her flat, potentially trying to intimidate her, even on her doorstep with a hoodie on to disguise him (she saw him from her flat window). Luckily my friend now has a new partner who's moved in with her but who knows what people can do?

You then really need to draw a line in the sand under this.

Yes he was a nasty piece of work but just leave it there. Good luck.

Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 16:12

@CousinKrispy

Yeah I think it's unfortunate that many people do still "blame the victim" in these scenarios. I will say MN is one of the places that is best for putting blame for abuse exactly where it lies--with the abuser. But of course as the target of abuse, you also have to look at your own behaviour, and what led you to get into a problematic relationship in the first place. Otherwise you'll just walk into the same thing all over again. I speak from personal experience here.

Unfortunately I still don't think in this scenario you have anything that this woman necessarily needs to be informed of. Did he cheat on you with her, or with someone else?

@CousinKrispy - I've been in a relationship with a narcissist and so has a friend who I posted about here.

Trust me - neither of us have problems nor could see the patterns with them. Well me, I suppose I could've seen it but chose to ignore it. Years ago I was also close friends (and then dated very briefly) a narcissist - but I had no idea about these types back then. I should've ditched him as a friend (friends for 7 years) years before but we had good times as friends and got on very well. These types blind you to their behaviour so you're sucked in.

My friend had known this man for years as a close platonic male friend who knew her family well. She had no idea has was a narcissistic idiot.

CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 16:23

@CousinKrispy

Yeah I think it's unfortunate that many people do still "blame the victim" in these scenarios. I will say MN is one of the places that is best for putting blame for abuse exactly where it lies--with the abuser. But of course as the target of abuse, you also have to look at your own behaviour, and what led you to get into a problematic relationship in the first place. Otherwise you'll just walk into the same thing all over again. I speak from personal experience here.

Unfortunately I still don't think in this scenario you have anything that this woman necessarily needs to be informed of. Did he cheat on you with her, or with someone else?

Well, if I answer that on here I'll be accused of being too involved and not being over him, etc, etc.. But yes and yes. Lets just leave it at that.
OP posts:
CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 16:29

Gonnagetgoing My friend had known this man for years as a close platonic male friend who knew her family well. She had no idea has was a narcissistic idiot.

Thats what happened to me! Its very difficult when people have only seen a snapshot of him in his perfect, sensitive slightly nerdish role and so you have doubts about his behaviour but are unable to discuss them with the people who might talk some sense into you.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 07/03/2022 16:30

why would you even bother reading a message from this human?

block and move on

Really18 · 07/03/2022 16:32

You have been very derogatory about his new wife. Are you putting her down to make yourself feel better?

NETSRIK · 07/03/2022 16:37

Just mind your own business and move on. Jesus, you sound way too invested in a man who dumped you.

CousinKrispy · 07/03/2022 16:37

@Gonnagetgoing I can easily believe that for some people there are no patterns or red flags to detect, I'm just talking about my own experience of ignoring some massive red flags from my ex because of my own issues, and needing to deal with those issues to have the confidence to leave and to avoid the same in the future. I've found it really crucial to do that.....but at the same time it is SO important to avoid that victim-blaming narrative that puts the responsibility on the wrong party. It's therefore really difficult to articulate!

peachy3 · 07/03/2022 16:41

OP what do you honestly want from this thread? You’re really on the attack at peoples opinions of this bring a bit strange of you and your friend. People are suggesting you leave it alone and quite clearly you’re not prepared to do that so what are you looking for? Encouragement?

Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 17:05

@CognitiveDissolver

Gonnagetgoing My friend had known this man for years as a close platonic male friend who knew her family well. She had no idea has was a narcissistic idiot.

Thats what happened to me! Its very difficult when people have only seen a snapshot of him in his perfect, sensitive slightly nerdish role and so you have doubts about his behaviour but are unable to discuss them with the people who might talk some sense into you.

@CognitiveDissolver - ah well now you say that then this makes much more sense.

