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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

Suspect husband of cheating

569 replies

TheWarySwan · 23/03/2025 22:04

Hi ladies,

My husband has recently expressed lots of dissatisfaction in our marriage. He has told me he is contemplating leaving and won't tell me where I stand. I agree with some of his reasons as to why he is unhappy, however, not all. The problems are all things that can be worked on if both sides make the effort. No cheating (on my part anyway).

Since he has told me all of this (2 months ago) his behaviour has changed COMPLETELY. He used to be the most kind, caring and compassionate person I knew. Now he is a complete stranger. New behaviour:

  • Glued to phone
  • Avoiding me as much as possible
  • Going to bed early
  • Going out on an evening late on to the gym or other.
  • Purposefully starting arguments with me to ensure distance.
  • He's totally changed how he is around me. He has no empathy, doesn't care if I'm upset, insults me, criticises me and is constantly punishing me for whatever he thinks I've done wrong in our marriage.
  • Constantly angry, irritable and impatient.
  • Less patient than normal with our young children.

I can understand some of his new behaviours could be as a result of the position we find ourself in within our marriage, but I can't shake the feeling that he could be being unfaithful. It feels as though he is being mean to me to keep me at arms length for a reason.

I'm just looking for opinions or if anybody has been in a similar position before? He's currently making me feel as though all of the problems within our marriage are my fault and that's why he is being the way he is with me. I am not convinced.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks x

OP posts:
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TheWarySwan · 23/04/2025 22:51

I don't really have anybody that can stay with me during this time.

My family all live 4 hours away and have spent a fair bit of time with us recently so have work commitments they need to attend to. I have friends where I live but they all have their own busy lives/families so I don't like to burden them too much.

I am genuinely scared of this man. I don't know who this person is. He is a loose cannon and I have no idea what I'm going to get. He used to be my safe space and I trusted him with everything.

We had been messaging about finances for payday as I needed to ensure there would be enough to cover the regular joint commitments I.e mortgage etc. He gave me a figure of what he thinks our bills come to, which was way below what they actually are. I went back to say that they are more and suggested he doesn't try to pull the wool over my eyes. I work in banking and I look at people's income and expenditure on a daily basis. I went back with the accurate figure of what needed to be covered. He came back to try to tell me my figure is incorrect and told me it's funny how I make a living doing what I do and I still can't get it right. This has made me incredibly sad as he always used to tell me how proud he was of me and my career. To belittle me like this about that is like a knife to the heart. Did I even know this man at all.

OP posts:
Smilesinthesunshine · 24/04/2025 00:37

I am so sorry op, this must be such a terrifying time for you. Please ensure that everything goes through your solicitor and that everything is documented. It really would be best to limit contact now and just go through the legal route. I know that must be hard as you must desperately want to have that contact with him and to make him see sense. Sadly his head has been turned and it is not to be. Sending you love and strength, you will come out of this as a stronger and much better person than he can ever hope to be. He will most likely end up sad, lonely and full of regrets.

Dexterrolledoffthesofa · 24/04/2025 06:40

Does he have access to bank statements? Surely he can see how much the bills are? Just keep all your dealings with him transactional from now on. If you haven’t already, send him the bank statements (redacted if necessary to hide the account balance if he doesn’t have access to it) to prove the payments. You sound pretty switched on in this regard though, so you probably have.
And where possible, deal with him via email and create a folder just for this purpose, so that any evidence you may need is quick and easy to find.
You have to fight fire with fire, my darling.
You’ve got this - you have the nest of vipers right behind you, rooting for you.

schtompy · 24/04/2025 08:24

It’s horribly sad and confusing when they turn like this, I had it for 5 months, before he decided he was sorry (not sorry enough to say it or talk to my face) but when you’re in it, your head feels like it’s going to explode. You’ve trusted them with everything and then they royally poop on you from above.
Get a bit angry, that helps get through this chapter. I suggest you call your solicitor and tell them this is happening. If you need to, list the household outgoings and send them to him.
Also try and get out walking, yoga or swimming, something daily if possible, some you time, just for an hour if you can, clear your head, get away from the house where it’s all manifesting. It does help.

ChersHandbag · 24/04/2025 08:32

Ditto, I’ve had it too. He has decided to leave the logical world behind and do a form of gaslighting that is maddening in this sort of situation. I’ve been there and payed the price too.

The only direction is onward now. I used to call this ‘going through the asteroid belt’ because it really felt like it. Batten down the hatches, helmet on, you’ve got this.

