Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Would you contact the OW?

72 replies

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 13:53

I have posted in other chats about my finding out recently that DH has been having an emotional affair with a rep he knows from work. I am actually convinced it is more than just emotional and that (despite his protestations to the contrary) they have met up and spent time together. I have her email (work) and mobile number and wondered if there is anyone here who has been through similar and who has contacted the OW? I guess I just don't believe what he is telling me hence the reason for wanting to contact her but I am at the same time worried about what she will say and how I will feel about it.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 18/11/2022 14:37

I wouldn't, it gives her an odd kind of power over you. She gets to pick and choose what she tells you, and you have no idea if it's actually honest.

I'd be more inclined to give her boyfriend a ring.

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 14:39

Yes he says it was purely emotional and wasn't real and was a fantasy whilst also telling me she helped him out when he was really low and in a bad place. It makes no sense.....particularly given the regular and expensive gifts.

OP posts:
Wellitjustgetsworse · 18/11/2022 14:39

There's no point trying to figure out her motives been there done that. I've just accepted that people who do this don't care they have weak morals and your partner likely talked rubbish about you to her which further helps them not care even more. The same goes for your partner too he was tempted and went for it without giving two fucks.

Her reason is probably an ego thing. Some people need to have someone infatuated with them at any given time.

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 14:40

lunar1 · 18/11/2022 14:37

I wouldn't, it gives her an odd kind of power over you. She gets to pick and choose what she tells you, and you have no idea if it's actually honest.

I'd be more inclined to give her boyfriend a ring.

Unfortunately I don't know who the boyfriend is....

OP posts:
Quiegal · 18/11/2022 14:43

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 14:32

What I meant was when I confronted DH about the affair, he messaged her straight away to tell her that our DD had found out and told me. She just said "sorry". Bit late for that after 2 years during which our son was seriously ill.

@Helena22

Is your DH sorry?

Your not in a relationship with her and yes she had a hand in destroying you marriage.

He stepped out did something so wrong didn't obviously care at the time.

So it's out now and you need to decide if you can forgive him. If marriage counselling needed. If he will cut contact with her and what his feelings are towards her.

Don't bother going over the details he done what he done.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 18/11/2022 15:03

Sounds like he is still lying to you

LookingThroughYourEyes · 18/11/2022 15:06

Sorry you're going through this 💐

If I were you, I would contact the OW. If you take your husbands word and decide to move forward in your marriage but down the line, it transpires there is more to the story, you'll be back in this position. If you have all of the facts now, which you may already have, then you can make a well informed decision how best to move forward.

ReneBumsWombats · 18/11/2022 15:08

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 14:34

Then if she doesn't love him why would she stay with him for 2 years and risk hurting me and my kids as well as hers (from her ex-husband)?

Why would HE stay for two years and risk hurting you and everyone else? It's his actions that brought you here because he's the one with the responsibilities.

Who cares if she loves him? What she feels is totally irrelevant. What matters is how your husband feels and what he does.

I can't see any reason to contact her. I can't see how it'll make you feel better, how you'd trust anything she says for good or ill, how it'll make any difference to what your husband does, which is where it all rests now.

Sunshineandflipflops · 18/11/2022 15:10

LookingThroughYourEyes · 18/11/2022 15:06

Sorry you're going through this 💐

If I were you, I would contact the OW. If you take your husbands word and decide to move forward in your marriage but down the line, it transpires there is more to the story, you'll be back in this position. If you have all of the facts now, which you may already have, then you can make a well informed decision how best to move forward.

The likelihood of the OW giving op the 'facts' though is very poor.

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 15:11

I keep questioning my judgement in all of this. What I know is:

He sent multiple gifts to her including flowers (including abroad when she was working overseas), champagne, chanel perfume, a tiffany's love knot necklace and gifts for events such as her birthday and their "anniversary" (which I am told was just the date when they realised they cared about each other). There were intimate messages with some of the gifts - my DD screenshot them after getting into his email account.

What I am confused about it whether I am over-reacting to all this. Whether in truth it was just a close friendship that became a bit of an escape/fantasy and whether this in itself justifies the strong reaction I have had to finding out. I am on meds, feel suicidal, struggling to work and going round and round in circles in my brain.

He has said he wants to stay and he is sorry (cue tears) but the trust is gone.

I also don't understand how she could do such a cruel thing knowing what we were going through as a family (son's illness and hospitalisation)....

OP posts:
Maybeandfive · 18/11/2022 15:20

From what you have said there is no hope that this wasn't a full on affair, and frankly he is insulting your intelligence by claiming otherwise. There can be no recovery from an affair without full honesty and he is still lying to your face.

