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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

Texts with a man I had a fling with years ago

19 replies

Easterbunnywunny32 · 25/04/2022 14:14

Hi there, I had an affair 20 years ago. I was in a relationship with my husband but we weren’t married at this point, it was quite early in our relationship. The OM was single and we worked together for four months. We always got along really well. I thought a lot of him, after he left we slept together about three times. It ended, he told me he’d met a girl and we literally never spoke or saw each other again despite living in a small town. But there was never any bad feeling between us. He is now married with children and no longer lives nearby. I’ve never cheated since.

Fast forward to four weeks ago, he got in touch. At first I was pleased to hear from him, but he started texting me a lot, daily and soon things got sexual again.

The other night I messaged him and told him that I didn’t want to text anymore, that it would just cause pain and hurt and that I hoped he understood. He’s read the message but not replied. Not even an ok. I know I’ve definitely done the right thing but now I’m left thinking there’s bad feeling between us whereas previously there had been none.
I feel so angry at myself for getting drawn into this with a man who clearly doesn’t care about me or he would have at least rounded things off with an understanding text. Or am I being unreasonable to expect this? I always thought he was a nice guy but now I’m not sure.

OP posts:
pog100 · 25/04/2022 14:27

Nice guys don't text sexual messages with exes when they are married with children. There's you answer and sever all links as completely as you can, now

Chica10 · 25/04/2022 14:28

He shouldn’t have contacted you. There could not have been any good intention in that. It’s good you made it clear to him that his contact is unwanted. It doesn’t matter if he responds or not. I would now delete and block and move on with your life.

Easterbunnywunny32 · 25/04/2022 15:20

He was always very nice, but younger than me. I guess people change. You’re right though I need to block and move on.
Why did I let myself get drawn in! Oh well.

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 25/04/2022 17:25

You’ve done the right thing. He was trying to pick you up again, didn’t want to be friends.. Didn’t treat you with respect. Bin, block, move on!

Easterbunnywunny32 · 25/04/2022 17:50

Why are men so weird. It was 20 years ago. He seems to have a gorgeous wife and child. I suppose they like the attention. To be honest so did I a little, at first.
Best not to think of the whys!

OP posts:
emmakenny · 25/04/2022 19:16

Your poor husband.

Roundthetwistyroad · 25/04/2022 19:31

I think you are annoyed he did not respond because you wanted him to chase you and to be really interested so that it would be you who was calling the shots. By not replying he is conveying that he is not that bothered and I think it is that that is getting to you rather than him not being a nice guy. I am not being critical, I would be exactly the same. When someone responds with silence they always have the upper hand and that can be really bugging. Try not to wait around to see if he does eventually get in touch (he probably will at some point). Take the control back and block.

AProperStinging · 25/04/2022 19:33

Because you are desperate for flattery and attention, and don't value fidelity or honesty.

Adhdnewmedsnewproblems · 25/04/2022 19:34

Lol no I don't think you're reasonable to expect a friendly conclusive msg from this man you've been sexting. Just leave it.

Melkam · 25/04/2022 20:26

Chica10 · 25/04/2022 14:28

He shouldn’t have contacted you. There could not have been any good intention in that. It’s good you made it clear to him that his contact is unwanted. It doesn’t matter if he responds or not. I would now delete and block and move on with your life.

and his text shouldnt have been replied to.......takes 2 to tango.

StoneRoses22 · 26/04/2022 10:00

This man knew you were in a relationship when he was involved & having sex with you 20 yes ago, right?

So, sorry to be blunt, but he (with solid evidence, the solidest) thinks you're OK with cheating.

You may not have married but you were in a steady, "exclusive" relationship...and cheated. And went ahead and married the guy presumably without ever confessing you cheated.

So he thinks you're up for cheating, and he looked you up & contacted you when he fancied cheating (since you were OK with cheating on your partner, not a massive leap.for a man to assume you're OK with cheating in general/both ways).

It's pretty simple.

