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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

Cyber stalking his ex... Cheating.....

64 replies

ThatMumBecky · 03/07/2023 16:50

Unsure what to do.. I wish "break up" wasn't the answer to everything.....

At Christmas I was on our computer when my partner got his new phone. He backed his old phone up to Google for easier transfer / installing stuff on his new phone. When Google photos flashed up saying his Google photos had been backed up and it flashed up with this naked picture of a Internet girl, Liz he had a relationship with before we got together 5 years or so ago.. She was married, still is, but they'd sext all the time... Flirt.. Fantasise about if they could be together.. Their wedding, holidays, kids and pet names.. Etc.. Etc.. It ended for them when she wouldn't leave her husband for my now partner especially since she lives in America and us in the UK. Anyways.. So I clicked on it and there's thousands of pictures of her, his best friend who's from Auz, his ex, other friends of ours, but mostly HER all saved from Instagram, twitter, Facebook, tumblr etc etc.. Pictures in underwear, swimwear, near nude, thirst trap, pinup, sexy... Anyways I'd had him block Liz at the beginning of our relationship as he was still masterbating over her nudes despite they hadn't spoken in over a year.. And this is how I found out about her and their past. We did break up.. And I spoke to his best friend about it, even told her about what he had been doing to her bikini pics and he told her my ex hacked my account and was trying to cause shit. No more was said about it. But then we talked and we got back together..

Anyways so it's just before Christmas and I took photos of the computer screen. Video of it. As he's been saving every single picture she posts on her socials of her for years.. Even ones of her and her husband with him cropped out. She posts a lot of underwear pics, pin-up, thirst trap, kink pictures, gym and swim suit.. Etc.. Etc.. I was very upset. He at first tried to say he didn't know how they go there.. Then he has an app auto set up to save her pictures but he forgot about it.. Then someone else / I had saved them to cause a fight.. Eventually he admitted that he looks at her like he looks at porn. It doesn't mean anything. Well one huge argument later.. We talked things through.. He deleted all the pictures, inc from the recycle bin. Blocked her on all socials, while I watched. And grovelled..

January. I was in our bedroom when his bedside drawer started vibrating. I looked to see what was going on and discovered he's been using his old phone to look at and save pictures of Liz and the odd pic of other people but every single pic Liz has posted to her socials again. And he's now screenshotting her (brand new) TikTok and downloading her videos. TikTok history shows he's been watching her videos daily for the past week. While other socials showed he'd been searching for her and she was unblocked on everything.... I confronted him about it. And of course firstly I'm in trouble for snooping.. I explained he'd forgotten to turn the phone off before he left for work and that he'd hidden it and was doing this on his old phone because he knows it's wrong. Second he denied doing it it was either old stuff.. Or I had done this to cause a fight.. Finally he apologised for it, but still adamant he didn't do it. He swore he wokldnt any more. He then got home from work he showed me that she is blocked on everything so how could he have done it? Even though he apologised! ..and later while I was asleep he formatted the phone so the evidence was gone..!! And I no longer had free access to his socials (despite his password is Liz's birthday!!). I mean I took pictures and video with my phone...... But yeh. We worked things out and for a while things seemed really good with us.

Until one late May morning I woke up and he was on his phone looking at Liz's Instagram. I watched as he saved her pictures to his dropbox.. He then blocked her again, exited out the apps and proceeded to wake me up for sex........ I was already awake and I hit the roof. I told him what I'd just seen and he said that I must of dreamed it.. He didn't at all do that!! She's blocked!! I explained I'd just watched him.. I made him log into his dropbox and when he did the pictures weren't there (so clearly he has a secret email and a secret dropbox account?). We argued but he insisted I'd dreamed the whole thing!!

