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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

Affair after nearly 40 years of marriage

545 replies

citylady62 · 26/06/2024 05:55

Same old story but after nearly 40 years of marriage and three grown up successful children I was ready to settle into a comfortable long retirement with my husband. In our marriage he's been the earner and I've worked part time. Times have gone up and down financially but we are now very comfortable - house in a good city and abroad. We have quite different interests and I know that I've been the more extrovert- would describe my husband maybe as borderline highly functioning ASD at times but only slightly. I guess we'd slipped into taking each other for granted. I'd envisaged a really easy ride retirement with him working in his interesting business which he's been growing for the part 4 years and will hopefully give us a good return eventually and which I can dabble in if I choose - it keeps him happy but too happy it turns out. He brought a woman into the business initially as a volunteer, then gave her a paid project and now she's full time managing one project. Last year he told me he no longer loved me and was worried for our future. I took it badly, threatened suicide. We dribbled on through winter into spring. No sleeping together. I suspected an affair but couldn't bring myself to ask. I know he loves the company of this woman who is 8 years his junior. He told me this spring that he had had an affair and slept with her ( I asked him this directly otherwise suspect he'd have kept that to himself) but couldn't contemplate breaking our family apart after so long. He's really keen got the grown up offspring not to know. I took it badly, threatened suicide again and he has agreed to end the affair. He's effectively ghosted his employee as I've told him it's her or me. I'm glad I'm causing her hurt through encouraging him to now treat her harshly because even though he says he instigated it I blame her for reciprocating. He has a high sex drive when younger but it slowed down a lot. I know they were really close, my husband was clearly in love and she's very much like him in personality- quiet, serious and work focused. God knows how he'll negotiate working with her without contact- their problem. He says he can't sack her as her own marriage ended (apparently not her fault and not through infidelity and before this affair) and he was a support through this. I should say my husband confessed to almost getting too close to another woman through work 4 years ago but we talked and it brought us closer, or do so thought. I don't want to lose him. I'm insanely jealous he turned to another woman for companionship leading to a 8 month affair. We slept together recently at my instigation as I needed evidence he was 'back' in our marriage. We'll have counselling. Not sure I'll ever forgive him but I do think, as does he, that he was ridiculous to threaten our comfortable years of retirement ahead and family moments just for the concept I suspect of finding a soulmate in his 60s. I know it's me forcing him to cut her off - he's out of touch emotionally in many ways and thought he could keep seeing her through work but I've put a stop to that by issuing an ultimatum. I know I'm very controlling but he's always seemed to be happy with that and happy in his own sweet world providing for me. We're starting counselling and I'm confident he's not seeing the OW and has but her off harshly to make things clear and he's constantly holding my hand etc again and agreeing to lots of being together. Will he really fall back in love with me having confessed to falling out of love with me last Autumn or is this all surface manipulation of feelings and deep down he still wants her? I can't contemplate life without the structure and status of my marriage - we've been together since I was in my early 20s so he's pretty much all I've known in terms of relationships. I just wanted life to keep
pottering on and can still incredulous he'd threaten all we've built up for an 8 month romance.
I confronted her at work and told her how awful she was for sleeping with my husband. She explained later he instigated and it was mutually deep feelings that they had for each other but i can't believe my loving gentle husband would go this without encouragement from her.

Now I'm feeling strong because he's back and has rejected her but I wonder if we can really ever get back to the 'together forever' stable couple I thought we were? Anyone else experienced an affair after such a long marriage? Will we make it? Will he suddenly give in on his no contact with OW I've forced him into? At the moment he's doing all to convince me it's over including sleeping with me and is full of regret but is this true love for me or normal for a man trying to convince himself that a good-ish marriage he almost gave up on for an affair is the better choice for comfort and stability in his later years (he's 64) than starting again with someone he once thought of as a soulmate but now seems able to cut off.

OP posts:
ThatSnugLimePlayer · 27/06/2024 05:54

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

frozendaisy · 27/06/2024 06:15

OP all you are looking for is reassurance that you can continue to have what you want how you want it forever.

But you can never be certain if someone is staying out of love rather than fear if you have forced their hand.

It seems you are happy to use emotional abuse, not just with suicide but towards making the OW as miserable as possible via your H. And you seem to take pleasure in this.

Can you just think about things from someone else's viewpoint for once?

Do you care about your H or is it just the status he gives you?
Can you honestly not see that threatening suicide is not a tactic it's abuse?

Is your H staying because he saw the light and now realises it's you he loves?

