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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

Do I send this message to OW ?

63 replies

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 13:29

Sorry this turned out very long, hopefully then it's not a drip feed.

First off, I don't believe she has any idea that she was the OW.

My partner and I split up in March of this year. We had been together for four years but in the last six months his behaviour was so hot and cold with me, which he blamed on the stress of his ongoing divorce, that I had to end it. I'm in France, the divorce laws are different and he's been trying to get a divorce for 5 years, but his ex won't agree to it.

By the time I ended it he had gaslit me so much I thought I was going mad, and had asked the doctor for anti anxiety medication. I honestly thought he was seeing someone else, but whenever I asked he said no, and then we had great days together until he repeated the behaviour. I have never been allowed on his social media, and he wasn't on mine either. It's only with the benefit of hindsight that I realise I was being gas lit. I honestly thought my own insecurities were driving me crazy.

At the beginning of March he went on a "work trip" for the weekend but I couldn't get over the feeling that he was with someone else. I read the relationship boards so I know once the trust is gone end the relationship. So I did when he came back.

Since then I can honestly say I've had an amazing year and I've been very happy, no anxiety, no sleepless night, no migraines. However, every 10/15 days he has sent me a message. It could be how much he misses me, it could be how he still loves me or it could just be something chatty. I have responded but never pursued the conversation.

In June he asked to meet and actually I really wanted to know why he had treated me badly, but we just skirted around the issue. We had a nice drink and chat together, we have always got on well together and I do miss my friend. Afterwards, he sent me a message saying how beautiful I'd looked and how great it had been. I've now seen on his Instagram it was 3 days after he had had a really nice date on a boat with his GF.

At the beginning of September I was on Instagram and he came up as someone I might be interested in. Of course I snooped I'd never been allowed near his Facebook. There wasn't much on there, mainly all pictures of scenery. But I noticed one from December last year of a shopping trip in a nearby city. We didn't do that together. There was a comment on there from a woman saying what a great day they'd had. So I got snooping on his Insta and her FB and actually cross referenced a number of dates together. I did send him a message and asked if he had been seeing anyone at the same time as me, and he said no. I've been busy with work until this week, so on a lonely evening I cross checked his instagram, her FB and the texts he sent me saying why we couldn't be together that day, I did a real deep dive, and all the time I was doing this I was telling myself I was going to be hurt. The place that he had gone to for the work weekend just happens to be the town she originates from and her family are. Could be a coincidence, but I don't think so.

I bumped into him yesterday in town and he asked me if I wanted a coffee. I asked him to his face if he had begun seeing someone when we were still together and if he was seeing her now. I wasn't angry but because he'd gaslit me so much and I thought I was going crazy, I still need to know that it wasn't in my imagination. It was a pleasant conversation, but he said no, and maintained it was all the stress of his divorce. He said again, that he still loved me, regretted that we'd split up but understood my feelings. Even though I'd seen information with my own eyes, I started to believe that I'd got it wrong again. (Because I'm an idiot and he is a very, very good liar).

Then his telephone rang, I saw it was her surname on the screen, he ignored the call and just continued talking. Instead of taking it up with him then when I should have done, I said goodbye and left. As we left, he told me he would still send me messages, because he hoped one day we would find our way back together.

After a glass of wine last night, I sent him a message and asked who was C? That I'd seen they had shared dates while he and I were still together and why had he not been honest when I asked. He replied with an angry face emoticon Grin

Anyhow, on discussing with my friend she thinks I should send this woman a message and explain how we had been a couple when she got together with him and how even though we were no longer together he still messages me, not always declaring love, but marking his presence in my life. My friend asked me if the shoe was on the other foot would I want to know, and I know that I would. I think this woman has every right to continue her relationship with him if she wishes, but I do also think she needs to have all the information to hand before she does that. I've written her a message, I'd have to send it via Facebook so it's possible she won't even see it. It's not nasty at all, I don't want to hurt her. I've offered to give her copies of messages if she wishes to see them, I've given her my email if she wants to continue the conversation. I haven't sent the message yet.

Do I send the message?

OP posts:
ShandaLear · 29/10/2022 13:35

Yes. Never hide bad behaviour under a bushel. Shine a light on it. In her shoes I would definitely want to know.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/10/2022 13:39

What do you want to achieve? I mean, there's every chance she knew she was the OW and didn't care. And you've split, so he's presumably not part of your life apart from drinks and a post mortem of the relationship. Why are you so invested in this woman knowing that she was an OW and that you still get declarations of love from him?

Going to be honest here. You sound a) like you're not over this man yet and b) like you're marking your territory with your 'just so you know' message.

Shallysally · 29/10/2022 13:43

Yes, he behaved badly with her too, presumably she did not know about you when you two were still together.

