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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

No smoking gun just gut

31 replies

Captaincalling · 04/06/2022 10:09

Separated from DH after long marriage nearly 2 years ago; was the right thing for number of reasons. Relatively quickly met DP through a shared hobby, was really not looking for a relationship but kind and fun and supportive, was loving and listened and really filled a gap that had been in my life for a long time.
I’ve now got to a point where a gut feel that I’ve had in our relationship is so loud.
I have dismissed it for a long time or maybe chosen not to act on it because the positive sides of our relationship have been so strong plus I don’t really know how to bring it up - I really do struggle with communicating and expressing my feelings and was a major factor in contributing to end of my marriage.
Anyway, my gut feel is that DP has some kind of double life and potentially into men in a sexual but not relationship way.
We speak regularly most evenings on videocall but there have been several times where he has gone completely off grid, blamed problems with phone the morning after but they have both been after doing same hobby with another (gay) man. He’s often on whatsapp in the middle of the night and sometimes online in the loo when I’m staying over. He’s bought condoms for us but when we’ve needed to use them, they’ve gone missing, he can’t find them and the lube bottle had disappeared.
More recently that means no sex - I found out at the end of last year that he had infected me with syphilis which I know is more prevalent in men than women, he’s never really wanted to discuss and I’ve been absolutely gutted that this has happened to me.
Was a massive wake up call and naive on my part to not have protected sex, can only blame this on stupidity and not something considered for very long time as married so long. I found a cock ring in his bed once which he said he found in some old boxes from the past and made a big show of binning it. He’s had erectile problems on occasions and I had suspected porn use but I don’t know whether it’s because he’s not that into me (no pun intended), the sex has been good in the past but has not been very regular more recently. Would be so much more conclusive if I had a smoking gun and sounds so daft writing it down but really don’t know what to do.
I do love him and enjoy spending time together but I feel trust is the basis of any relationship and I’m all muddled up about whether I want to continue the relationship. I don’t even know where to start in voicing this out loud. THank you for listening.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 04/06/2022 10:12

You should have dumped him ages ago. Stop doubting your instincts.

MoreShit123 · 04/06/2022 10:14

Get fucking rid. Also book a HIV test.

ExtraOnion · 04/06/2022 10:16

You don’t need to concocte a reason to leave a relationship, you can just leave.

DaimDillyDoo · 04/06/2022 10:17

Wow. I genuinely don't think he could have anymore red flags. Why on earth are you hanging around?

He gave you an STD, with no real explanation, and you've stayed? Shock

fatherfintanstack · 04/06/2022 10:24

He gave you syphilis, condoms and lube are going missing. Doesn't really matter if you're right about it being men.

If it is, and he just wants sex with men but to maintain a love life with women then he will probably be quite skilled at covering the tracks of who he is meeting and when. Don't waste time trying to prove this to yourself further, I think you have enough to go on that something is amiss.

And yes, get a HIV test.

Captaincalling · 04/06/2022 10:31

Thank you, appreciate a response. and yes, have had an hiv test, all clear. I feel very stupid and naive. I’m a woman in her mid 40s who holds down a responsible job and a mortgage but clearly missing a grey cell or two in this department

OP posts:
PurpleFresias · 04/06/2022 10:34

OP, I came on after your first paragraph to say trust your gut as someone who ignored her gut. But by the time I'd read your full post, I'm just shouting "run!"

You've left a marriage, you have much less invested in this relationship. Please leave now and get STD tests

CPL593H · 04/06/2022 10:35

He gave you syphilis and doesn't really want to discuss it? Forget any possible interest in men, that would be enough by itself for most people.

You don't need a smoking gun BTW, what makes you think you owe him anything?

Butterfly44 · 04/06/2022 10:37

You have instincts for a reason. So many red flags, time to leave

Giveitall · 04/06/2022 10:39

Oh goodness. He gave you a venereal disease & you are still with him?
You need strangers to validate your next action?
Get out! Now!

Bunty55 · 04/06/2022 10:48

Yes.. get shut. It is dead in the water.

Captaincalling · 04/06/2022 10:51

After a long and tough at times marriage, I think i’ve been blinded by the positive aspects of this relationship and lost confidence in trusting my gut. The daft thing is if one of my friends or my daughters told me this then my answer would be run. Your wise counsel gives me kick i need, thank you.

OP posts:
Bunty55 · 04/06/2022 11:10

OP I think you are his 'beard'. He's into men but does not want the world to know so he has you. You are being used.

Overthewine · 04/06/2022 11:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

LadyLolaRuben · 04/06/2022 11:48

Bunty55 · 04/06/2022 11:10

OP I think you are his 'beard'. He's into men but does not want the world to know so he has you. You are being used.

This OP, he's using you as his cover. He gave you a STI and didn't care. Gently...he is showing you no respect or consideration. Get rid x

Ourlady · 04/06/2022 11:53

Awful truly awful man giving you Syphillis. He is not a nice person and whatever he has with you is all an act.

Pollydonia · 04/06/2022 11:59

I would be gone after being given the clap tbh.

ElenaSt · 04/06/2022 12:16

He likes been seen out with a woman but he also likes fucking men or they fucking him.

Leave and don't look back.

PonyPatter44 · 04/06/2022 12:30

Fwiw, I would consider syphilis a smoking gun!

billy1966 · 04/06/2022 14:45

Jesus OP, dump.

Syphilis?
Bloody hell.

Don't look back.

Fishandchipbutty · 04/06/2022 14:52

More red flags than a communist parade. End it and move on

Captaincalling · 04/06/2022 15:25

Thanks everyone, appreciate unified view and kindness

OP posts:
happinessischocolate · 04/06/2022 16:07

Good luck. Just remember you don't have to explain why. "I no longer want this relationship" is enough.

Zerrin13 · 05/06/2022 09:32

No one can tell you what you have to do.
If you want to continue trying to make a meaningful relationship out of this situation i fear you will be constantly disappointed. Despite all the other red flags, he gave you Syphilis! You seem to be just excepting this! What he has done is awful! He knowingly infected you and you have let this go and continued to see something good in this man. There isn't anything good enough about him that could cancel out what he has done. You are only ever going to be in turmoil if you carry on with this fiasco. You are even suspecting he is gay. What more shit do you need? It takes alot of strength to leave a long marriage but you did it. Why would you then except this horrific shithow?

ItWillBeOkHonestly · 05/06/2022 10:15

OP, I was in a long term relationship with a man just like this. I discovered about 18 months in that he was probably bi but I decided to stay because he felt he could be in a monogamous relationship. He also had this distinction between feeling sexual attraction toward men but only wanting to be in a romantic relationship with women. Or so he said.

I later discovered he was cheating on me all the way through the relationship. It really messed with my head and although I grew a lot as a person through all the pain of it, I'd definitely not wish it on my worst enemy. Get out while you can.

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