About a week later I was on my Instagram and if flashed up with "people you make know, because other people you know (my fiance and 2 of our friends) are following Liz". What?! So I outright asked him, while in bed next to him. "Why are you following Liz on Instagram?" he said he isn't, she's still blocked. So I made him pull up Instagram and sure enough she isn't blocked and he is following her.. He instantly and adamantly told me that I had done this to cause shit!! What! When? How did I even unlock his phone which he keeps with him 24/7........ I told him how I can't log on on his pc; despite I knowing her birthday/his password is her birthday because he has 2 factor authentication on it so he would have had a phone notification.... So definitely wasn't me. Then as he exited out of Instagram it showed open apps including twitter which was actively open on her twitter page on one of her pictures!! I said "and I suppose I did that too". He said nothing, swiped that off too and then asked what I was talking about. I said how I just saw her on his twitter and he said he thinks I see what I want to see!! I hit him, threw my engagement ring at him and stormed off to the kitchen. While putting my shoes on he said he's really sorry, it was a moment of weakness and he only looked at her he didn't save her pictures or anything. We talked for hours... Thing is he has a world of women to look at, masterbate to.. I've given up trying to stop him because his porn addiction / ED he won't stop.. He uses his ED as an excuse to masterbate to porn to relieve frustration of not being able to pleasure me / stay long enough as we're trying for a baby.. Or we were.. (even though I 100% think his ED with me is because of porn). Anyways he won't get help.. But the few people (exes and friends) I've asked him not to look at he can't manage that!?! So we talked.. And we agreed for the sake of our relationship he is done with her. I am who he wants. He gave me my ring back. And he was in shock as I'm the most anti-violent.. Never hit anyone before I won't even hit my dog.

2 weeks later I'm starting to feel "OK" when I am on our/his computer editing videos when Google photos pops up "your Google photos are backed up" and there is another sodding picture of Liz. I clicked on it and looked and it was literally from her today's Instagram stories!! Along with 2 pictures from her feed yesterday. I again took photos sent them to him and confronted him about the fact he is STILL doing this. He instantly deleted them and said that they're old pictures and he doesn't know how they got on there!! I went into his Google photos bin and was met by dozens of pictures all screenshot with in the last 2 weeks... I showed him that every photo info shows his phone, screenshot while he was at work, the dates and times and his phone ID. He instantly turned round and said I'd done it.. Then said that he doesn't know how they're on there.. Then when I showed him they're pictures from her latest posts this week and her today's stories.. He then phoned me and said he was really sorry, he said how he just likes to look at her tits.. He doesn't see what the big deal is and he had to go as he's got a meeting but we will talk tonight and he really loves me. He hung up.. Then did a 180 and texted me showing me she's blocked. Insisting he didn't save those pics because she's blocked. He then showed me he had deleted everyone / her from his search history and promised he had no saved pics or videos of her or anyone other than me, which I know he doesn't have.. Theres no pics of me on any of his social medias. He doesn't like his picture taken. I'm not even his phone wallpaper any more.. Anyways I said I'm done with second chances I've had enough. He had to go into a meeting and we would talk when he was home. In the meantime I got some upsetting news my dad has had a heart attack and needed surgery for a blood clot. I wasn't in the mood to talk about Liz. So we just didn't talk about it.

About a week later / this Thursday I noticed she was in his search bar again on Instagram, she was the only person he has searched for.. I didn't feel upto another fight so said nothing but it's bugged me ever since. Yesterday (Sunday) I was having a lay in and the doorbell went, it was our ASDA food delivery and he went to answer the door.. But he left his phone on the bed, unlocked. I know I shouldn't but I snooped...and he has been searching for Liz on Instagram, twitter, tumblr and tiktok. And she's of course unblocked on all of them social medias... I heard him coming up to ask me to give him a hand with the shopping so I quickly closed all apps, locked his phone and pretend I was asleep. But it's rotting away at me that she's unblocked and he's been looking AGAIN but I know if I say anything I'll be 1. In trouble for snooping and 2. He will just say I unblocked her to cause shit.... I can't help myself, it's driving me mad.. Today I went on the computer to legitimately video edit and it says he's logged out and needs to log back in. I logged in and it says he changed his password 2 weeks ago, dated day after I saw her pics on his Google photos!! So he's deliberately hiding things.....