Honestly I don't think so. I think he is staying out of fear.

You are making him make OWs life a misery, you are both lying to your children about your "perfect" marriage, I assume you haven't talked to your GP about your suicidal thoughts.

Right now what you have is smoke and mirrors.

But yes your H has stayed for now. But think about who you are right now, you are emotionally abusive, you are bitter to the point of being twisted about the OW, you are insisting on lies to the children, and each other and yourself. I get the feeling you are never going to forgive him this yet he will be expected to forget the "suicide threats".

And this is starting to get to you inside because you posted on here. I think you are beginning to realise this. Hence why you are only seeking reassurance that all you have done is, you know basically ok, bit of a slip up, but you did what you had to to keep your status, you can plan trips away, meet up with friends to boast about how the Italian lakes are perfect this time of year, but you know that the innocent joy has been taken out of this, and not just by his but by your actions as well.
.
The happy, carefree, joyful retirement you are so desperate to cling to just isn't there right now. Yes the money and status might have remained but the planning together, loving committment with your long marriage, the caring for each other, the "we made it despite the kid's best efforts", the trust on both sides, the absolute certainty that this is where you both want to be, all these bits, the bits that make life happy, well they are going to take work to regain.

Would you want to stay with you?

Do you really want to stay with him?
If you lost everything and had to be together in a flat with no cash for travel would you want to be with him now?

The only way you will stop needing reassurance is to give him the option of leaving. Then see if he stays. .
Then if he does you need to forgive him
And then you need him to forgive you

Then you can move forward to happy twilight years.

Your marriage is now a pressure cooker of lies and manipulation. You need to talk to someone, if it's not going to be a friend you need to find a therapist, and so does your H, he should be able to talk to someone even a friend, or have you banned that as well, both singular and then perhaps together. It might mean the end of this façade but it would end at some point regardless.

Not many women can reassure you that a 40 marriage stayed together after an affair because of how you reacted. You made your H stay in fear of you taking your life. This is what you need therapy for. And this is why few can reassure you. He had another affair, you ramped up the abuse. Where do you go from here?

NonPlayerCharacter · 27/06/2024 06:50

Feckery · 26/06/2024 23:21

What are you actually saying though

It's wrong but it's not wrong.

Who cares, they all hurt when you're on the receiving end.

Op, I think the previous post suggesting Surviving Infedelity would be of help.

No one here can tell you if he is going to stay or remain faithful in the future but if he really wants to stay then this ow must go and leave his employment.

It may fizzle out, many of them do.

I'm saying that cheating is 100% on the married person because their commitment is their responsibility. (I hold myself 100% responsible for staying true to my husband; that's one reason I do, because I don't think it's on anyone else and I don't think I'm only half accountable.) And that not all people who have affairs are serial shaggers with the same personality. And that there are other ways to blow up a marriage as well. And that these facts don't make infidelity OK or less wrong or negate anyone's pain.

It's not hard to follow and it's not necessary to have shagged a married man to realise these things. But say them and people's brains just explode.

DampDust · 27/06/2024 07:24

Feckery · 26/06/2024 23:21

What are you actually saying though

It's wrong but it's not wrong.

Who cares, they all hurt when you're on the receiving end.

Op, I think the previous post suggesting Surviving Infedelity would be of help.

No one here can tell you if he is going to stay or remain faithful in the future but if he really wants to stay then this ow must go and leave his employment.

It may fizzle out, many of them do.

Yes it may fizzle out, but who would want them back? It won't be the same.

As soon as @citylady62 sets him free to do what or whoever he wants, he won't want to will he.? No. He will feel he's won the other woman too easily and want to go back. Too late mate.

bananaphon · 27/06/2024 07:40

Cheating is wrong and it's on him not the ow but it's clear you've manipulated him into staying and he's not in love with you. You're in denial that things are getting better.

Janiie · 27/06/2024 07:44

'free’ sex on the side? This is all misogynistic bullshit. '

Why do you keep trying to make this a misogynistic thing? Bits on the side are pathetic whether they are male or female.

If a relationship is failing here's an idea you try and fix it, you talk about it and try to come up with solutions, or separate. Those are the 2 options.. People in relationships are responsible but those unable to find their own dp and jump at the chance of shagging their boss are absolutely complicit.