I also don't understand how she could do such a cruel thing knowing what we were going through as a family (son's illness and hospitalisation)
No. What is cruel is your husband putting you through this additional pain by having an affair at this time. He is probably truthful that it was an 'escape' but as in a full on affair - a nice little bubble to escape the 'pressure' or mundanity of real life. Look on any married person's 'dating' site and this is a common narrative from middle aged men as to what they are looking for from an affair.

ReneBumsWombats · 18/11/2022 15:22

Helena22 · 18/11/2022 15:11

I keep questioning my judgement in all of this. What I know is:

He sent multiple gifts to her including flowers (including abroad when she was working overseas), champagne, chanel perfume, a tiffany's love knot necklace and gifts for events such as her birthday and their "anniversary" (which I am told was just the date when they realised they cared about each other). There were intimate messages with some of the gifts - my DD screenshot them after getting into his email account.

What I am confused about it whether I am over-reacting to all this. Whether in truth it was just a close friendship that became a bit of an escape/fantasy and whether this in itself justifies the strong reaction I have had to finding out. I am on meds, feel suicidal, struggling to work and going round and round in circles in my brain.

He has said he wants to stay and he is sorry (cue tears) but the trust is gone.

I also don't understand how she could do such a cruel thing knowing what we were going through as a family (son's illness and hospitalisation)....

He did it. During his son's illness and hospitalisation.

He sent her numerous expensive gifts.

He celebrated their "anniversary".

It doesn't matter a jot what she thinks or wants or does. He's the one married to you, he's the one who is the father of your ill son (who I very much hope is better), he's the one who did all these things while under a promise to you that he never would.

You don't need to talk to her. You know everything you need to know. She's not part of this decision. Whether you work through it or call time is based on what he does, because it's what he did that brought you here. She's nothing.

And she most likely wouldn't talk to you anyway. That seems to be how most OW respond to contact from the wife.

flutterbyfly · 18/11/2022 15:40

You are focusing on entirely the wrong thing/person here.

As said on your other thread, he obviously isn't remorseful or tripping over himself to win back your trust. There will always be doubt and probably more affairs.

You need to leave him.

VanillaParkersBowl · 18/11/2022 17:47

What I am confused about it whether I am over-reacting to all this. Whether in truth it was just a close friendship that became a bit of an escape/fantasy and whether this in itself justifies the strong reaction I have had to finding out. I am on meds, feel suicidal, struggling to work and going round and round in circles in my brain.

You are not overreacting. Why shouldn't you have a strong reaction? Your partner was unfaithful to you. It doesn't matter about the ins and outs of the relationship, he was unfaithful.

What matters is your mental health. I understand it going round and round in your brain, I was exactly the same, it's all consuming. Please do what you can to get some help with your feelings and start building up your self esteem and strength. No cheating bastard is worth what you are going through. There is life after arseholes Flowers

girlmom21 · 18/11/2022 17:51

If he was sorry he'd have cut all ties. He have changed jobs to avoid contact with her.

Facecream · 18/11/2022 17:57

OP I remember your other threads.
What are you afraid of?
You know the trust is gone so what’s the point?
Your poor daughter was dragged into this by overhearing him and having to do the checks into it.
What the fuck are you showing her?
That unless sex occurs there is no way to betray or destroy a marriage?
But you know you won’t leave. You will tell yourself you never had enough proof.
I know you said you are a lawyer.. ask yourself what’s the standards of proof here?
And what does your daughter think?
Whats this prince of Fuckwads doing yo help her or you to move past it??

petermaddog · 18/11/2022 18:07

paste stamp on his forehead and mail him to her

user182211 · 18/11/2022 20:39

Having read all your updates, you need to leave this marriage. He has no respect for you. You asked him to cut her off yet he still has her number and still sees her. He bought her gifts for their "anniversary"! At this point, it shouldn't matter whether it was physical or whether he is hiding anything else. The facts that you DO have are already more than enough reason to divorce him.

If your DD hadn't found out, there's a good chance they'd still be having an affair right now, that's assuming it has definitely stopped.

Show your daughter that this is not how a man should treat you. Leave him. You will always be questioning, wondering, doubting. It's no way to live.

And don't contact her. At best, you'll get confirmation of the emotional affair. At worst she'll tell you it was physical or she'll get a kick out of knowing how crazy it is driving you.

Quiegal · 18/11/2022 20:41

I also don't understand how she could do such a cruel thing knowing what we were going through as a family (son's illness and hospitalisation)....

Because you DH obviously wanted her too. She didn't just put a spell on him.

BTW it was cruel of him to know your son's illness and hospitalisation and still carry on with her.

If he wants her tell him go to her.

OldFan · 18/11/2022 23:33

What I am confused about it whether I am over-reacting to all this

This is a Question To Which The Answer Is No @Helena22 .

A love knot necklace? Wow.

You can't be sure anything she said to you would be true- if she still wants to stay on his good side she'll say the same sort of things as him and deny anything further happened.

