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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:
ViolinPin · 29/10/2022 16:52

As far as this ow is concerned I would not bother contacting her.

Yes he behaved badly and overlapped you at the end but this woman may already know that.

What I would want to know is if in fact both of you are ow and his wife is still unaware.

He's not the one for you so let it go.

Comedycook · 29/10/2022 16:57

No... don't message her. Seriously, what are you hoping to achieve? My guess is deep down you would be doing it in the hope that she will dump him and he will come running back to you. That's what you're secretly hoping for isn't it?

Mari9999 · 29/10/2022 17:31

Be thankful that your relationship is over. Nothing good comes from involved yourself in someone else's relationship . You would either be bringing this woman news that she knows already or news that will create unhappiness and pain for her. Neither is a role that you should want.

Their relationship will run its course whatever that will be and you are not an avenging angel.

Be happy that your happiness is no longer tied to his behavior and move on to live your best life.

InsertSomethingInspiring · 29/10/2022 17:46

I would definitely want to know. You could be saving her from wasting years of her life and ending up heartbroken.

If she already knows or doesn't believe you then no harm done.

Definitely keep him blocked, forever.

InsertSomethingInspiring · 29/10/2022 17:51

Mari9999 · 29/10/2022 17:31

Be thankful that your relationship is over. Nothing good comes from involved yourself in someone else's relationship . You would either be bringing this woman news that she knows already or news that will create unhappiness and pain for her. Neither is a role that you should want.

Their relationship will run its course whatever that will be and you are not an avenging angel.

Be happy that your happiness is no longer tied to his behavior and move on to live your best life.

Do you not think it creates more pain to let her find out years from now that their relationship was based on a lie, though? The regret of wasted years? I just don't think the OP is doing this out of malice and I'd really want to know no matter how hurtful at the time.

pantherrose · 29/10/2022 18:09

OP I've been through this within the last 18 months. 11 years of hopes and dreams for our future wasted on an attractive and charming man who was utterly incapable of telling the truth and gaslit me in the same way. Same story, never stopped professing his love for me but was happy to see me depressed and anxious due to the gaslighting and his preference for being as obtuse as possible whenever I tried to talk to him calmly about why his behavior was setting off alarm bells. All I needed was to hear the truth, which my gut was telling me but my heart was denying. He didn't care for me enough to at least give me the respect and dignity of being able to make my own, informed decision, preferring instead to watch me go through a mental push me pull you trying to reconcile his words with his actions. It's highly manipulative and controlling and although the word 'Narcissist' is used very frequently these days, Ive been told that his behavior fitted the description very well. It's utterly exhausting, demoralizing and you will never get what you need from him, which in my case was simply closure. It's not easy when memories of moments of closeness and complicity flood back, but the advice to go completely NC with him is absolutely spot on and the only way to be rid of such a negative influence.
Coincidentally , I'm also in France Smile

CornishTiger · 29/10/2022 18:19

Block him.
Tell her kindly. She can choose to ignore if she wants but at least she knows and doesn’t waste her time like he’s wasted yours.

pantherrose · 29/10/2022 18:34

Sorry, forgot to answer the question.
No, I wouldn't contact OW. His affairs are no longer your problem and you could be opening a can of worms, as well as possibly being perceived as still invested in him. Sever the connection, NC and move on with dignity would be my advice.

IncessantNameChanger · 29/10/2022 18:45

Yes do it. Some did this for my friend but she was the unknowing OW. He had been saying utter BS about her to the OW that she was expecting him to do everything for her kids. He didn't even live with her so had zero responsibility for her kids.

My friend was grateful as the dick clearly didn't like her much and was a massive user. And a lier

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 18:45

Thanks everyone for your words (kind and harsh).

I'll try and deal with all points.

I absolutely do not want him back, it was hell, but I have always wanted to know why he has behaved like this. Is there something wrong with me? I don't like conflict and if we could have split amicably I would have preferred that. I'm more bothered by the constant lies than the cheating, I honestly thought I was losing my mind.

I was not the OW with his wife, they were legally separated and he was living alone when I met him. She doesn't agree with divorce, she is a very staunch Catholic. I've met her, we got on ok.

I am absolutely not acting out of malice, I honestly would have appreciated a message like that, I may not have listened to it, but at least I could make informed decisions.

I don't stalk him, I don't have the time. I snooped on an Instagram account and I saw something that rang alarm bells.

@pantherrose it's exactly how you described, you have nailed it.

I blocked him this morning so all good.

OP posts:
brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 18:47

*snooped on an Instagram once

OP posts:
Nightynightnight · 29/10/2022 19:52

but I have always wanted to know why he has behaved like this. Is there something wrong with me?

You will never know why he has behaved like this, and even if you were given reasons for his behaviour, those reasons would have no impact on the past or the pain you experienced. You know that there is nothing wrong with you and that his behaviour was nothing to do with you. People who lie and gaslight partners do it because they are narcissists who need to be in control. By controlling the information he gave you he was removing your ability to make any informed choices.