Bridgertonne · 27/06/2024 07:47

OP concentrate on building a life for yourself, yes you live with your DH but he isn’t your world, you are. Learn to love yourself, see friends and family on your own, plan a solo trip and some days out.
Create a full life for yourself, then you will see you can manage on your own. Even if you end up staying married you’ll know you’d be fine if you split up.
Don’t concentrate on what he has done but on what you want for yourself.

PinkLemonade555 · 27/06/2024 07:56

Janiie · 27/06/2024 07:44

'free’ sex on the side? This is all misogynistic bullshit. '

Why do you keep trying to make this a misogynistic thing? Bits on the side are pathetic whether they are male or female.

If a relationship is failing here's an idea you try and fix it, you talk about it and try to come up with solutions, or separate. Those are the 2 options.. People in relationships are responsible but those unable to find their own dp and jump at the chance of shagging their boss are absolutely complicit.

No one would accuse a man of providing ‘free sex on the side’.

you clearly also have no comprehension of the complexities of life. The OP’s DH and the OW seem to have a more genuine relationship tbh. It’s not been emotionally forced for one thing and based on fear.

in every other similar post I’d be saying the opposite but occasionally things aren’t always entirely stereotypical. You seem very angry though. Not sure why.

Janiie · 27/06/2024 08:12

PinkLemonade555 · 27/06/2024 07:56

No one would accuse a man of providing ‘free sex on the side’.

you clearly also have no comprehension of the complexities of life. The OP’s DH and the OW seem to have a more genuine relationship tbh. It’s not been emotionally forced for one thing and based on fear.

in every other similar post I’d be saying the opposite but occasionally things aren’t always entirely stereotypical. You seem very angry though. Not sure why.

Anyone would also accuse a man of providing sex on the side Confused. That is what bits on the side do, privids free allegedly nsa sex for those in relationships who may be having problems, it is the MO of the 'other person'. Not sure what they get out of it tbh always being no.2 waiting in the shadows to be summoned.

Why do you think the op's dh has a 'genuine relationship' with his fling?! It is based on lies and sneaking about. Not very genuine imo.

After 40yrs of marriage you talk to your dh or dw. You don't go sniffing round whoever is keen to drop their knickers (or underpants) for a a bit of a thrill.

theleafandnotthetree · 27/06/2024 08:14

Bridgertonne · 27/06/2024 07:47

OP concentrate on building a life for yourself, yes you live with your DH but he isn’t your world, you are. Learn to love yourself, see friends and family on your own, plan a solo trip and some days out.
Create a full life for yourself, then you will see you can manage on your own. Even if you end up staying married you’ll know you’d be fine if you split up.
Don’t concentrate on what he has done but on what you want for yourself.

I think it's fair to say that by the sound of it, the OP has had and has a great and free and very privileged life doing a lot of what she pleases and that it is the loss of that which is distressing her as much as anything. She certainly doesn't sound like some put-upon woman who needs to find or love herself or put herself first, far from it.

Janiie · 27/06/2024 08:15

I'm not angry in the slightest just feel incredibly sorry for the op who came for support amd has had people accusing her of abuse and manipulation when she needed help and advice.
So much enabling of lies and deceit. It is depressing to read.

theleafandnotthetree · 27/06/2024 08:16

Janiie · 27/06/2024 08:12

Anyone would also accuse a man of providing sex on the side Confused. That is what bits on the side do, privids free allegedly nsa sex for those in relationships who may be having problems, it is the MO of the 'other person'. Not sure what they get out of it tbh always being no.2 waiting in the shadows to be summoned.

Why do you think the op's dh has a 'genuine relationship' with his fling?! It is based on lies and sneaking about. Not very genuine imo.

After 40yrs of marriage you talk to your dh or dw. You don't go sniffing round whoever is keen to drop their knickers (or underpants) for a a bit of a thrill.

Your writing is as clichéd as your level of understanding of the complexities of life.

PinkLemonade555 · 27/06/2024 08:17

Janiie · 27/06/2024 08:15

I'm not angry in the slightest just feel incredibly sorry for the op who came for support amd has had people accusing her of abuse and manipulation when she needed help and advice.
So much enabling of lies and deceit. It is depressing to read.

Did you actually read the OP’s posts?!?

Janiie · 27/06/2024 08:20

'Your writing is as clichéd as your level of understanding of the complexities of life'

Oh hun did you copy 'complexities of life' from a pp, can't you think of your own comments?

I have a well developed understanding of <checks notes> the complexities of life thanks. Just absolutely no tolerance for all the 'the OW sounds charming and smart you on the other hand sound abusive and manipulative' attacks we've seen spewed out for pages.

sweetnessandlighter · 27/06/2024 09:21

You seem very focused on the material benefits of your relationship.