From the other side things are very different. He will no longer seem your safe person, but not frightening either. You will rebuild.

Tartanboots · 24/04/2025 12:28

That's so sad. I can see why you feel scared. I felt like I was under siege at times. I remember I went to center parcs for a weekend with the kids and it was such a relief to be behind the gates! No phone signal either, it was such a relief.
Can you chat to the police, your local PCSO would be able to tell you what your options are and what to do if he barges in, won't leave, abuses you etc. They can be surprisingly helpful and it's good to have it on record.
It's pathetic that he doesn't know what the bills are. Shows that you've been doing it all!

Beastiesandthebeauty · 24/04/2025 12:42

TheWarySwan · 23/04/2025 22:51

I don't really have anybody that can stay with me during this time.

My family all live 4 hours away and have spent a fair bit of time with us recently so have work commitments they need to attend to. I have friends where I live but they all have their own busy lives/families so I don't like to burden them too much.

I am genuinely scared of this man. I don't know who this person is. He is a loose cannon and I have no idea what I'm going to get. He used to be my safe space and I trusted him with everything.

We had been messaging about finances for payday as I needed to ensure there would be enough to cover the regular joint commitments I.e mortgage etc. He gave me a figure of what he thinks our bills come to, which was way below what they actually are. I went back to say that they are more and suggested he doesn't try to pull the wool over my eyes. I work in banking and I look at people's income and expenditure on a daily basis. I went back with the accurate figure of what needed to be covered. He came back to try to tell me my figure is incorrect and told me it's funny how I make a living doing what I do and I still can't get it right. This has made me incredibly sad as he always used to tell me how proud he was of me and my career. To belittle me like this about that is like a knife to the heart. Did I even know this man at all.

You're reaction ' please refrain from personal insults towards me, they will not be tolerated. We have adult issues to resolve in relation to our previously shared life, let's stick to keep it factual and productive'

TheWarySwan · 24/04/2025 13:43

When will it feel easier in terms of not mourning the marriage/relationship?

I feel like I want to cry all the time. I miss the family unit and can't stop thinking of all of our memories. I'm so broken.

OP posts:
OchreRaven · 24/04/2025 14:38

You are grieving. It’s going to take a while to find peace and acceptance with what has happened. You are still in the middle of the storm.

Find your anger for the way you have been treated. Use that anger to show him what he has missed out on. Put all your energy and time into yourself and your children. Setting yourselves up for the life you deserve. Eventually that anger will turn to apathy towards your H. At that point you will be living your best life for you.

In time you will be back on MN helping others going through similar situations and telling them there is a fulfilling life the other side. It might be different from the life you thought you would have and it’s ok to mourn that but you will move on from this.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 24/04/2025 14:43

@TheWarySwan have read many threads on here where the OP does come through it but it takes time and while all of this aggravation is going on, it’s tough to see light at the end of the tunnel.
You aren’t broken, although you may feel it.
You have been betrayed and let down, and left feeling confused.
You still have your DC and will make your own unique memories in the future.
The man you thought you loved didn’t exist now, sadly. He’s become someone else to justify leaving.
Do not let him steal any more from you. If you want to see that light at the end of the tunnel, lean into your strength. Find your anger. Do not allow him to abuse you further.
Once you find that strength you will feel
a shift. Don’t mourn this man any more.
Having watched one of my oldest friends go through this, I was very concerned. We all thought we’d lost her.
Her ex has had a series of relationships since.
My friend took time, but in time she slowly came around. She got married again to the most wonderful man 15 years ago. She is like a different person now.

Lifeislove · 24/04/2025 15:00

TheWarySwan · 24/04/2025 13:43

When will it feel easier in terms of not mourning the marriage/relationship?

I feel like I want to cry all the time. I miss the family unit and can't stop thinking of all of our memories. I'm so broken.

It varies from person to person but, for me it was about 3 years (aged 59 on D Day and 37 years together).
I realise now I was mourning many things but the biggest was the dashed dreams of a comfortable retirement / grandparent household/ financial comfort / what I thought was my 'soul mate'. I had grief for my liost dreams.

My exes cheating destroyed me from the inside out but even I didn't know that at the time (nor others).

if you can face reading (they're easy reads) these 2 books changed my life and I look back and know I did the right thing for me.
FWIW, the OW didn't last with my ex and she dumped him 20 months after I asked him to leave (18 month affair ) and he sniffed around a bit after but by then, I had no co-dependency for him any longer, no shared life and our adult DC and the GC are all fine with the situation.