My friend sadly found out he was having an affair (whilst semi living with her) with someone else and then the girlfriend found about my friend and got mad. My friend dumped him and threw him out immediately after she found out about the affair but her ego and trust was very bruised by this man. This man wasn't perfect, sensitive etc but was a nice man apparently, nice enough to be her platonic friend and a confidante over the years.

In the end though, as it got really sticky she just backed off completely. She even thought though wasn't 99.9% sure that he broke into her flat and stole her laptop.

Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 17:06

[quote CousinKrispy]@Gonnagetgoing I can easily believe that for some people there are no patterns or red flags to detect, I'm just talking about my own experience of ignoring some massive red flags from my ex because of my own issues, and needing to deal with those issues to have the confidence to leave and to avoid the same in the future. I've found it really crucial to do that.....but at the same time it is SO important to avoid that victim-blaming narrative that puts the responsibility on the wrong party. It's therefore really difficult to articulate![/quote]
@CousinKrispy - ah - ok. Well now I know the signs - well should do - had 2 narcissist idiots in my life but this sort of before people knew about narcissists - well the second one there was more awareness.

Gonnagetgoing · 07/03/2022 17:08

@peachy3

OP what do you honestly want from this thread? You’re really on the attack at peoples opinions of this bring a bit strange of you and your friend. People are suggesting you leave it alone and quite clearly you’re not prepared to do that so what are you looking for? Encouragement?
@peachy3 - having heard more of the OP's side of the story it appears like this man has done a real number on her.

He's got into her head, messed with her, classic narcissist/psychopath behaviour. So I'm not surprised really that she wants to warn this woman off.

CognitiveDissolver · 07/03/2022 17:11

gonnagetgoing Flowers

OP posts:
peachy3 · 07/03/2022 17:24

@Gonnagetgoing but what does she honestly want? She’s said in her original post that there’s nothing she can really do about it but is struggling to accept this fact at the same time when people are telling her to leave it alone. And I agree with previous posters that her description of the wife is really quite rude and catty of her, it almost comes off as OP seeing herself as a more compatible partner because she’s younger. I get the curiosity of it but it seems like it’s spiralling into a bit of an obsession, she knows far too much about the wife to the point that it is honestly a bit disturbing and really unnecessary.

beastlyslumber · 07/03/2022 17:36

You can't warn people off a narcissist. He will have got in there first and told her all about how evil and crazy you are. That'll be why she didn't speak to your friend.

All you can do is look at your own behaviour and get yourself well. It's not right to be stalking a woman like this. It's awful, really. I understand and know from experience how these abusive men can make you unhinged, but you have to get past it. Imagine how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of that kind of intrusive behaviour. Really scared, freaked out and humiliated, maybe?

There are so many resources online now to support victims of narcissistic abuse.

cherryonthecakes · 07/03/2022 17:40

People like the Tinder Swindler ladies presumably go public because they want to try and earn back some of the money that they were conned out of. It helps that they are pretty, successful and young rather than the older, lonely saddo that people assume the victims of romance scams are.

It doesn't matter what he's up to because you're not together. Trying to find out what he's up to is a waste of headspace. You know that he was in the wrong with regards to the break up and trying to get sex from you. You can't fix him and his wife is not going uk believe you - she will defend her new life at all costs.

The fact that you're snooping makes me wonder if you think you are to blame for him being a cheating dickhead? If so, you need to stop going there. He's a horrible man that you're well rid of. You can see his true colours now- send that man back to the past where he belongs and enjoy your present

SouthParkCovid · 07/03/2022 18:13

Op he's not that into you, clearly never was.

There's plenty more fish in the sea.

Forget about this one.

Dillydollydingdong · 07/03/2022 18:23

It would be funny if he'd married her thinking she had money, and he'd married her for the same reason. I think that's probably the case ! Grin

sweetbellyhigh · 07/03/2022 18:40

I think you're investing your energy in the wrong direction.

Who cares what he's doing?

Focus on what you can control which is your own behaviour. I guarantee that if you commit to this, you will look back and realise how messed up your OP is.
Nobody normal behaves the way you're behaving, it is obsessive and disturbing.

sweetbellyhigh · 07/03/2022 18:41

So much ageism and racism in your post too. You come across as exceptionally bitter.