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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

Debt, secret marriage and children, possible affair - 37 weeks pregnant and overwhelmed with husbands confession

408 replies

thisisme3322 · 20/09/2022 00:14

Hello everyone,
This is a bit of a long post so bare with me please as I really need some help.
Been with my husband for 6 years, only married for 8 months. I am 37 weeks pregnant with my first baby and what I thought was his 4th but turns out to be his 6th!
He had been acting suspicious for about 3 weeks, he was going out with his friends for a few weekends in a row and staying out last minute. He was being really distant from me and made some quite nasty comments about not being attracted to me anymore whilst I was pregnant. I have not even put on excessive weight and nothing about me has changed, I have remained pretty much size 8-10 with a bump.
Prior to this he had been loving to me, talking to my bump and sending me quite long loving text messages about how I am the best thing that ever happened to him and he is so excited to be a family.
Then all of a sudden a quick turn around.

He told me one weekend he was going golfing then returned with his golf clothes immaculate. He ended up staying out that night and not texting me until around 11pm to let me know he was staying at his friend's as he had drank too much. I was at the time just pleased he wasn't attempting to drive home whilst a bit tipsy so thought nothing of it.

But as he started to become more distant from me, not as loving and not as affectionate I became worried. He then told me he was meeting his friend again the following weekend and was staying out again. I have had Hyperemesis and had just come out of hospital 2 days before and I was hoping for a little TLC so I felt let down about him going out again.
He also made me drive myself into hospital (1 hour away) when they asked me to go in for fluids when ordinarily he would not do this! He often even insists on driving me to the shop let alone hospital! I felt so alone.

Anyway, as the week passed I just became increasingly worried about his behaviour and I know I shouldn't have but I checked his phone. I found a message from a women saying she couldn't wait to see him on Wednesday. He had told me he was going away for work on Wednesday, not staying overnight but just away for the day (he works from home). The chat was an end to end encrypted chat which I now believe means that only the two people on the chat can see and it stops it from popping up on your phone. All other messages had been deleted. Just this one message from her.
I confronted him about it and he then proceeded to tell me that, that was just his friend but whilst I mention it he was planning on leaving me after Christmas as he is so unhappy. He had been sending me loving messages and so loving towards me up until about 3 weeks before. I was ultimately left feeling confused.
He then told me he feels he can't ever talk to me and that I don't even know him. He then confessed that he has 2 other children that I don't know about (different Mum's) and that he had been married previously. When we met I already knew he had been married before and had 3 children but did not know about the 1st marriage until this point.
He does not see the first 2 children.
He then said to me that he didn't even think he wanted our baby and was just in denial. Bearing in mind he has a vasectomy reversal so we could have our baby so we were very actively planning this pregnancy.
When asked about the other women he insisted that it is just his friend who he has been back in touch with for 4 months and that she has basically been a shoulder for him to cry on. The end to end encryption was on the messages as her husband is funny with her talking to other men. He said he is devastated that I dont trust him. Am I stupid to give him the benefit of the doubt with this?

Anyway, I rang his Mum in shock as I wanted to know if she knew about the other 2 children and marriage. It turns out everyone knows other than me. I also spoke to her about him saying he was unhappy and me feeling so confused as I don't quite understand why. She said she knows him and knows he wouldn't have an affair and knows how much he loves me. She said she also had spoke with him when I was in hospital and he was really concerned about me (he did not show this to me).

When we first got together he told me his ex wife left him with a lot of debt. I worked a lot of overtime to help him pay it off and told him how much I hate debt. It was my aspiration to own a house so I wanted to help him repair his credit score which we successfully did. We got a mortgage around a year ago and went into the house debt free. Since then he has spent so much money and we are in a crazy amount of debt, maybe to the tune of 30k. If I try to talk to him about unnecessary purchases he feels I am controlling him. I have had to work all the way through my preganancy whilst sick to help pay the cards off. Again, because I hate debt I just want things paid off quickly. I am so tired and exhausted and he doesn't seem to mind me working overtime! Another reason I was upset about him going out 2 weekends in a row was because I had worked overtime shifts all month and sent him £550 extra to pay towards things for him to just go out drinking with friends. He said he needs to have his own life too and doesn't like to be challenged about money.