I can't be mad because he is entitled to his privacy. But also he is hiding things and breaking promises and I don't know what to do........ I know if she was single and they lived in the same country they'd most likely be together. And outside of this our relationship is actually amazing we don't fight, we get on so well and when he's not at work (or looking at Liz) we spend nearly every second we can together.. His choice. But clearly he's obsessed with her.. And doesn't even care how I feel. And it's now driving me to snoop and be constantly thinking about it......

I don't know. I don't wona hear break up.. Leave him.. End it.. I just wish there was another option here........ Thanks for letting me vent.

Bex x

OP posts:
chocobaby · 03/07/2023 17:07

What are you still doing with him? I don’t want to be harsh but breaking up with him is your only solution for this. He clearly isn’t going to change and doesn’t value you enough to sort this madness out. So live with it and be satisfied with the fact that this will be your life (one of heartache and fights over an ex posting thirst traps) for as long as you’re with him. That’s your only other option.

Champagneponies · 03/07/2023 17:13

I can't believe in any which way you are still with this pig of a man. He very clearly will not change. You have given him so so many chances and he has s**t all over your boundaries and any respect he has for you was lost a long time ago.
I'm being cruel to be kind here. You need to wake up. This man does not love you. Have some self-respect and walk away. Please!!!

IncompleteSenten · 03/07/2023 17:16

If you don't want to hear break up then your only option is to make peace with the fact you are his second choice and it's actually her he wants.

I'm not sure how one goes about that but since that's the reality of it, that's what it means accepting

Shitshowatthefuckfactory · 03/07/2023 17:16

Ew, what a sleazy man.

Why would you want to continue with this relationship? He's grim.

AmbleInAnnBoleyn · 03/07/2023 17:18

He's been persisting with this behaviour since before Christmas. You are okay with it, he thinks, because each time you catch him at it, nothing happens. So he continues. And it will continue. Nothing will change if nothing changes.

booksandbrews · 03/07/2023 17:18

You’ve not given him a second chance - you’ve given him loads of chances and his behaviour hasn’t changed at all. You either need to be willing to put up with it or leave, they are your only options at this point.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/07/2023 17:19

I only read half the OP because in that half you had set boundaries several times and had them ignored, been lied to constantly, belittled, gaslighted and treated like shit.

But for some reason you don't want to split up. So the answer is, find a way to be OK with his wanking over a woman he would be with in a second if she wanted him enough. Make yourself OK with being second best and staying with a lying cheat.

Cosycover · 03/07/2023 17:23

Why don't you want to break up?

forrestgreen · 03/07/2023 17:28

'Second chances' that's stretching the meaning of the word.
Have some self respect is what I really want to say.

But at the least. Don't get pregnant. Don't marry him

minou123 · 03/07/2023 17:32

I mean.this gently, but unless you break up with him, the only other option is to accept he will download pictures of Liz.
And you'll have to learn to live with that.

There are no magic words or other magic options to this.

I'm really concerned about your self-worth and the effect this is having on your self esteem.
It is no secret he is doing this. Time and time again, you find the pictures, you argue with him, he promises he'll never do it again, and then we are back to you finding more pictures.
Around and around it goes.

When is this going to end?
This is no way to live

unfortunateevents · 03/07/2023 17:38

Break up isn't the answer to everything but it certainly is in this case! I didn't even get half-way through your novel of an opening post before realising there is no future for this relationship. This isn't a one-off lapse, this is happening over and over and over and frankly why should he stop as you are still with him months later and taking the s^&t he is dealing out to you.

Silvered · 03/07/2023 17:44

What do you want people to tell you, if you don't want to be told to leave him?

He's disgusting. You are wasting your time, and your precious fertile years, on a porn-addicted man who is obsessively cyber stalking his ex for wank material.

Imagine for one moment that you had a daughter. Is this the relationship you'd want for her?

Raise your standards.

bumblebee2235 · 03/07/2023 17:46

No... I doubt she would be with him if she was single...

