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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

Husband’s new job & emotional affair

127 replies

rosamundos · 10/06/2025 03:22

Hi bit lost as to what to do next. We recently moved back to the U.K. as we were working abroad (where we had our 3 young children) for several years. Move instigated by DH’s ‘big’ new job, suddenly he became the earner & I ‘stalled’ my career to settle kids into school / move countries etc.

His behaviour the past month has been awful, and I felt in my gut something was up. He denied and denied. Tonight he was out and I checked his laptop - basically revealing (what he claims is) an emotion affair. He was googling divorce, how to handle the fallout of an affair etc.

The affair is with a woman at the new ‘big’ job who he works with on a daily basis. She’s also married with kids. He claims they had a discussion last week, after getting back from a 3 day long company ‘off site’, where they agreed nothing could happen as they didn’t want to risk families. I said I can’t be with him if he continues to work with her. But he says he can’t leave, it’s his dream job, he earns double his previous salary etc. He’s right in that he wouldn’t land anything like this again.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve told him he needs to tell her I know all about it. I will go to her husband if it continues. But he will still see her daily etc. I feel so sad and humiliated and like he’s leading a double life. No idea if it went beyond ‘emotional’, he claims not but I’d say that too (which I said to him). I don’t trust anything he says. I can see myself in a never ending paranoia where I sneak checks at his phone and question everything. If he doesn’t leave the company, what rules does he have to follow to make this even slightly viable?

Sorry. Feeling so confused and sad for my kids. Would appreciate opinions or experience.

OP posts:
SamDeanCas · 10/06/2025 03:36

My, now exdh has an emotional affair, I stayed with him to try and work through it for 3 years (I found out during that time he had, had sex with her). Either way it’s the capacity for deception that did the most damage and I questioned everything after that. He wasn’t completely transparent about what happened and would avoid answering my questions, which meant I never truly felt I could make an informed decision about the relationship based on the truth.

In your case, I couldn’t continue with the relationship unless he did leave the job. It’s up to him to decide what’s more important, his job and earnings or his relationship with you. It really is that simple. This is ALL on him, don’t let him try to turn this on you about ruining the family’s future by insisting he leave his job, or breaking up the family. HE has done this by having an affair. I also think that’s if they’ve been away and stayed overnight they will have had sex, even if it was a work thing.

I’d also want proof he’s told the OW that you know, and do tell her DH. I didn’t do this and it’s something I regret, I tried to be the reasonable wife, but ultimately all it did was protect my dh. You should also tell friends and family too, you need the support and you don’t need to protect him.

At the end of the day this is all his fault and he needs to live by his actions. If this proves too much for him, then he’s shown you that his image, job and money is more important than you are to him. If he was truly sorry and wanted to make amends he go and stack shelves or sweep floors to keep his relationship with you.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 10/06/2025 03:42

I recommend Surviving Infidelity for advice but my two pence:

He's not taking the risk to his marriage seriously, probably because he's in the fog of a fling. The very least he should do is put his family first and get another position but he wants to carry on seeing her.

I would stop discussing it with him as he's being irrational. I would do two things, look into restarting my career and get legal advice on divorce.

PinkPonyClutz · 10/06/2025 04:50

If it has got to the point he’s googling divorce and you give him an ultimatum be very prepared for him to choose the job (and OW) over his family.

Was he remorseful or apologetic?

Is he’still in his probation period? If he refuses to leave his work, tell him you’ll tell them about the relationship and either way, tell her husband. I’m sorry this is happening to you 🩵

Usou · 10/06/2025 05:53

What's the difference between an emotional affair and a crush?

Omeara · 10/06/2025 06:42

I personally wouldn’t want to work it out. However, if you’re not willing to insist he leaves his job then tell the husband of the OW and she might (if they choose to try and save their marriage). It may not work and I’m not even sure I agree with what I’ve said but neither of them have shown any morals so 🤷‍♀️

theansweris42 · 10/06/2025 07:02

Oh these idiots!

I feel for you OP.

Do you really want to stay? He's gagging to cheat.