Gonetoofarthistime · 27/06/2024 10:33

The majority of MM who have affairs especially later in life, are not doing so with the intention of ever leaving their marriage, far from it. They merely want a bit of excitement, extra on the side, it is a mid life crisis - reminding them of their youth and vigour.

The excitement and limerence wears off. If OP's husband was really 'in love' or soulmates with OW - he would have left OP regardless of her mental state or his adult children etc etc.

Why do so many (obviously younger commenters) see it so black and white? That he can't love OP because he's strayed. Stats show 70% of men who have affairs consider they love their spouses and their marriage to be generally happy. Of course we know the script is played out to excuse their behaviour when trying to bed the OW.

The sheer length of the OP's marriage suggests this is the case or their marriage would have ended a long time ago

OP's husband had his head turned by a younger woman, has seen the devastation it has caused to her and the potential impact on their marriage, family and life and woken up. Good for OP she has put some boundaries in place with regards her husband's appalling behaviour. How some commenters consider this 'controlling behaviour' is beyond me.

Of course OP has suffered a great trauma, 40 years of a steady and successful marriage, visions of a happy retirement after a lifetime dedicated to loving and supporting her husband in his career and bringing up their family, possibly at great sacrifice to a career of her own. Any woman would have been floored by this, the mental pain is like no other when the person you love and trust does something so appalling. It is not only the threat of destruction and loss of everything involved in their life but OP's very identity that was threatened.

I feel OP has shown great strength, fortitude and forgiveness in even considering continuing the marriage and if she finds it easier currently to appropriate a higher degree of blame to the OW, so what??

Her husband appears contrite and remorseful, choosing to keep the marriage and I hope through counselling they overcome this blip and go to have a happy retirement.

As for OW apologists and excusists commenting. Whilst the husband is 100% to blame for his conduct, SO IS THE OTHER WOMAN. Really what decent woman actively pursues and gets involved with a married man? What sort of woman would do that to another woman and the family of a man she fancies? A selfish, low esteemed, gullible one with no morals or integrity as far as I can see. She gets no sympathy from me what so ever.

I'm sorry @citylady62 you have received such judgy, unhelpful and quite cruel at times support on your post. Good luck with counselling and if your husband is 100% committed to reconciliation please be kind to him and not use his indiscretion as a stick to beat him forever more. You have to be 100% committed to moving forward positively too.

MenopauseSucks · 27/06/2024 10:45

He tried to end the marriage last year but the OP threatened suicide so he stayed.
Maybe the OW was on the horizon or perhaps he just wanted out.
He told the OP that he no longer loved her & he wasn't allowed to end the marriage due to her threats.
The marriage is over.
He wants out & is staying due to the OP's threats of suicide.

TurtleCavalryIsSeriousShit · 27/06/2024 11:05

@EasternEcho I agree with you.

And to add, the whole op smacked of someone who has browbeaten her husband into the 'quiet, introverted' person she so loves.

Any controlling, emotionally blackmailing abuser will not want their life to change after 40 years. Imagine this was a man writing this about a woman??

Being cheated on is absolutely shit. But if you had treated your partner like shit for 40 years (and I know I'm reading into things here, but that is what I'm getting from it) then what do you expect?

I genuinely feel sorry for the DH.

NonPlayerCharacter · 27/06/2024 11:08

OP, have you told him that if he wants to leave then the door is open and you won't kill yourself or try to stop him in any way?

That's really the only way to know whether he's staying because he truly wants to. I'm not clear from your posts whether you've done that.

You also need to be sure that you can trust him not to stray again because despite what anyone says about blaming the OW, she actually has no power here. That's why it's on him; because it doesn't matter what she wants and is willing to do, it's a non issue until he decides to join her. And if you can't trust him, then it doesn't matter who the OW is; the point is, he's not committed, he is a cheating risk and that's the issue.

That's also why it's a red herring to go after the OW. If you felt reassured and secure about his commitment, you wouldn't give a toss about her.

Have you told him that if he wants to leave, he is free to go?

Feckery · 27/06/2024 11:09

MenopauseSucks · 27/06/2024 10:45

He tried to end the marriage last year but the OP threatened suicide so he stayed.
Maybe the OW was on the horizon or perhaps he just wanted out.
He told the OP that he no longer loved her & he wasn't allowed to end the marriage due to her threats.
The marriage is over.
He wants out & is staying due to the OP's threats of suicide.