The harsher blunt responses here come from anger. But there's plenty of anecdotal from those us who've lived similar.

Also, the living 2 people (but in diff ways) is all very Esther Perel and easy to intellectualise but I'd not read her stuff yet.

I too was frozen in fear and emotional pain for a long time, it was almost physical but our minds shut down some emotions to cope and then others automatically shut down as well so the frozen in fear, clutching at straws is normal for a while.
i advise telling people close to you ( I didn't for a long time as I had shame that it was 'my fault for not being enough' etc.

i attach images of both books

Suspect husband of cheating
Suspect husband of cheating
Lifeislove · 24/04/2025 16:03

@TheWarySwanalso infidelity PTSD is definitely a thing. Often extreme weight loss, fear, unable to function and so on. Extreme grief can make us feel physically ill too.
Chump lady also does a great Podcast called Tell me that your mighty that may be helpful at this stage. I personally, am not a huge fan of her blog/ website (though her book saved my soul quite literally )but it's worth a look as some find it equally as helpful.

Tartanboots · 24/04/2025 16:27

TheWarySwan · 24/04/2025 13:43

When will it feel easier in terms of not mourning the marriage/relationship?

I feel like I want to cry all the time. I miss the family unit and can't stop thinking of all of our memories. I'm so broken.

Everyone processes grief differently, it's a similar length of time as recovery from a bereavement I think. So be kind to yourself.
I still miss the family unit sometimes 8 years on, though it was completely dysfunctional really, and I am far happier than I was when I was in it! And a much better mother as I can do it my own way without interference. It's just being different from my peers that still brings it up for me, 20 year wedding anniversaries etc that I'll not have now, well probably not anyway..
The shock side of it soon wears off though and you'll realise you are pretty much coping ok in spite of everything. That will give you a massive confidence boost.

ZiggaZigAh · 24/04/2025 17:12

Op, it sounds like you thought you had the perfect family / husband - and this is feeling so awful because you didn’t ask for this, and where you are now feels infinitely worse than what you had before; your happiness has been taken away and you can’t understand it.
But if you can - and possibly through counselling - can you perhaps look with fresh eyes at your life ‘before’? This is particularly hard because not only your known future but also your known past has gone.

But understanding your past from the perspective that it perhaps wasn’t quite what you thought it was - while deeply painful and unnerving could really free you to let go of it.

I’d start with how scared you feel of him now - your fear of him worries me. I suspect it’s either because you don’t feel you know him anymore so have no idea the lengths he’ll go to, and to what end, or because you do know him you have an idea of what he’s capable of but have never had that directed at you before.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 24/04/2025 18:53

I like the writer Rosie Green. She felt she had the picture perfect marriage. 26 years in, her husband walked out one day.
She documented it all in her column and the first months were awful to read about.
She wrote this two years later. Hope it helps.

www.redonline.co.uk/wellbeing/sex-relationships/a35677424/rosie-green-divorce/

TheWarySwan · 26/04/2025 19:15

Solicitor has emailed him a test email to check they have the right email address. Once he acknowledges the test email, they will send him my letter with the childcare proposals on.

He asked to see the children this weekend (he messaged at 9am this morning), by this point we have already made plans as it is such short notice. Do you think this is reasonable?

I went back to him to say I need to know his new address and for him to acknowledge the solicitor email in order to move forward. He said the email had gone into his junk folder so he hadn't seen it...

He is annoyed as initially we had agreed not to go down the legal route. We did agree this but this was before he has shown me that he can't be trusted and has zero respect for me. I feel he showed me that we can't work together when he said he would take my kids away from me.

OP posts:
WellINeverrr · 26/04/2025 20:15

He doesn't want you going down the legal route because it means it'll be harder for him to bully you. It's absolutely awful and blindsiding when you realise that the person you thought you knew isn't really that person at all. It shakes you to your core. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Clarabell77 · 26/04/2025 20:44

TheWarySwan · 23/03/2025 22:15

It is really difficult as I still want to remain married and would like to try to make it work. I can't work out if he is taking time to process things and work out what he wants or if he is just waiting for the opportune moment to leave...

Neither of those things are a basis for continuing the relationship, and added to that he’s being horrible to you. I’d get one step ahead of him and leave or ask him to.

LurkyMcLurkinson · 26/04/2025 20:53

It’s absolutely not acceptable to expect to arrange contact with a child with that little notice. The children need routine, stability, structure etc during this period of change.