LaVieestBelleNestCePas · 29/10/2022 20:10

Here’s the thing… he likes ambiguity… with you.. with her… with everyone. It suits him. Reading your posts OP, it’s clear you care for him. And that suits him too. He says he loves you… but there is no commitment. I think men and women are wired differently. We, as women love.. and we do vote our minds, bodies and thoughts and hearts to that person. I think most men can be the same… but there is a part of that sex… the male sex.. who are confused, insecure, greedy, confused (I know I said that twice but hey it’s for a reason)… and there are some who just don’t give a shit. At this point it doesn’t really matter if your love falls into one or many categories… at the end of the day.. does it matter!?! He lies, you feel hurt… unsure of yourself … he doesn’t whoa you what you feel he should… does it matter to you? Of course it does! Ditch him. He’s not giving you the love and respect you richly deserve. Go find one who does. ♥️

Twinklenoseblows · 29/10/2022 20:50

Are you sure you weren't the OW?

LuckyLil · 29/10/2022 22:25

So you don't like conflict? What do you think is going to happen if you tell her and she ends it with him? Conflict that's what, the very thing you say you don't like. He's going to come looking for you to have it out with you because you messed things up and ruined his relationship. Be honest, you're not doing this because you care so much about her feelings that you can't bear to see her get hurt. You're doing it because you want to get even with him for seeing another woman and lying about it. Stop deluding yourself and pretending that you're doing it for some morally upstanding reason to protect her from behind hurt. You're not doing it because you want to save her feelings. You're doing it for the satisfying feeling you'll get by getting back at him for treating you so badly. Either be honest about your motives and suffer the fallout or have the dignity to walk away with your head held high and let him spend the rest of his life treating other people badly knowing that it won't be you he's doing it to.

ViolinPin · 30/10/2022 01:57

So he has been trying to get a divorce for 5 years, you have been seeing him for 4 years.

Do you know why his marriage broke down, seems a good bet that he did to his wife what he did to you.
If his wife had contacted you, do you think you would have stopped seeing him ?

I don't think so, and that was his wife a woman who knew him very well.

I don't think you ever really knew him, he's a cheat, probably always was, but you never know, with the one he's got maybe she's got enough assets to keep him interested forever, who knows.

He's still married whichever way you look at it, not a great catch for anyone, but he's separated so as far as girlfriends he's allowed to move on without previous girlfriends marking him out of ten for bad behaviour.

I don't think you've lost much to be honest, on paper he sounds crap.

Planesmistakenforstars · 30/10/2022 11:34

Yes, I would send it.

ThatshallotBaby · 30/10/2022 11:38

Yes. I would want to know. It’s up to her what she does, but at least she would know.

girlmom21 · 30/10/2022 11:42

I'd tell her because I'd want to know if it was me.

BigWillyStyleandPrincessKate · 30/10/2022 11:48

How come you could see his social media now but not when you were together?

Yes, I would tell. She might not want to be gaslit for 6 years.

MorrisZapp · 30/10/2022 11:58

I'd be surprised if any woman in history has ever ended a fresh, exciting new relationship because of a warning from the guy's ex girlfriend.

Relationships just don't work like that. Think back to the start of your own current relationship. Would you have binned him if his ex contacted you to slag him off? Truly?

BigWillyStyleandPrincessKate · 30/10/2022 11:59

Slag him off, no.

Show me messages that prove they'd been in a long term relationship when we got together, Christ yes.

KettrickenSmiled · 30/10/2022 12:16

So for years, this man gaslit you to the extent that you needed anxiety medication ... but you think he is now your "friend"?

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.
HE IS A PROVEN GASLIGHTER.
WHY HAVE YOU NOT BLOCKED HIM?

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
Does your friend thrive on drama?
You need to REMOVE yourself entirely from this man's orbit.
Instead of that, you are prolonging the agony & leaving yourself wide open to the predations of a gaslighter.

My friend asked me if the shoe was on the other foot would I want to know, and I know that I would
Crap.
This "OW" will not believe you, & even if she did, it's history now.
All this social media trawling & meeting up for 'explanations' & obsessing over timelines & wondering about his motivations is doing you no good at all.
Do you want to return to sleepless nights, anxiety & migranes? because that is where you are heading by keeping this man in your life.
He is a manipulative shit who is very certainly not your "friend."
He is grooming you to be his next bit on the side. He is toying with you.

Block him & move on with the amazing year & happiness you experienced once you finished with this man. Except now do it properly - no more SM, no more meetings, no more happily trotting off with him to cafes because you happened to bump into him FFS.
He is a gaslighting cheat - why are you giving him the time of day?

KettrickenSmiled · 30/10/2022 12:19

brittanyfairies · 29/10/2022 13:48

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

Well done. Keep him blocked. And beware Hoovering - lonerwolf.com/hoovering/

I absolutely do not want him back, it was hell, but I have always wanted to know why he has behaved like this
Because he can.
Honestly - it's no deeper than that. He'll cheat on his current woman too. (With you, if you let him).

Sittingonabench · 30/10/2022 12:26

It seems to me you were out - and thriving and living a good life but there was still this shadow around him and your relationship which he maintained by keeping in contact in the way he did. It’s totally understandable that you want to understand and wanted more info but it does strike me as a bit of self sabotage to pursue it and there is no benefit to you (and probably not to her either at this point). Take a step back and ask what action would benefit you? It seems obvious to me that the next step is block contact and disengage from him totally. You aren’t a back up option.

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