So, I am currently staying at my Mum's in her tiny single bed box room. I have no money as I have sent it all to him. My heart is completely broken at a time I should feel love and happiness expecting my first baby. I feel completely let down.
I have been back home to talk things through with him and he wants to try to make things work. He says he is depressed and going through some kind of crisis. He said he never told me about the other 2 children or marriage as he feels I deserve better.
When we met I was 25 and he was 36. I was completely single, no children and had just moved out of my Mum's house after completing my degree.

I feel I can't leave him with all this debt and just give up on us my marriage and being a family.

We have decided to sell our current house, downsize the mortgage and pay all the debts off. I have asked him not to create more debt after this as I can't do anymore overtime, I am exhausted.
I worked all the way through covid as a nurse on intensive care and saved up 25k for our house deposit, his Mum and Dad gave him 30k (some of which went to his debt).
So the plan is to try to make it work for a year in the new house, debt free and at least able to support me with the baby.
I have been at my Mum's most of the week and only going back to stay one night to talk things through. He looks like a shell of the man I knew, he is just so numb and doesn't have any feelings or feel joy or excitement. I feel he is depressed. I feel sorry for him. Am I stupid and naive to feel this?
He is not showing me any love or affection - he does not even put kisses on my texts. I am so so so so lonely and feel completely overwhelmed eith how much my life has changed in a fee weeks.
I worry that the other women is just his friend and I have jumped to conclusions. What if he is depressed and going through something, I should not leave him alone at this time.
I have told him that I will return at the weekend and said I am here for him if he needs me. Told him not to just sit around being sad.
Am I being a mug?
Sorry for the lengthy post and jumbled up wording of everything. It sort of reflects my mind at present. Not sure what I am looking for maybe I just needed to get that all off of my chest.

xxx

OP posts:
pinkbear95 · 20/09/2022 05:15

The chat was an end to end encrypted chat which I now believe means that only the two people on the chat can see and it stops it from popping up on your phone

Just wanted to say that every conversation has that ‘end to end encrypted’ thing at the top. I’ve attached a screenshot of it at the top of the chat even though I’ve never spoken to my friend on whatsapp (we speak on iMessage). It doesn’t stop notifications popping up on your phone or anything like that. It’s just Whatsapp telling you that no third party is reading your conversation.

That’s besides the point anyway but thought you might want to know. He sounds awful

Debt, secret marriage and children, possible affair - 37 weeks pregnant and overwhelmed with husbands confession
loislovesstewie · 20/09/2022 05:15

If you don't want a life of misery leave now. Divorce him, get some money for you and live a life without the anxiety of what he will do next. Otherwise, you are going to live a miserable life just worried about everything. You are young and could do much better, for yourself and by yourself.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 20/09/2022 05:20

Been with my husband for 6 years, only married for 8 months.
Are you sure you are even actually married? You need to see a solicitor and make sure all his previous marriages were ended legally. If he could live with you for six years and lie to you about previous wives and extra children, he is a con artist!
And yes, you are a mug!
You have a fantasy of paying off the debts and settling down in an affordable rose-covered cottage playing happy families with your baby. It is not reality. You will be working extra shifts to pay his old debts while he racks up new ones. He may be fathering a few more children too.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 20/09/2022 05:21

Please leave.

This isn't the behaviour of a depressed man, it's the behaviour of a cornered rat. You need some distance to see this man for who he is. Never has love been so blind. He will only bring you and your child trouble and heartache. You have your whole life ahead of you, the chance to live the life with someone deserving of you. Don't stay in the pit that he has dug.

BritInAus · 20/09/2022 05:22

Please listen to every single message on here, OP.

Firstly, I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
Secondly, it's not just a friend.
Third, please don't assume you can trust his mum/family anymore.

Please put all your energy into securing yourself and your future for you and your baby. Yes it's sad a marriage fails. Much sadder to stay with a man like this. Nobody who's walked away from something they hoped would be forever found it easy or fun. It's shit and it will be shit for a while. But my god, the strength you will find, and the happier future you have ahead of you.

Bordesleyhills · 20/09/2022 05:25

5 children yours is the 6th and he’s not told you…. Agree is your marriage legal? Your the only one who doesn’t know? Go and go now. Don’t use the baby as an excuse or a way to patch. You’ve done nothing wrong - he’s at fault , if he can’t drive you anywhere when pregnant (34 weeks here) then what can he do?