I'm surprised your still with him after all that tbh

MumGMT · 03/07/2023 17:50

I don't know. I don't wona hear break up.. Leave him.. End it.. I just wish there was another option here........ Thanks for letting me vent.

The only other options if you don't leave are to either carry on as you are, obsessing over him searching for her and saving pics, confronting him, being gaslighted and so on.....or just letting him do it and turning a blind eye.

He's not going to stop.

TheSeaDoesntKnowMyName · 03/07/2023 17:50

Oh for goodness sake why are you allowing him to do this??? He's more into her than you, and he keeps telling you but you won't listen.

Henbags · 03/07/2023 17:54

You need to get some self respect.

UndercoverCop · 03/07/2023 17:56

I'd actually be telling Liz , so she can block him or take measures to stop him cyber stalking her.

You need to leave him of course. He's obsessed with another woman and porn , yet you have no sex life because he has ED. He also lies to you repeatedly and tries to gaslight you.

Theunamedcat · 03/07/2023 18:07

So if you don't want to hear break up th8s is what I will tell you to do

Stay
Stay and always be second best
Stay and know he is using her as wank fodder
Stay and watch your self esteem self worth and any sense of pride crumble away
Stay and become a shell of yourself
Stay with him and watch him leave you one day because your "not the woman he married"
Your not even second best your something he keeps around who he knows will put up with him who loves him and who he can use up until your used out then he will move on

I hope your not planning on bringing kids into this they don't have a choice over who their parents are you can CHOOSE who your partner is

Is he worth all this

WhineWhineWhineWINE · 03/07/2023 18:08

I only got half way. Obsessed and wanking over another woman and can't manage to get it up for you. Repeatedly getting caught and trying to lie his way out of it. He's addicted and he's never going to stop. He's repulsive. Why are you even considering marrying him?

Strangerinastrangeland2023 · 03/07/2023 18:09

Sorry but you only have 2 options, leave and get on with your life or stay and put up with it.

How many chances are you going to give him? He clearly doesn't respect you and you forgive him each time he does it. He won't change. Ever . Having a baby with this person would not be a good idea and certainly would not fix the relationship. Can you stand the thought that everytime he has sex with you he's imagining it's her?
You know what to do and it's get rid of him if only for the sake of your own sanity.

bracemyselfagain · 03/07/2023 18:10

Stay with him - and one day in your 40's/50's/60's you can look back on this time and weep even more than your doing now.
You will become that bitter old woman who can't even stand to look at a romance novel, let alone actually pick one up to read.
You will end up hating your partner - if he hasn't already left you by then ...

StinkyWizzleteets · 03/07/2023 18:10

If you don’t want to dump him, what do you want?

he has shown you time and time again he doesn’t respect you, he’s tried to gaslight you, he lies to you, he sneaks around and hides things and is obsessed on the verge of stalking this other woman he cannot have.

He’s living in fantasyland and so are you. You’re not his dream woman, she is. He can’t get it up because you’re not her.

is This what you want for the rest of you life?

get real! The only way you aren’t being hurt by his obsession with Liz is if you’re not in a relationship with him and his obsession is no longer important to you. He’s not giving it up. You have to give him up.

or put up with being second best.

MILLYmo0se · 03/07/2023 18:16

He has no reason to ever stop looking at her, theres no consequences, just an argument and then everything goes back to as it was and his obsession with her continues.
You dont want to leave him, thats fair enough, but you ll have to accept that he is obsessed with another woman to the poibt that he oggles her, then uses you for sex. It wont change, ever - unless someone else comes along that he will leave you for.
If you stay, please dont have children with him

Thebigblueballoon · 03/07/2023 18:16

Your partner is absolutely obsessed with this ex. It’s really creepy to be screenshotting Instagram stories and saving all of her social media photos. He’s clearly checking her accounts every day and lying to you constantly to boot. He isn’t going to change his behaviour. And if she moved back to the UK I’d bet good money that he’d be gone in a shot. I hope you find the strength to leave this pathetic guy.

supercali77 · 03/07/2023 18:18

Why don't you want to break up with this Prince among men?