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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

My Husband keeps lying about another woman

19 replies

AnxiousAnnie8637 · 12/08/2023 05:20

Hi. I'm new to this so please bear with me. For the past 9 months my husband keeps lying to me about another woman.
It started back when I checked our bank accounts and saw he'd spent money on a gift, upon asking him who it was for he did tell me it was for this woman but because I'd literally never heard of her, she's not a family friend, he's never mentioned her and he only met her whilst walking the dog, I told him it made me very uncomfortable and I asked him to cancel the gift. He did.
Since then however, i keep finding out that he's lying over and over about his relationship with her. He's bought her food and taken it to her flat when she had covid, he's been messaging her and had her messages in a locked folder on his phone, he's been on walks with her. There have been about 7 instances over the past months, different things, and I've found out and each time he promises nothings going on, he wont do it again, that she is just a friend but obviously he isn't taking how it's making me feel into account as he keeps doing it. The latest is that he was ordering a personalised tshirt for her and I only found out because an email came through about the order. He says he does it all as he likes to help people but he doesn't appear to do this for anybody else in our lives....friend or not. I don't even get thoughtful surprise gifts and I'm his wife. We've argued, he says I'm wrong and nothing has happened but even though I think I believe that nothing physical has happened, I just can't trust him. We've been together 16 years, we have children so I want it to work but I just don't know how to believe a word he says when he's proven over and over he lies. Is it just me? Maybe my version of how a marriage should be is skewed but I would never do this to him and I feel like he isn't thinking about me each and every time he tells another lie and sees or speaks to this woman. I feel like I'm going crazy so please be kind. I do want this to work but at this moment just don't see how. Thankyou for listening.

OP posts:
savethatkitty · 12/08/2023 05:32

There's definitely something going on. You don't buy gifts etc for another woman but not your wife.

Monkeylimas · 12/08/2023 05:33

Sorry op but it sounds like he’s cheating. It may not be physical but it’s cheating. But You can only control your behaviour.

What you do know is are unhappy, understandably. He is lying (typically). You don’t want to be in a relationship with a liar or cheat.

You need to speak to a solicitor and see what your situation is financially. Then you tell him you love him, you want your marriage but you are not sharing him with anyone. And as you are sharing him with this woman at the minute your only option is to start separating. He will lie at this point. You must continue against your natural instinct.

It may seem harsh and I know it’s not what you want however it’s likely to be the only way he pulls his head out of his arse. Read Shirley Glass ‘not just friends’ this weekend - you can buy in kindle. Look up the 180. Look at surviving infidelity website.

Also be prepared that when you know the truth (if he doesn’t tell the truth you are unlikely to make it) and your emotions have calmed you may not want him anymore. This is common 3-5 years down the line when you realise he isn’t the person you thought he was.

Im sorry op.

Monkeylimas · 12/08/2023 05:35

Also do not tell him you are seeing a solicitor. He is not your friend.he’s a liar. Find your facts out. But stop sharing. Read the 180 first thing today.

AmeliPoison · 12/08/2023 05:43

He's cheating on you.

Misty84 · 12/08/2023 05:49

This is really disrespectful to you. What he’s doing is totally out of order and yes it indicates cheating. Especially as he lies to you and continues with the behaviour. This is NOT ok and you are NOT going crazy.

BananaSpanner · 12/08/2023 05:51

Sounds like he’s justifying it to himself because they (maybe) haven’t been physical yet. It sounds like an emotional affair.

You don’t need proof to end your marriage if you are unhappy.

BananaSpanner · 12/08/2023 05:53

Who is she anyway? If it’s platonic, why is it all so secretive? Have you met her?

C1N1C · 12/08/2023 06:06

Simple solution. Say you're uncomfortable with her and say you want to look at his phone with the hidden folder. This is literally a once in a relationship ask, as it REALLY does push boundaries, but seriously, if my partner said they were really upset about a relationship, I'd want to reassure them.

There is a fine line between being controlling, snoopy, and that really consistently unattractive insecure vibe some people have, but I think everyone is allowed one.

Truth be told, if my partner wanted to go through my phone at any time, I'd have no issues with just handing it over ever! But if you ask for something innocent like your battery has died, or just to look up stuff and they get all cagey, bad sign.

Elcad · 12/08/2023 06:21

I'm sorry for you, what a terrible situation. As she is "just a friend", you could tell your husband to invite her for coffee to introduce his wife and children. She may not even know he's married...
You could tell your husband's family and mutual friends what is happening in front of your husband. Hopefully they will support you and this might put some sense into him and put an end to this platonic relationship.
Couple counselling could probably help. Is your husband willing to try? Does your husband understand his marriage is at risk?

40andlovelife · 12/08/2023 06:41

She's not just a friend and the likelihood is that they have been physical. He's cheating

BarbaraV · 12/08/2023 06:47

She's not just a friend

Hibiscrubbed · 12/08/2023 07:01

He’s cheating in plain sight. He’s buying her gifts, secretly meeting her, going to her flat for food, going out with her… what the actual fuck does he think he’s doing?! I

MsDogLady · 12/08/2023 07:13

I keep finding out that he’s lying over and over about his relationship with her.

Annie, this is an emotional affair, at the very least. Your H is treating you and the children like dirt on his shoe.

He has proven with his repeated secrecy and dishonesty about the locked folder of messages, gifting, 1:1 meet-ups, etc., just how heavily invested he is in this OW. He is devaluing you and dismissing your feelings while prioritizing and building intimacy with her.

This is infidelity and he is making a mockery of you with all the devious deception. This would be a dealbreaker for me, and you don’t have to tolerate it either.

H needs to experience a very effective consequence — to feel the loss of you. Show him the door and tell him that you aren’t prepared to be in a marriage of lies consisting of 3 people. Then consult with a solicitor to learn your options. You can make permanent decisions later when gauging H’s remorse or lack thereof: cutting contact with OW, acknowledging and taking responsibility for his transgressions, answering all questions, providing full transparency with his phone/devices/statements, and working on himself via IC and readings. Accepting anything less from him would be a form of self-harm.

I echo @Monkeylimas‘ excellent suggestions of Not Just Friends, the 180, and the survivinginfidelity site.

Keep posting for support, Annie.

SpringleDingle · 12/08/2023 07:21

Yup, he’s cheating. This is a relationship ended for me.

ASoapImpressionOfHisWifeWhichHeAte · 12/08/2023 09:03

I'm sorry to say but the locked folder proves it's an affair as far as I'm concerned. Unless he has lots of peoples messages in locked messages, but I'd bet £50 he doesn't.

lyralycra · 12/08/2023 09:50

If she's such a good friend, why hasn't he invited her round to dinner?!

MrsMoastyToasty · 12/08/2023 09:53

Stop tying yourself up in knots and call his bluff. Get a solicitor and petition for divorce.

Who wants a lying cheating bastard anyway? I certainly wouldn't.

rainbowstardrops · 12/08/2023 09:59

Well it certainly doesn't look good does it? Of course he can have a platonic friendship with a fellow dog walker but a line has been crossed when you put messages into a locked folder, buy gifts and food and go to the person's home.
At the very least I reckon he's having an emotional affair. Possibly more. Sorry.

lyralycra · 12/08/2023 10:05

My partner has female acquaintances through dog walking and as far as I know he's never bought them gifts. Why would he? It's bizarre.

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