WendyWagon · 20/09/2022 05:26

I am sorry OP. I have known someone who does this and they have never changed in the 30 years I have known them. Married 4 times, big dramas, huge debts left to each partner to clear up. Fancy hobbies (they can ill afford) that the spouse has no idea are being used to cover up the next infidelity. They latch on to a new partner, spend all their money and then this person is in some form of crisis. It is never their fault. It is the poor mug who has been hooked in by good looks and charm. It is a form of sociopathic behaviour. My acquaintance has children and they are both screwed up. Don't put your innocent baby through that. See a solicitor please and book the baby into the hospital crèche. You will need your job for your self respect and mental well being.

LoekMa · 20/09/2022 05:30

Ew. 6 kids? Financial issues?thats enough of an eternal turn off. Dont understand why you want to martyr yourself for this loser, but then again your lack of judgement has been ... remarkable.

Congrats on your baby babes

SummerWhisper · 20/09/2022 05:35

I had a friend who sounds very similar to you. We could all see that her partner was the biggest sponger going. His mum would constantly beg my friend to marry him. His mum was desperate for the low-life to be somebody else's responsibility. His mum wanted to make sure that her lazy, gambling son had a stake in my friend's house to give him financial security. Does this sound familiar?

You really, really need to stop trying to live your fantasy life and just put the child first. I think you need therapy to help you untangle yourself from him. Protect your child by ditching this lying, cheating, thieving scumbag. Stop putting his needs above your child's.

MMadness · 20/09/2022 05:44

Do not sink any more time and money into this deadbeat. You'll be back in the same position really soon, only this time with a child.

He's a liar, a cheat, has $$ issues and his whole family will lie to you for him.

Fuck that, you and your baby deserve better.

marblemad · 20/09/2022 05:46

Sounds like the sad sack that used to go out with my former partners mum. He had known my family for a long time and seemed totally ashamed when I recognized him at a family dinner, he too had 5 kids by so many women and was pushing ex mil to have another! He was dodgy as sin and would repeatedly try to feel me up, when we lived with a family member for 4 months he turned up a week after we moved out begging to move in with her calling her beautiful and my dad and his friends/cousins said how prolific he was at cheating and starting multiple families. Last we heard he had moved in with the poor woman's neighbour 3 doors down and is now married to an entirely different woman and expecting his sixth despite turning up once a month at my ex mil's and announcing his undying love for her. Goodness knows what he has told his new wife and what lies he has spouted.

sjxoxo · 20/09/2022 05:51

OverTheRubicon · 20/09/2022 00:24

Run, run for the hills. And really consider if you want him on the birth certificate.

This. The affair is the least worst part of this IMO. The lies and the lack of responsibility are irreversible… I really think you should never go back and consider if you want him on the birth certificate. The lies he has told you are huge. HUGE. Like unforgivable. Even if he’s had an affair for the last 2 years, the secret marriage and children are absolutely not forgivable that he hasn’t told you and acted reasonably…
please do not send him any more money. Not a penny.

Have you watched The Puppet Master on netflix??? It’s about a conman who ruined womens lives. He’s still out there and honestly I wondered if it was him in your post. Honestly OP this sounds like this story. Run from this man and do not go back. He will never change and lies on this scale will destroy your life xxxxxxx

ChaToilLeam · 20/09/2022 06:06

This man is a user and a shitbag. If you want your life back on track, you’re going to have to get tough.

Get a shit hot lawyer and get all the money and assets you can. Screw him and his debt, he can find some other mug to grift off.

Keep his name off the birth certificate.

Do NOT trust any of his friends or relatives. They do not have your best interests at heart.

I hope you’ll be able to make the best of this for yourself and your baby. That’s all that matters now.