Clarabell77 · 26/04/2025 20:55

I’m sorry, I just replied to an earlier post, thought this was a new thread and hadn’t read the rest of your posts. What a horrible person, none of his behaviour is acceptable, his attitude towards you is a disgrace, you’ll get through this, wishing you all the best 💐

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 26/04/2025 20:56

You sound a little bit stronger. Well done.
Yep he can’t bully you if there is a solicitor involved.
Keep going you have done so well today!

FarFromtheMadders · 26/04/2025 21:12

He’s taking the piss if he thinks he can just let you know in the morning he wants to see them - presumably his girlfriend was busy. Tell him you want a regular schedule - tell him what that would be.
You’ve sent him a strong signal appointing a solicitor - it will piss him off as he will see he can’t keep up this bullying behaviour. But equally, he might realise he can’t walk all over you. It doesn’t mean it’ll be easier, but he was never going to make this easy unless you rolled over, took all the blame and agreed to take less than your entitield to. At least this way you’ll get what you and your kids need to start a new life 💛
Keep going.

TheWarySwan · 26/04/2025 22:23

Thank you for all the kind and helpful responses.

I do feel a little stronger. I still feel terrified of what he will do next but at least I have someone fighting my corner for me now.

OP posts:
abracadabra1980 · 27/04/2025 07:03

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I could have written your post, almost word for word, albeit many years ago. I felt the same as you, my worries and concerns were the same, my exH's behaviour, dare I say it, was almost a carbon copy of yours, with a few despicable twists thrown in here and there. I couldn't see the wood from the trees at the time (my DC were both under 3). My exH was so arrogant, he actually thought it was ok to write to my solicitor, telling him he wasn't performing his job 'legally' with respect to our children, with regard to [insert which ever Children's Act he chose to quote at the time]. He was an intelligent professional, but Law was not his subject. My solicitor was the owner/partner in the practice and said he had never encountered anyone behaving in such a bizarre manner before, as it was clear he had a) no knowledge of such legalities and b) was actually discrediting himself by contacting the 'other side's' legal representative. He kept sacking his own solicitors (I suspect because they were telling him things he simply wouldn't accept - he despised being told what to do), however mine was an absolute rock and I know he dropped some charges for me at times because of the sheer amount of expense my exH was creating.
I'm out the other side of the horror of this type of family break up, and I also remarried 10 years down the line. Sadly, it didn't work out for very different reasons, however we have remained on friendly terms for years, and proves not everyone behaves like a maniac when relationships break down. My DC are now early 20's and have been high achievers at Uni. They are both now living with their DP's independently in their own homes, and are extremely emotionally well balanced individuals.
I almost moved to the other side of the country when we divorced, as I just wanted to run away from him and any association to him and the life we once had, but I forced myself to think of my DC and their lives, and they still deserved to have access (and an untarnished image of their dad) where I could manage to deal with it. So I stayed locally, and managed to co-parent with many, many difficult incidents being dealt with by my solicitor even post-divorce. I bit my lip and the DC knew almost nothing of their dad's behaviour, however as adults, I eventually explained what had gone on, and although saddened by this, they have processed it and I have always managed to maintain to the kids that whatever he did to me, was not a reflection of his love for them. It killed me to 'support' him in this manner, but I did it for them. He always supported the DC financially; it was just me that was the target of his financial and emotional spite, all, looking back, to justify his own affair and behaviour. Yes, he cheated on the OW, and it later transpired that he was dabbling with drugs, too, which may have accounted for the mood swings I had to deal with. He without doubt had a mid life crisis, and quite a severe one at that.
In a nutshell, I am now semi retired, financially secure, I have a lovely home, and potter about with my dogs and cat, stress free, answerable to nobody. The freedom and peace of mind that gives me, is something I could simply never have envisioned during my grief. To think that one person, could have caused me all that utter distress seems unfathomable now. I was perfectly content BEFORE I met him, and so it reasoned that I could be perfectly content AFTER he had gone - it sometimes takes many years to realise this, but one day you will. Wishing you and your children all the best, OP.

LeilaLandi · 27/04/2025 08:00

Feel for you. Such a hard time. Well done for keeping things going for the children whilst navigating this shock.

Maybe think of it this way. If you’d done what he’s done would you be acting like he is and how would he be reacting to you? It’s not acceptable and he wouldn’t accept it.

Look out for you, don’t accept unreasonable behaviour and communication. He’s been off doing his thing whilst holding you to ransom about money and rude dictatorial messages about seeing the children?! And worst of all upsetting your little girl.

Just no, Mr.

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