Let him keep the stupid job so he has money for his children's maintenance and a good divorce settlement for you.

NeedyQuoter · 10/06/2025 07:20

Sorry you're going through this betrayal.
I would have told the husband of the woman with screenshots and evidence so that she hopefully leaves the job and your children continue to benefit financially from their dad's high pay without having confronted your husband so he won't know it's you who exposed them.
Now you've told him, he will know it's you who outted her and might lash out on you if you expose her. He told you he won't leave the job, he knows you know of his affair. He's basically calling your bluff. It's actually put you in an awkward corner now. Can you afford to leave? I don't think he will stop cheating with her or someone elss. So if you can't or won't leave you'll have to look the other way.. it does come at a great emotional cost though.

NeedyQuoter · 10/06/2025 07:52

And why is it on you to place rules? He broke the biggest marriage rule that he agreed on publicly.. if he was genuinely remorseful he would have voluntarily suggested all the rules and ways in which to earn back your trust, why is it on you to draft a new contract of behaviour?! He probably doesn't think you'll go or doesn't mind if you do. My advice is the marriage is over emotionally but legally do what will be best financially for you and the children so get legal advice.

YodasHairyButt · 10/06/2025 08:00

If it’s his dream job, he shouldn’t have put it at risk by having an affair with a co worker. Unless he’s prepared to accept that this is a consequence of decisions HE made and is willing tomove jobs to save his marriage, then do yourself a favour and kick his arse out. You will never have peace of mind again if you stay and it’s just not worth it. Put yourself first, like he did.

Everintroverte · 10/06/2025 08:21

Agree with many others. Unfortunately he has broken your trust and you already don't believe what he has told you. I can understand why he wouldn't want to leave his new job but at this point he should be doing anything and everything to reassure you and keep the marriage going (if that is what he is saying he wants).
I know from experience that I wouldn't be able to stay in this situation. I would be always watching and waiting and feeling paranoid about every work trip away. Trust me that is no way to live your life, you deserve better.

cakeisallyouneed · 10/06/2025 09:37

So sorry OP. Do you have family/friend support? It feels like he is holding all cards. The concern here is you’ve already caught him out in a lie. He denied the affair until you had proof. So you will always doubt what he tells you from now on, e.g. has he really told the OW you know. He’s also googling divorce so could at any point decide to leave you. If you do decide to try and work through it, you need to make yourself financially secure (ducks in a row) so that if at any point you or he walk away, you and your kids won’t be left struggling.

Sometimeinadifferentworld · 10/06/2025 09:48

You really need to seek financial advice ASAP.

If he's googling divorce then yes they have had sex and he is obviously seriously considering breaking up your marriage for this women.

If he's already told you staying in his job is more important than his marriage I don't see how you can salvage the marriage.

Im so sorry OP.

HeChokedOnAChorizo · 10/06/2025 09:54

Usou · 10/06/2025 05:53

What's the difference between an emotional affair and a crush?

A crush is usually one sided, you think of this person a lot and maybe admire them from afar.

An emotional affair is both people participating in it, the effort that goes into texting, meeting up, pouring your emotional energy into this other person, telling them things you should be telling your partner, and generally one step away from being a full on affair.

BlueRin5eBrigade · 10/06/2025 10:01

A man doesn't comtemplate leaving his wife, kids, home, financial security and losing his relationship for someone he hasn't been having sex will. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then ITS A DUCK. Your relationship is done. You can't trust him. He has one leg out of the marriage. The job isn't the issue. The other woman isn't the issue. The issue is your husband. He had the opportunity to cheat and he took. If not this woman there will be another. Unfortunately, he's not a loyal person and he's a cheater.

coachortrain · 10/06/2025 10:02

I think you need legal advice asap but in the meantime I would get him to think about everything that will happen if he goes down the divorce route. So instead of him living in this bubble where he fantasises about being with her, he might not have even considered the practical side of any of this.