You have enough to separate from him based on all the stuff you already know he's done.

Fraaahnces · 18/11/2022 23:43

Have you been receiving beautiful gifts like flowers and perfume? Probably not. He’s not in this marriage for you. He’s investing in her.

glitterfarts · 18/11/2022 23:46

Your poor DD. Show her that it is unacceptable. Leave him immediately.

He's married to YOU.
He's sending another love messages, love notes, love jewellery, celebrated their anniversary. He's slept with her. Does he celebrate his other friends anniversary like this? Do you?
You know. You just don't want to.
Put your big girl pants on, kick him to the kerb.

SpangledShambles · 18/11/2022 23:51

you are stuck in cheating husband brain fog. Don’t let that define the rest of your life and poison your children’s minds. Don’t contact OW. It’s just more fodder for their cannon. You need to boot him.

determinedtomakethiswork · 18/11/2022 23:51

She will only tell you what's going on if she hates him or if she really wants him to move in with her. If it's casual on her behalf or if she wants to stay with someone else than she just will either not answer or not tell you the truth. Unfortunately, you have no idea of knowing which is the case. I really feel for you.

pumpkinsareshortlived · 19/11/2022 01:08

There is a typical format almost all married men follow and his affair is definately ongoing. If he's told you it's over and she's moved on to someone else it is likely he is trying to throw you off scent. Of course the relationship is sexual. Flowers and intimate Tiffany bracelets (however tawdy they are) are not sent to a person you are merely infatuated with. Come on OP, having read your two posts, you know the answers to the questions you pose BUT are sucked in by the insulting explanations to you from a prize cheat and liar.

Mine followed this script even down to the exact same Tiffany bracelet gift. Their anniversary was the date they first had sex. Affair carried on for nearly two years. He built a whole new secret life with her whilst saying verbatum to me, what your husband is now telling you.

I understand your need to know, and of the utter heartbreak and despair you are going through. OW is the one he confides and shares everything with, she is his primary relationship. He is paying lip service to you to merely be able to continue cake eating whilst not looking like the bad guy if this all explodes. He's a weak pathetic man who currently despite his tears and pleas holds all the power in your marriage due to affair. You are walking on eggshells, undecided if X or Y is enough to blow up your marriage. If he had ANY integrity he would make his phone available to you, he would get a job elsewhere and her number would not be in his phone. ACTIONS NOT EMPTY WORDS FROM HIM OP!

I am telling you this from a place of concern, as I really hate to see other women go through the same as I. All who comment (including yourself in your other post) are correct, there is no coming back from this as he acts like an entitled jerk who has zero respect for you, has realised he can manipulate and use your lack of support (sounding board) network to HIS advantage. I bet you are still protecting and giving him the benefit of the doubt by not confiding in wider family and friends.

Unless he is totally transparent, cuts ALL contact and acts with remorse, not just guilt - please make the required plans to get ducks in a row, expose and grey rock him through a divorce. You need to become your best friend now and look out for your self. He is not on your side. You will never get the trust back and it will make you ill. The body certainly keeps the score. I lost nearly 5 stone, half my hair and gained a stomach ulcer, nevermind my mental health trying to get my head around the lies and manipulation. I was finally diagnosed with PTSD.

He and the OW have jeapordised your mental and physical health, they have colluded to deny you of your reality and informed consent if he has been sexually active with you whilst affair was ongoing. Are you really prepared to stay with a man like that and try to trust him with your future happiness? Please get an STD test ASAP.

Find your anger and put the power back in your hands if you are still in doubt. Ask him to move out and give you space and time to decide IF you want to stay in the marriage. His reaction should tell you all you need to know. A man desperately wanting to save his marriage rather than sweep his piss poor betraying behaviour under the carpet would be understanding and do anything to prove he is now genuine.

When I took the power back, quietly with a steely determination instead of doing the pick me dance, he came begging and pleading.but ultimately it gave me the strength to tell him to stick it and divorce him. The affair fizzled out a short while later.

Incidentally I too thought it was imperative I contact the OW upon discovery, her response was to send me a text detailing how wonderful she felt when he made love to her. He then claimed to end affair. I chose to believe him and try to reconcile. When I discovered it continued for yet another 18mths not only was I distraught but had to put up with a stream of cruel, nasty and further revealing emails from her. One asking when I was leaving him so she could move in and telling me I should stand on my own two feet and stop leaching off him. He had obviously spun her a pack of lies too as it was my money that was supporting us both. I certainly didn't need their drama in my life.

Be careful what you hope to achieve by contacting the OW as she comes with preconceived ideas of what your relationship is like as he will have to have justified affair to not make him look like the bad guy and she is unlikely to believe a word you say or tell you the truth.

Swipe left for the next trending thread