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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

Am I paranoid

43 replies

MsSheppy · 16/07/2024 11:11

My husband and I have been married 7 years. I've never had concerns about him cheating. He's always said he hasn't got time for it, doesn't agree with it, what's the point, if he people are unhappy they should leave the relationship blah blah blah. This is my attitude also.

I've never been jealous or paranoid about him cheating until a few weeks ago. I've never been like that in any relationship.

A few weeks ago we'd had an argument about something and nothing. I can't remember what about. He said I feel you don't want me here. It was what he said in that argument that made me think something is off. He said " if you don't want me here, then tell me now, while I still have time" I said what a strange thing to say. Still have time for what exactly? He said. " While I'm still young enough to move on and have a life"

I said no more and moved on. But this really stuck in my head. I've been quietly observing since. I've carried on as normal and not mentioned anything about it.

For quite a while now he stays up late. This isn't new. We don't go to bed together anymore and there's not really any intimacy. On my behalf it's because I'm tired and fast asleep when he's going to bed.

This morning I had a text on my phone from him. Which was obviously sent accidentally to me. It said "boo, going to the beach" I dunno if it was a question? We don't live near any beach. I'm just so confused? He has also took his phone to bed every single night. This is a new thing. Like me, he'd usually leave it in the living room and charge overnight. He's not been going out anywhere. But I m thinking he is talking to another woman.

OP posts:
CosyLemur · 21/07/2024 09:53

MsSheppy · 17/07/2024 11:45

So I asked him last night if he was talking to other women. He did get really angry and hardly spoke to me for the rest of the night. I obviously expected him to deny it. But I don't know what to think.

I'd be angry too if you asked me - you clearly don't love him and you want an excuse to leave that doesn't make it look like it's your fault!

You checked out of the marriage long ago!

CosyLemur · 21/07/2024 09:55

MsSheppy · 16/07/2024 18:48

Asking him to be celibate? Thats 100% not the case. He's choosing to stay up all hours. If he chooses to stay up all night doing whatever, that's his choice. I'm not here to pleasure him on tap. I'm his wife, not a piece of meat.

No you're not there to pleasure him on tap - but surely you can't be tired 24/7? Just admit you don't love him anymore and move out!

Shuzzazall · 22/07/2024 06:22

Classic 7 year itch, you have to make a call about whether you lean into your marriage, both make an effort to be kind and love each other. Love is a verb - it’s active, how do you show him you love him? How does he show he loves you?) Very normal to be tired but if you both don’t make an effort, chances are someone does look elsewhere to get needs met. Can you get some date nights in?

Beckypl · 22/07/2024 07:55

Sorry can’t not say but don’t leave your phone on charge overnight op it’s a massive fire hazard.

In regards to your DH his reactions are quite defensive.

BananaLambo · 22/07/2024 08:02

Is he happy with the lack of intimacy or have you imposed it on him? If so, then you are clearly telling him that are just flatmates and it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that he’s thinking about moving on and meeting other people. Counselling might be a good first step to either get the relationship back on track or consider going your separate ways.

Feelingmentallyunsettled · 22/07/2024 08:19

I'm quite perplexed by the way some pp are making digs at OP. Accusing her of imposing celibacy on him, telling her she should be the one making the effort to please him.

As OP says , he is the one staying up really late. It's his choice. If he wanted sex, if he wanted intimacy, then he could make the effort to come to bed at an earlier time on at least some nights. It takes 2 people to work on a marriage and yet some pp are putting all the onus on OP.

And yes his behaviour does suggest he is talking to another woman.

leeverarch · 22/07/2024 18:20

beanii · 20/07/2024 18:25

If there's no intimacy in the relationship, you go to bed separately then it's a perfectly reasonable question from your husband to be honest.

Why are you still together, aside from habit?

It's his choice to stay up late and not go to bed until the OP is asleep.

Desmodici · 22/07/2024 18:36

'The beach' sounds like a code for somewhere (a pub or a park, perhaps) if it's highly unlikely to be an actual beach.

I'd be pretty suspicious, OP. And I've learned to trust my gut instincts - they've always been right. I understand your need for proof, though.

Is he aware he sent you that beach text? If not, when face to face with him, suggest going to 'the beach' with him, and watch his face.

BengalGal · 22/07/2024 19:14

That text is a huge red flag. I’d snoop. Then confront. Or confront and demand the phone. If he won’t give it to you you know. It’s not crazy when he’s calling someone else boo!!

BengalGal · 22/07/2024 19:16

Getting angry when you ask - guilty!

GingerPirate · 22/07/2024 19:59

If I was him (young enough) I get out and get a life ...

Emmaheather · 22/07/2024 22:12

As someone who has been there, I would encourage you to listen to your instincts. So many red flags. Don't ignore them or doubt yourself. Hope you are doing ok.

UKposter · 23/07/2024 09:02

Has anything improved? Could you have counselling to try to understand why he’s not coming to bed? There could be other reasons.

TraceyHyde · 23/07/2024 10:54

Never leave your phone charging overnight. You could burn the house down

put a tracker on his keys or phone. Just tell him it’s for in case he loses his keys or phone and needs to find them.
also if the trust is gone the marriage is gone unless you’re both going to work on it 🤷🏼‍♀️

BeckiBoBecki · 23/07/2024 23:44

MsSheppy · 16/07/2024 18:48

Asking him to be celibate? Thats 100% not the case. He's choosing to stay up all hours. If he chooses to stay up all night doing whatever, that's his choice. I'm not here to pleasure him on tap. I'm his wife, not a piece of meat.

Do you ever instigate sex?

Aquamarine1029 · 23/07/2024 23:50

He doesn't use social media.

How can you possibly know that? I bet he's been doing a lot things you have no idea about.

Feelingmentallyunsettled · 24/07/2024 00:05

BeckiBoBecki · 23/07/2024 23:44

Do you ever instigate sex?

And are you also going to ask if her DH ever instigates sex?

LlamaLoopy · 24/07/2024 08:01

You can see anything when looking - talk to him!

the message is enough to open the conversation …. I would straight away have said ‘so surprising me with a trip to the beach today, how lovely!’ And seen his reaction!
when he (no doubt) explained it was for someone else I would have started the conversation about ‘us’.

burying your head in the sand waiting for ‘enough’ evidence is not helpful to anyone and will just breed more problems

and the ‘whole young enough’ comment …. I knew what he meant as soon as I read it.
there are other thoughts here which suggests he might have more concerns than you are recognising about your relationship (as oppose to because he is cheating) , how old are you both? How long were you together before being married? Were you ‘first loves’? Are you aligned on your future plan together?

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