You come across as having zero self awareness, zero awareness of how your actions might come across to anyone; but especially to men, who often tend to be less emotional and more "pragmatic" on average.

He thinks you're up for cheating, he thought that was being confirmed when you entertained his contact (esp when it got more inappropriate), he's gone "oh ffs, what a waste of time, what a non starter, fk this" when you bailed on what he thought was soon going to turn into the extra marital sex he wanted.

He's not a nice person.

He wasnt a nice person back then when he (presumably) knowingly cheated with an attached woman..... he's not you've mate, he never was.

As to his reasons for trying to cheat on his beautiful wife and mother of his child ... common enough unfortunately, doubt they're anything original.

StoneRoses22 · 26/04/2022 13:13

This man knew you were in a relationship when he was involved & having sex with you 20 yrs ago, right?

So, sorry to be blunt, but he (with solid evidence, the solidest) thinks you're OK with cheating.

You may not have been married but you were in a steady, "exclusive" relationship...and cheated. And went ahead and married the guy presumably without ever confessing you cheated.

So he thinks you're up for cheating, and he looked you up & contacted you when he fancied cheating (since you were OK with cheating on your partner …. not a massive leap for a man to assume you're OK with cheating in general/both ways).

It's pretty simple.

You come across as having zero self awareness, zero awareness of how your actions might come across to anyone; but especially to men, who often tend to be less emotional and more "pragmatic" on average.

He thinks you're up for cheating, he thought that was being confirmed when you entertained his contact (esp when it got more inappropriate).
He's now gone "oh ffs, what a waste of time, what a non starter, fk this" when you bailed on what he thought was going to turn into the extra marital sex he wanted.

He's not a nice person.

He wasnt a nice person back then when he (presumably) knowingly cheated with an attached woman..... he's not your mate, he never was.

(As to his reasons for trying to cheat on his beautiful wife and mother of his child ... common enough unfortunately, doubt they're anything original)

Anyway, you're all "what's wrong with men?" .. equally what was wrong with you, that you felt the need to cheat on the man whom you later saw fit to marry, presumably while forgetting to tell him about it (?)
It's pretty ironic).

RantyAunty · 26/04/2022 13:33

You said it was early in the relationship with your now DH. It probably wasn't cheating as you were just dating.
The only time men from the past contact a woman is to try to get some sex.
He wasn't really nice back then either. He was opportunistic and pleasant because he got what he wanted.
I know some will disagree but there is no such thing as a male friend.

Locomelon · 26/04/2022 13:48

I should imagine he's sulking because he wanted to have sex with you behind both your partners backs, and you quite rightly have out a stop to it.

I doubt there's bad feeling. He'll probably try again when he's bored/lonely/horny.

In the meantime, consider this a bullet dodged. If your husband had seen the messages, you could have lost an awful lot. You were lucky. Don't take the risk again.

someadvice20 · 26/04/2022 13:51

He's unfaithful to his partner. Your unfaithful to your husband, they both deserve better 👍

Roadblock6 · 26/04/2022 14:00

He knows you cheat - its as simple as that. You were an easy target.

please do something about your marriage.

StoneRoses22 · 26/04/2022 14:12

You said it was early in the relationship with your now DH. It probably wasn't cheating as you were just dating.

If they understood themselves to be in an exclusive relationship, it was cheating.

Easterbunnywunny32 · 26/04/2022 14:39

Thanks for the advice everyone.
It was early days in our relationship but yes, it was cheating. I haven’t ever cheated before or since. Until now I suppose. He probably thought I’d be “up for it” again.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was sexting but yes, it was suggestive.
I definitely think I need to work on my marriage. I don’t think I’m happy and I am probably lonely too, which is why I was so flattered by the attention. I think this has been a wake up call to address the issues in my marriage and also the way I behave as well. I will try and be more self aware from now on.
I have blocked his number now and he lives abroad so won’t ever bump into him.
thanks again.

OP posts:
emmakenny · 05/05/2022 08:38

Tell your husband and let him decide if you're cheating or not. You won't though, will you? You know you're wrong.

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