PAFMO · 29/10/2022 13:45

You say you've had a great year since you split up.
Your actions, and stalking of both him and his new partner suggest you're still unhealthily obsessed.
Block him on SM. Block him on your phone, and get on with your life.

Shallysally · 29/10/2022 13:45

But also, please block his number and stop looking at his insta etc.
It’s not healthy. He is keeping you as a back up, don’t allow for him to do that whether you would go back or not.

You say that you miss your friend. He isn’t your friend, he treated you very badly. Do better for yourself.

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 13:47

Well that's the thing isn't it? If she knew she was the OW it doesn't matter if I send her a message does it, because she knows it all already. But if you were with someone and they had begun the relationship in deceit and in fact he was perpetuating that deceit wouldn't you want to know?

I promise I don't want him back. It was me who ended it, God knows how long he would have gone along with us both.

OP posts:
tickticksnooze · 29/10/2022 13:47

No.

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 13:48

@Shallysally it's all blocked now. I've learned my lesson.

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 29/10/2022 13:49

But if you were with someone and they had begun the relationship in deceit and in fact he was perpetuating that deceit wouldn't you want to know?

Probably, because if someone lies about that they'll lie about other things and I can't be doing with that. But what do you want her to do with that information? she might be bothered, she might not, and you've no way of knowing and no control over her reaction. So what do you want to achieve here?

Nightynightnight · 29/10/2022 13:53

Just block this man and walk away. There is nothing you can do or find out or tell anyone that will make you feel any better about yourself. But if you pick your self-esteem up off the floor and stop pretending he is your friend you might just start to believe that you are worth more than scraps of attention from a lying dick. Let him carry on fucking up his life and don't give him another thought.

Colette · 29/10/2022 13:55

Move on , he will always lie . He doesn’t deserve any more of your headspace !

Fairylightsongs · 29/10/2022 13:56

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 13:47

Well that's the thing isn't it? If she knew she was the OW it doesn't matter if I send her a message does it, because she knows it all already. But if you were with someone and they had begun the relationship in deceit and in fact he was perpetuating that deceit wouldn't you want to know?

I promise I don't want him back. It was me who ended it, God knows how long he would have gone along with us both.

You don’t know what he was telling her though. He wasn’t exactly present in the relationship at the end.

look you really need to try to focus on getting over him. It’s been seven months and you’re still so obsessed with him that you’re sitting stalking his social media.

let it go op. For your sake

Unseelie · 29/10/2022 13:58

Yes

SuperCamp · 29/10/2022 14:00

Your issue is with him.

Just tell him that you now know for a fact that he was lying to you and gas lighting you, and you now know that he is seeing his Gf while presumably not telling her he is messaging you. That he is treating her as badly as he treated you. And there is no chance you would consider a relationship with him.

Then FGS block him and stop meeting up and looking at his SM.

Do you want the OW to start stalking you? To see if he is still in contact etc?

Give him a good ‘fuck you!’ goodbye and then look forwards and get in with your life.

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 14:04

Ok, i hear you Grin.

Honestly I'm not obsessed with him. I didn't even know he had instagram until the other week and I've only looked at it a couple of times.

He is blocked, telephone number deleted. I cannot see his social media or speak to him.

I absolutely do not want to hurt her.

OP posts:
ZandathePanda · 29/10/2022 14:35

Yes then block. He will repeat the behaviour. And you gained strength from MN boards and ‘seeing the light’. You are not hurting her, you are giving her information. Give her a sunbeam.

SpookabooAtTheZoo · 29/10/2022 14:40
  1. Block him
  2. Get boundaries
  3. You were the OW when he was married and you still are now he's seeing someone else. This has no future. He's full of shit.
  4. Leave her alone
Teeturtle · 29/10/2022 15:21

You split up in March you need to move on. And no don’t send the message, I would not want to hear from you if I was here.

Teeturtle · 29/10/2022 15:21

*her

OutlandishBird · 29/10/2022 16:02

How do you know they were dating and it's not a friend or a family member?
Sorry if I missed that info.

Aquamarine1029 · 29/10/2022 16:11

Of course you don't message her. It's utterly ridiculous that you didn't block him months ago. You must love drama and bullshit.

Crimsoncupcakes · 29/10/2022 16:19

No, you do seem very invested in your ex.It appears that you like hearing from him, and you like hearing how much he loves you. He was cheating on you, he obviously doesn’t love you enough to be faithful.
Be grateful he’s no longer a part of your life, wasting your time. If you tell the new GF, she’s unlikely to thank you for it anyway .

Bobbins36 · 29/10/2022 16:27

Leave it and move on, not worth the energy .

BlueBar · 29/10/2022 16:37

If you genuinely just want her to know, send the message then block them both .

Stop with the friendly chats with a man who was/is so awful to you. Why would you want that?

If you want a response from the woman or him, you're not doing it for her benefit.

BlueBar · 29/10/2022 16:38

Is there a possibility this OW is his wife?