Where will he live? Will you sell the house? How much is in his pension pot? Any other investments that are all marital assets. How many overnights will he want the children, school runs, school holidays, Christmas and child maintenance payments. How will this work for him blending two families and her commitment to having her children with her? What if her children despise him? What if in the real world this doesn't work out and he ends up divorced and alone? What if he loses his job if there are any rules in place about relationships in the workplace and if he is in a position of power above her?

All things for him to consider. It isn't like he can just move in with her, and her husband, and their children. So he needs to think carefully about what he is doing right now.

dontcomeatme · 10/06/2025 10:05

HeChokedOnAChorizo · 10/06/2025 09:54

A crush is usually one sided, you think of this person a lot and maybe admire them from afar.

An emotional affair is both people participating in it, the effort that goes into texting, meeting up, pouring your emotional energy into this other person, telling them things you should be telling your partner, and generally one step away from being a full on affair.

Second this. But also, a crush doesn't effect your feelings for your current partner. Emotional affairs definitely do. You remove the emotion from one relationship to put it into a new one. It's soul destroying

dontcomeatme · 10/06/2025 10:06

My OH had an emotional affair with a colleague. I made her change jobs or the marriage was over. It's took 6+ years for us to get 100% trust back. It takes a lot of work but doable if yous want to save the marriage.

PizzaSophiaLoren · 10/06/2025 10:07

theansweris42 · 10/06/2025 07:02

Oh these idiots!

I feel for you OP.

Do you really want to stay? He's gagging to cheat.

Let him keep the stupid job so he has money for his children's maintenance and a good divorce settlement for you.

This is spot on.

He wants her - the shiny new toy.

He’s staying with you - for his own selfish reasons - nothing to do with you.

Don’t hang around waiting for him to cross the line.

Get divorced and set yourself free of him.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 10/06/2025 10:18

" I said I can’t be with him if he continues to work with her. But he says he can’t leave, it’s his dream job"

"I don't know what to do"

Yes you do, you said it just up there. You can't be with him if he continues to work with her. He's made his choice, he's shown you what's most important, and it's not you.

RedJamDoughnut · 10/06/2025 12:04

Tell the husband, he has to know.
It's hard to stay together, you will never forget. Your old relationship is over.
If you both want to stay together it is possible.
What do you want? Take time to remember who you are.

Sauvin · 10/06/2025 12:11

Yeah, if he’s not willing to quit the job then he’s not willing to save the marriage.

BeckyBloom · 10/06/2025 12:33

If you stay, the power is in his hands. You are losing nothing by divorcing as he doesn’t love or respect you. Sorry to be harsh but I’ve been there and it was hell until the house was sold. A cheater rarely changes. Reclaim your life

IsadoraQuagmire · 10/06/2025 12:36

BlueRin5eBrigade · 10/06/2025 10:01

A man doesn't comtemplate leaving his wife, kids, home, financial security and losing his relationship for someone he hasn't been having sex will. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then ITS A DUCK. Your relationship is done. You can't trust him. He has one leg out of the marriage. The job isn't the issue. The other woman isn't the issue. The issue is your husband. He had the opportunity to cheat and he took. If not this woman there will be another. Unfortunately, he's not a loyal person and he's a cheater.

Well they actually do sometimes, as I've had TWO married men with children (2 or 3 each I think) leave their wives "for" me. I wasn't in a relationship with either, just friends. Both had told me they were in love with me (I was surprised both times)
Both rang me to announce they'd left their wives, I was astonished!😄
(Didn't go out with either!)

OchreRaven · 10/06/2025 12:47

The moment he googled divorce it would be over for me. The audacity to have an affair and consider dumping you after everything for a woman he can’t have known that long. No coming back from that. He has it in him. You know that now. He hasn’t shown true remorse so there is no way forward. It will destroy you if you drag it out.

Odiebay · 10/06/2025 13:09

OchreRaven · 10/06/2025 12:47

The moment he googled divorce it would be over for me. The audacity to have an affair and consider dumping you after everything for a woman he can’t have known that long. No coming back from that. He has it in him. You know that now. He hasn’t shown true remorse so there is no way forward. It will destroy you if you drag it out.

Honestly this. No way could I continue in this.. it's a ticking time bomb.
Please get some legal advice before you do anything!