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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

Domestic violence one off?

50 replies

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 08:59

I came on here a few weeks ago about discovering my OH was having an affair.
I got absolutely flamed. It was horrific. I left Mumsnet as a result.
Please be kind. I am very fragile.
I stayed with husband after affair which lasted two months. Ended when I found out. No contact since.
I have found it very very difficult to stop spiralling and thinking about the affair.
we have tried to get back on track.
sometimes it goes quite well. other times not so well.
I told OH, I was going to even up the score and do exactly what he did.
To this end I went online and met someone and arranged to meet with them.
husband hacked my phone, and contacted the man and told him to delete his online profile and never contact me again.
We went to a friend’s house the other evening and had a lovely time. I had one small glass of wine.
husband a strong gin and tonic.
got home and I was on my phone in one room- I often am, and husband in kitchen.
OH became angry that I was online again, probably talking to men and started drinking heavily. He dragged up some inappropriate texting I did nearly twenty years ago, with my ex, on one occasion. He posted about it on Reddit pretending it had just happened.
he then used the vitriolic responses to goad and taunt me.
I went to bed. I barricaded bedroom door.
he broke the door down, came in drunk and shouting. I was literally lying in bed trying to sleep. I had told him not to come in.
suddenly I was covered in beer. As I gasped and tried to get up, I felt a huge explosion in my face- he had thrown his heavy glass tankard at me and it had shattered on my nose. I was covered in glass.
if I hadn’t had my eyes closed from the initial hit of beer, I would have been blinded. I really believe that.
I got up, thinking I was wet from the beer, but when I opened my eyes I was soaked in my own blood.
he was immediately remorseful, trying to help.
I got out and went to the bathroom to try and remove the glass from my face.
I was in agony.
I have lacerations to my forehead, now I have two black eyes, and a suspected broken nose.
he offered to call an ambulance and hand himself in to the police but I stopped him.
I don’t want the shame, stigma, our children would be devastated. We would lose our lovely home.
my father is terminally sick and I am dealing with that too.
i couldn’t drive. I had a bath, tried to stem the blood flow and he said- I will drink coffee and sober up and take you to hospital. He did.
I lied about what happened.
I had 15 shards of glass removed from my face.
stitches.
glue.
my nose will heal and not require surgery.
I will be scarred for life.
he has never been violent, and never cheated, in nearly twenty years of marriage.
he said I had goaded him by speaking to someone else online.
he said he was drunk, and that he will seek help for that- he has.
How can I ever trust him again?
I have had to move bedrooms because I am so triggered and panicked by the fact it happened in my safe place- in my bed, at home, that I cannot sleep in that room again.
I love him, and just cannot equate his behaviour with who I thought he was.
he has been under a huge amount of pressure financially and personally. But so have I.
I hit him and pulled his hair recently on more than one occasion about the affair. He says that makes me a domestic abuser too.
but I wouldn’t dream of glassing him which is effectively what he did. I have never ever experienced violence and I am so traumatised by it. I keep having flashbacks.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 22/06/2023 09:03

Your relationship is Sipo awfully toxic and violent you need to end it. Do you have kids

GeriatricMumma · 22/06/2023 09:05

Makes no sense - you said you found out he had cheated but also in 20 years he has never been violent or cheated?

You sound toxic together. For each others sake, walk away.

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:05

We have children. Teenagers. Thankfully neither of them was here and witnessed this. They know about the affair and it has greatly affected their relationship with their father. Both told me they are disgusted by him. But, they don’t want us to get divorced.

OP posts:
AndTheSurveySays · 22/06/2023 09:06

Your relationship has deteriorated beyond repair. You need to split up.

GeriatricMumma · 22/06/2023 09:06

Ps

You ARE a domestic abuser if you hit and pulled his hair.

Get some help. Don't expect sympathy.

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:06

He cheated in March and April this year- that’s when all the trouble started. But prior to that, never in nearly twenty years. I am shell shocked by the cheating and the violence as it is so out of character. I can hardly believe it. Then I look in the mirror.

OP posts:
Pkhsvd · 22/06/2023 09:07

You need to walk away; once that line is crossed then it keeps getting crossed and it keeps escalating.

SnapPop · 22/06/2023 09:07

This is horrific OP.

cuckyplunt · 22/06/2023 09:08

No fixing this one, you only get one life, are you really going to waste it in this misery.
Your teenagers will be much better out of this situation too.

