Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Smooshface · 04/08/2025 08:00

You need to start getting advice on divorce, especially if he's already been looking as you want to get the best divorce people working for you and they can't do that if he talks to them first.

He has done none of the work to build trust after infidelity - he should be telling the truth and giving you access to all of his communication immediately. As he hasn't, he isn't serious about fixing things, he wants to continue his affair and is doing everything he can to protect that relationship.

You will never trust him again, never. And nor should you. Please stop wasting time and money. You have done all you can to save this relationship, he's not meeting you halfway, get your ducks in a row. You tried your best and are in no way to blame for this.

Allthegoodonesareg0ne · 04/08/2025 10:30

rosamundos · 28/07/2025 22:06

I've got a messaged typed and ready for the husband, but figure I'll get more out of it if it remains a threat. If we divorce, I'll send it the day the financial order is signed.

I would tell him op. When my dh had an affair with a colleague I got in touch with her husband straight away. It was so helpful. Between us we were able to put the full story together and thanks to him I was able to get copies of many of their messages. It also means their bubble of secrecy and fantasy is well and truly burst.
From experience I also really recommend taking control of the situation yourself. When my husband was 'unsure' what he wanted I told him to leave. He was really angry about that at first but it was the key thing in getting back on track. It made me feel back in control, I had to focus on me and the kids, put my big girl pants on and get on with it. It also gave him the shock he needed of what he was losing. It took him 3 days to end things with her fully and ask to come back (I told him not yet, but we could date).
It was by far the best thing I did. Sending lots of love. At the time I honestly didn't know how I was making it through each day, it's hands down the worst thing that's ever happened to me and its impossible to understand until you're there x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread