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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

Tell other woman husband of affair

257 replies

Thoroughthought · 22/08/2024 11:33

I don’t really have people around me that I can talk to about this so I’ve decided to try this. I’m still hurting and I can’t move on without a final step of closure.
My husband had an affair two years ago. It lasted for a year and a half and I was blindsided. Found out by chance by my car not matching his phone. Dealing with the gaslighting lying and pain whilst over months discovering that each detail was worse than the version sold to me before. We have three children. The pain caused by my husband is not the reason why I am writing. I am writing because in my learning of this… I read messages that stay with me because of the nasty character of husband but also the woman involved. Hurtful things they shared about me. Discussions about my body, pubic hair, our sex lives, my personal life, work, loss of my baby for example. Messages where she nastily encouraged my husband not to buy me a gift for my birthday (which he agreed with to her but did anyway) and I can’t undo what I’ve read in this catastrophic soul destroying dialogue over the years that I was caring for our young children unknowingly of this deceit. I thought we were happily married and think my husband is a psychopath. On the other woman- I can’t let it go that she had contact with my children and sent them gifts.- some of which I even thanked her for over the phone. The reason why I write this is because whereas I am navigating the storm that is my husband and know he is abusive. I have thought endlessly about how I can get closure and I feel that after so much ruminating…. I know… or at least feel that closure for me, as weird as this seems … please bare with… is that I need to tell the husband/partner of the woman of the affair. I want him to know what she was doing and that it was not just their affair but also the nasty steps taken to unnecessarily cause me (and no doubt him unnecessary humiliation and pain). I’m sure he is not aware. I have battled with this for over two years as my closure because too hurt for words but understand myself better now. Being unable to find a way for full peace. Sometimes the pain of what I read, thrives in me, it’s less now but it cuts deep to think (aside from the obvious with my husband) that a woman exists that attempted to dismantle my children’s lives purposefully, unkindly… pitching my husband against my daughter. I didnt really want to involve myself but I’m set that this is the way I can put this behind me finally- by shifting the messages and affair back to her - where they belong. I want to be truthful with him about the restaurants the coffee shops, the days out, the sexual talk, the degrading of me and him, the meet ups and the fact she became pregnant and had a termination. The reasons for this are- I cannot get over her involvement with my children (phone calls with my young daughter) and the nastiness she put into our lives. I believe it is one thing to have an affair with a man (obviously unacceptable his behavior- but I think it’s a whole different thing to be actively trying to destroy the wife, the children and that is unfortunately what I have read from the messages and contact I have seen - I think of the painful arguments we had where I felt he was being unfair to my daughter- now knowing how these were being spurred by her dialogue that he wasn’t being “tough enough”.. etc She even messaged my husband the week we lost our baby enquiring about my mental health and proposed meeting times in the delicate time after (which were agreed to). I can’t let go of the fact that such nasty people exist in this world and how much she involved herself in my life unbeknownst to me, . Even messages laughing at me and using code phrases to indicate that either I or her husband were around. I feel that for whatever deficiencies I have as a person, I need to throw all of this madness back into her life and, by doing so, out of my head.

is it okay for me to expose affair to her husband so he is better informed?

OP posts:
Raaraathelionrah · 22/08/2024 11:38

So sorry this happened to you . I’m a bit confused - it’s a long message you’ve written. Are you still with your husband? Is she with her husband still? How was she able to have contact with your kids during their affair?
what do you mean that you found out by your phone and car not matching up?

Also yeah absolutely tell her husband - write him a letter or speak in person

Elasticatedtrousers · 22/08/2024 11:44

Why are you still with your husband? I am all for reconciliation with remorseful partners but his level of spite is something I could NEVER forgive.

Also yes, I would tell the husband. He deserves to know. Sorry but there is no way I’d be colluding with this nasty pair in the continued deceit of this man. Tbh I would have done it a LONG time ago!

Noone should be left with this level of personal agency removed from them.

Edited to add, I am so sorry you’re in so much pain. Cutting off your horrible abusive husband will help you heal imho.

Imtryingnottoworry · 22/08/2024 11:46

Yes I'm a bit confused by your post OP but what stands out of it is how absolutely awfully they have behaved and how dreadfully you have been treated.

It isn't clear if you are still with this man and I truly hope you aren't because his behaviour has been unforgivable.

Yes I would tell the OW 's husband.

RatherBeRiding · 22/08/2024 11:46

I wouldn't hesitate.

EscapeTheCastle · 22/08/2024 11:53

I would probably create a ring binder of the printed out evidence with sub sections and dividers. That man needs to know everything.
I am so sorry this happened to you. It must have been awful. I hope healing from this comes to you over time.

ByCupidStunt · 22/08/2024 11:55

I'd tell him in a heartbeat.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 22/08/2024 11:59

I’d tell him too.

Beth216 · 22/08/2024 11:59

I couldn't read it all without paragraphs but I would tell the husband. He deserves to know what his wife was like. Give him evidence though so she can't just deny it.

halfthesun · 22/08/2024 12:05

This is so terrible, what horrible people. I would tell the husband. My best friend had sex with my husband and she phoned me up to tell me. Never spoke to her again and divorced the husband. I am happily re-married some years later and life is good. So I do understand how difficult this must be Daffodil

LogicVoid · 22/08/2024 12:19

Yes, do it.

Lavenderblossoms · 22/08/2024 12:24

If you're still with your husband then please end it. How can you still look at him after he not only had an affair but ripped you to bits in the process?

Also I would absolutely tell her husband. Why should she get away with it? He deserves to make choices about his sexual autonomy.

Sdpbody · 22/08/2024 12:25

I would absolutely tell the OW's husband. I would tell her whole family.

I am also very bitter.

GymClassHeroes · 22/08/2024 12:26

Yes, tell him.

You’ve been through a lot, both your husband and the ow are disgusting excuses for human beings. I hope you find some peace.

StarCourt · 22/08/2024 12:27

I'd tell him, do your family and your husbands family also know?

40andlovelife · 22/08/2024 12:30

I can't believe you haven't told her husband already to be honest.

Turophilic · 22/08/2024 12:33

I disagree - further engaging in this shitstorm is bad for your mental health. I hope to god you kicked the cheating bastard out.

Try access some counselling to help you get your head clear - possibly the 6 weeks sessions through your GP - and focus on a better future for yourself and your children.

That’s a healthier path than further engagement with the cesspit your louse or a DH and that cheating arse of an affair partner created.

HighlandSpring85 · 22/08/2024 12:37

Don't tell him. It'll give them further reason to think you're beneath them.
Walk away with your head held high. I guarantee that despite what she said about you, she will have been wildly jealous of you, if that brings any comfort.
Do not engage further.

Sixpence39 · 22/08/2024 12:54

I'm so sorry you've had to experience this pain! Please tell him. He deserves to know!

SaintHonoria · 22/08/2024 12:56

'that I need to tell the husband/partner of the woman of the affair. I want him to know what she was doing and that it was not just their affair but also the nasty steps taken to unnecessarily cause me (and no doubt him unnecessary humiliation and pain). '

If you do that then you are lower than a snake.

The woman was vile but it's your husband that cheated on you.

All you want to do is inflict your pain on someone else hoping it will make you feel better. It won't.

CJ like you live with yourself if the husband upon hearing all this, took his life?

You need help in moving forward but vengeance is not the answer.

Guavafish1 · 22/08/2024 13:01

Why do you want more drama…

Ditch the husband

Timetoheal4good · 22/08/2024 13:05

They sound utterly evil actually.

Tell the husband.

FastCaar · 22/08/2024 13:05

I think probably you should tell him. Not only for your own reasons but also because he might be unaware of who he's married to. 'Evil' is an emotive term but in this case I think that's a good descriptor for what they did. It was utterly bullying behaviour towards a victim who knew nothing about it. It is the height of cowardice.

halfthesun · 22/08/2024 13:10

I am so glad I was told of my ex's affair. The OW did tell me to hurt me and it did but it meant I knew his true colours and thus could decide whether or not to forgive. Knowledge is power. You will be doing the husband a favour by telling him the truth.

FastCaar · 22/08/2024 13:11

SaintHonoria · 22/08/2024 12:56

'that I need to tell the husband/partner of the woman of the affair. I want him to know what she was doing and that it was not just their affair but also the nasty steps taken to unnecessarily cause me (and no doubt him unnecessary humiliation and pain). '

If you do that then you are lower than a snake.

The woman was vile but it's your husband that cheated on you.

All you want to do is inflict your pain on someone else hoping it will make you feel better. It won't.

CJ like you live with yourself if the husband upon hearing all this, took his life?

You need help in moving forward but vengeance is not the answer.

This response displays a lack of understanding of the OP's post. It is not vengeance the OP seeks.

Cuppa2sugars · 22/08/2024 13:24

i would leave your husband and then i would tell the husband of the OW, give proof, He will thank you for it.

Similar happened to a friend of mine. And being told when you’re in the dark helps a lot.