Ydkiml · 20/09/2022 06:09

Hes done a good job on you I’m afraid. He’s picked a lovely, caring, loyal , loving, soft, naive, woman to be his lastest victim . He knows exactly how to manipulate to get what he needs . Of course he doesn’t want you to leave him , because this other woman doesn’t want him yet and he’s got debt that needs paying off . Think about it , if you leave now , you’ll get half of any equity in the house but if you stay , sell the house and pay off his debts ! Happy days to him . Then he can run up more debts to leave you and your baby in the gutter . His mam sounds like him . She knows exactly what he does and has no concerns for his victims. Shes probably as manipulative and selfish as him and he probably learnt it all from her , He’s getting you to feel sorry for him and it’s working. He’s cheated / cheating on you , do you and your baby not deserve better ? Leave now whilst your young enough . Or , you could stay and continue to be a mug !

Madamecastafiore · 20/09/2022 06:09

Ok, sorry I'm going to be blunt.

He's having an affair, they all blame depression.

He's spending your money and getting you into debt and you are allowing and encouraging this by keep on giving him more. It will never change.

He is putting going out before seeing his children, is that the father you want for your child.

Of course his mother wants you to stay together, he's your problem now, you're bailing his stupid life choices out, not her for a change.

His actions are not those of a loving husband and father, he will never be the man you want.

See a solicitor now and get the ball rolling before he saddles your with more debt which will see you missing out on precious time with your new baby.

Longdistance · 20/09/2022 06:11

That’s some lies to be told. He’s on his now 3rd marriage and 6th kid. Bloody hell! This should be ringing alarm bells for you. He’s bleeding you dry of money. Not sure why you left him with the money? You should be getting angry. There’s certainly lots to be angry about.

SortingItOut · 20/09/2022 06:12

Everyone has said everything I want to except if you considered why a 36 yr old man with 1 marriage and 5 kids and lots of debt wanted a 25yr old girlfriend rather than one his own age?

You're in your 30's now, do not get lumbered with him, he is going to be a hindrance to you for ever more.
Break free and live the best life you can with your baby.

Cancersurvivor · 20/09/2022 06:18

I have 3 sons and I would slap them if one of them did this to my daughter in law. His mother must be of the same mind set, saying to you “ poor you. “ think about it. We’re is her support for you in all of this, she should be absolutely furious and ashamed of her son, fathering 6 children to different woman, with not a care about any of them.

Sally2791 · 20/09/2022 06:18

How awful for you OP. But please realise that there is no chance of a happy future with this sponging, lying con man. That’s all he is, he can be “nice” for limited periods of time to extract what he wants from you.
Seek legal advice and protect your assets for yourself and your child.

Dsisproblem · 20/09/2022 06:20

So sorry OP this must be really hard for you. But lying about how many children he has? I couldn't forgive that. I don't understand why he would. I think you need to sell the house and go your separate ways.

Cancersurvivor · 20/09/2022 06:20

please do not ruin your life on this complete waster. Protect yourself and your baby. Don’t ever have to think in the furniture “ I was warned.

LoekMa · 20/09/2022 06:24

ChaToilLeam · 20/09/2022 06:06

This man is a user and a shitbag. If you want your life back on track, you’re going to have to get tough.

Get a shit hot lawyer and get all the money and assets you can. Screw him and his debt, he can find some other mug to grift off.

Keep his name off the birth certificate.

Do NOT trust any of his friends or relatives. They do not have your best interests at heart.

I hope you’ll be able to make the best of this for yourself and your baby. That’s all that matters now.

Get a shit hot lawyer and get all the money and assets you can. Screw him and his debt, he can find some other mug to grift off.

this actually made me chuckle. Youre mean 😂 what money??? He's basically trading sperm and kids for a warm bed in a woman's home.

What assets 🤣
**

bbcdefg · 20/09/2022 06:24

Oh sweetheart don't waste any more of your time on this man.

1AngelicFruitCake · 20/09/2022 06:30

‘He sees the 3 children…it’s just the 2 children he does not see’😮 Listen to yourself Op, you’re making excuses for him. What kind of person bus doesn’t see 2 children?

Hes treated you appallingly and you feel sorry for him? His Mum sounds awful! Presumably doesn’t care about those other 2 children either.

He’s treating you so badly yet you’re ready to forgive him and feel sorry for him. You need to get in control. You sound like a lovely person x

namechangedembarrassing · 20/09/2022 06:34

Please don’t go back. He is absolutely awful. You can’t see it as you are in it but I can tell you if you were on the outside looking in you would be saying the same.

also stop turning to his mum, her responses show she has facilitated his bad behaviour and will lie for him or always have an excuse for him.