He's currently triangulating two different women, both of them playing the pick me dance, his ego will be out of control.

This is a possition his long standing wife should not be in.

If he wanted to he would leave, I mean he's already had the balls to tell op he didn't love her last year and he's had an affair, why not go the next step and have the balls to leave, tell the kids and start again. Her threats mean nothing to him, it's not like he cares about her mental health is it.

He's a selfish wanker whose got carried away with his own self importance.

Personally I would blow it up and tell the family, kick him out and let him deal with those circumstances, instead of protecting his reputation. This will put the relationship back on an equal footing.

His adult kids ain't going to be happy that he'll be halving their inheritance for some opportunistic ow, he'll be hated they arn't going to be pleased he's done this at their mother's stage in life whereby she'd find it hard to find another companion.

I suppose the problem discussing these things with ow is that many of them will not ever be in a possition to have endured long standing marriages. Love takes on a different meaning, it's not hearts and flowers, it's loyalty, duty, care and respect, it's safety.

Op felt very unsafe.

NonPlayerCharacter · 27/06/2024 11:15

Personally I would blow it up and tell the family, kick him out and let him deal with those circumstances, instead of protecting his reputation. This will put the relationship back on an equal footing.

I'm not saying OP must definitely not do that, but it won't equalise the relationship, it'll destroy it completely!

PinkLemonade555 · 27/06/2024 11:16

Feckery · 27/06/2024 11:09

He's currently triangulating two different women, both of them playing the pick me dance, his ego will be out of control.

This is a possition his long standing wife should not be in.

If he wanted to he would leave, I mean he's already had the balls to tell op he didn't love her last year and he's had an affair, why not go the next step and have the balls to leave, tell the kids and start again. Her threats mean nothing to him, it's not like he cares about her mental health is it.

He's a selfish wanker whose got carried away with his own self importance.

Personally I would blow it up and tell the family, kick him out and let him deal with those circumstances, instead of protecting his reputation. This will put the relationship back on an equal footing.

His adult kids ain't going to be happy that he'll be halving their inheritance for some opportunistic ow, he'll be hated they arn't going to be pleased he's done this at their mother's stage in life whereby she'd find it hard to find another companion.

I suppose the problem discussing these things with ow is that many of them will not ever be in a possition to have endured long standing marriages. Love takes on a different meaning, it's not hearts and flowers, it's loyalty, duty, care and respect, it's safety.

Op felt very unsafe.

Yes nothing says loyalty, duty, care and respect like sleeping with someone else.

It’s a sham. You want to make out like the marriage has a certain status that it just doesn’t have.

PrincessMee · 27/06/2024 11:19

citylady62 · 26/06/2024 21:23

I'm shocked at so many of these responses. I was completely broken when my DH first told me he thought he didn't love me anymore. I thought we were inseparable and still feel in love with him. I just couldn't cope hence the thoughts of suicide. To me this was all out of the blue and just at the point I thought we'd be planning our retirement trips. Well we're still together. I guess he too must've believed that the future felt more right committing to me and our family rather than the OW. My main reason for posting was the seek solidarity with other women in their 60s whose marriages have been threatened by an affair and also to ask if anyone's husband, having chosen to commit to their wife after an affair at this sort of age changed their minds having initially committed to make the marriage work having come clean about an affair.

Well yes mine did. He begged and cried to stay then after a few years he went off with her again and is now married to her. I know several women who have stayed in their marriages for a variety of reasons eg "no other woman is getting what I have invested years in" or for other security. I know one who was financially screwed over by her ex who is now married to OW because she didn't want a divorce and tried to delay for so long giving him ample opportunity to cook the books. These things happen all the time. I knew a man who on the day he retired came home and told his wife he was leaving her. He had had a mistress who used to travel with him on work. There is no end to these shocking stories and yes it is shocking. There are no guarantees for you - whether he will stay or decide to go. Therefore you have to decide what you need. I am more than happily remarried now. I thank god that he left as he was a miserable fuck. Like you initially I panicked and thought I want to keep my marriage. It's a natural reaction.

Feckery · 27/06/2024 11:28

sweetnessandlighter · 27/06/2024 09:21

You seem very focused on the material benefits of your relationship.

Nah, it's the ow who's in for the cash and financial security.

Bet she's younger.

BlackStrayCat · 27/06/2024 11:31

She is in her mid 50s FFS.
She has her own money I imagine.
Just divorced: no way will she want to get married again.