LIZS · 22/06/2023 09:08

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:05

We have children. Teenagers. Thankfully neither of them was here and witnessed this. They know about the affair and it has greatly affected their relationship with their father. Both told me they are disgusted by him. But, they don’t want us to get divorced.

Even though he has physically assaulted you? And will likely do so again. Will police charge him? Sounds like he has been abusive for years and u fortunately tolerance of that will skew your and their perspective and boundaries. You do not need to live like this.

bibbityboppityboo · 22/06/2023 09:08

You're both domestic abusers.

It's never a once off.

You need to separate - your children are teenagers, they don't have a say in your marital status.

Your relationship is dead - going out to cheat because he did? Pulling his hair and hitting him multiple times? Him throwing a glass of beer in your face? Having to barricade yourself in a room because he's drunk?

This will only end up one way OP if you stay together.

GeriatricMumma · 22/06/2023 09:08

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:06

He cheated in March and April this year- that’s when all the trouble started. But prior to that, never in nearly twenty years. I am shell shocked by the cheating and the violence as it is so out of character. I can hardly believe it. Then I look in the mirror.

What you mean is, that's the only time you know about.

Either way. All of this is too much and highly volatile; it has to end.

As for the kids, it's not their decision if you split or not.

WhineWhineWhineWINE · 22/06/2023 09:09

You have both behaved badly and destroyed your relationship. Violence is a line that means it's over once it's crossed in my opinion. Separate and get on with your lives.

GoodChat · 22/06/2023 09:09

Get the fuck out of there. This has become a terrifyingly toxic relationship. It doesn't matter that neither of you were like this before. A switch has flipped and there's no turning it off again.

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:10

LIZS · 22/06/2023 09:08

Even though he has physically assaulted you? And will likely do so again. Will police charge him? Sounds like he has been abusive for years and u fortunately tolerance of that will skew your and their perspective and boundaries. You do not need to live like this.

No, he has never been abusive before, not ever. We have had a good relationship for nearly twenty years. Until now.

OP posts:
ItsBritneyBitchhhh · 22/06/2023 09:10

Awful behaviour all around. Why do you think this is a relationship either of you should stay in? It doesn’t really matter what the kids once when you start being violent to one another

WilkinsonM · 22/06/2023 09:11

This isn't a one off it's a lots off. He's cheated, you tried to cheat, he's abused you online, you've assaulted him and now he's seriously, seriously assaulted you. It doesn't matter if the kids want you to stay together, they are kids and it's not their responsibility to decide this. You have to take responsibility for the shit show your marriage has become (of your husband's making, but you're living in it, and making it worse) and end it. What he did was unforgivable.

yellowsmileyface · 22/06/2023 09:12

Are you hoping for advice on how to salvage the relationship? Because that's not going to happen.

You're both being abusive. Don't kid yourself that because the kids weren't around, they don't sense what's going on. The only solution is to separate.

northernlola · 22/06/2023 09:12

You really need to end this relationship, there's no coming back from all this.

WilkinsonM · 22/06/2023 09:13

OldEnglishJedia · 22/06/2023 09:10

No, he has never been abusive before, not ever. We have had a good relationship for nearly twenty years. Until now.

What was his excuse for cheating then?

ClickingTock123 · 22/06/2023 09:14

Sometimes two people together just bring out the worst in each other

hamstersarse · 22/06/2023 09:14

Partners should bring out the best in one another, it looks like you two bring out the worst.

lines have been crossed, you can’t really fix this one, you’ll be better parents apart

blackpooolrock · 22/06/2023 09:15

This sounds absolutely horrific.

The relationship is over - you need to walk away.

A lovely home shouldn't keep you in a relationship with someone who smashes a glass and hospitalises you.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 22/06/2023 09:18

I mean, it's not a one off, is it?

You said you have hit him and pulled his hair on a couple of occasions, he's thrown a glass in your face.

If there is love there I do believe in giving things a real good try, but I'm not sure how you could come back from this.

You do something once and get away with it, it's probably very easy to do it again.

Have you tried couples and individual counselling? I that doesn't work, it's time to walk away (if it's not already)

Snugglemonkey · 22/06/2023 09:18

This is irreconcilable.