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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

If your husband/wife was cheating on you, how did you find out?

96 replies

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:09

A woman, visibly upset, knocked on my door earlier today and asked if I was ‘my name’ - I got the feeling she knew I was who she thought I was anyway. She handed me a letter and told me to check my Facebook messenger in half an hour. She said that there were things in the letter about my husband, of 21 years. She was visibly shaking and spoke with an accent that wasn’t local. Looked about late 40’s/early 50’s and well presented. Younger than me, I’m 60.

I am in total shock. So much so, I just can’t seem to believe it but, deep down, I know it’s true. I was alone at the time (wfh part time). My husband is younger than me, by 7 years, and is a police officer (was at work at the time). I’d stayed upstairs since he got home saying I had a headache but I just don’t know what to do. He is currently on night shift at work. He also does a lot of sport so is often out doing that.

The letter has accused my husband of an affair with this woman. She has said that they met on a site many years ago! Wtf! What started as a friendship, quickly became more. She lives a couple of hundred miles away but they have met up many, many times. For sex and he has taken her here there and everywhere in his car for days out. She says he has spent many hours chatting to her late at night. I have never heard anything but I do go to bed early (we have had a sexless marriage for a number of years). She says sorry, many times, but that she fell in love with him. Her marriage had been lonely (which she ended after getting involved with my husband!!!!) and it just happened! She went on top give examples of when they’d met (where/when) and dates. I thought he was at work!!! He had ended it a few times but came back repeatedly (messing with her head). I just can’t take this in!! She has said he strung her along and, once she’d lost everything (marriage, home etc) he just decided to tell her he wasn’t going to contact her anymore as he felt he was messing with her head!!

A message came through Facebook from her, obviously, with what was a fake name. She has sent evidence. Photos - voice recordings (it’s definitely him, it’s definitely inside our house). Even a pic of him at a hotel. Definitely points to an affair (voice messages tell me that). She said he’d told her he wasn’t attracted to me and had wanted to leave the marriage (she’d believed this). This has being going on for years! She also told me he had been chatting to women online for our entire marriage and had met someone else, before her, a few times (for sex). He ended it. She said he has expressed guilt but carried on doing it, as did she.

She had discovered where we lived and knew my name.

What the hell do I do?? I don’t have any family and we don’t have any children. I have just reduced my hours at work!! I’m absolutely sick to my stomach (and in shock). It looks like he has befriended this woman and used her. He’s obviously using me too!!

Has this happened to anyone else?

I will admit, our marriage is more like a friendship now and I am overweight so maybe he doesn’t find me attractive. 😢

OP posts:
LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:13

There are also phone records. It’s his number.

OP posts:
LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:16

Sorry, he was out doing his sport stuff this morning. I can’t think straight!

OP posts:
musicalfrog · 13/09/2025 06:20

Sounds from her behaviour like she was lied to as well. What a complete prick. Sorry OP.

SoScarletItWas · 13/09/2025 06:21

Is your question really ‘how did you find out’ or do you mean ‘how do I start to divorce this cheating scumbag’?

I’m sorry you've had this terrible shock and not surprised you can’t think straight right now! But you’re saying this is incontrovertible proof that he’s had this affair. So that’s the issue - are you willing to turn a blind eye or are you going to divorce him?

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:30

SoScarletItWas · 13/09/2025 06:21

Is your question really ‘how did you find out’ or do you mean ‘how do I start to divorce this cheating scumbag’?

I’m sorry you've had this terrible shock and not surprised you can’t think straight right now! But you’re saying this is incontrovertible proof that he’s had this affair. So that’s the issue - are you willing to turn a blind eye or are you going to divorce him?

I guess I’m just looking to see if anyone found I’m out in a similar way but I suppose it doesn’t make any difference. An affair is an affair. I am up now (well, been awake all night tbh) and I’m going to go out before he gets home. I am still in total shock over this. I need to process this information and act on it but, with no family around, not sure what to do. The house was mine initially (I bought it before we met).

OP posts:
LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:31

I can’t turn a blind eye to it

OP posts:
LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:32

It’s not a one off. He’s been doing it all of our marriage. How could I not have bloody noticed?!

OP posts:
whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:35

If I were you I'd take some time to think about what you want. Don't discuss any of this with him, yet. Have some time to think and calm down

It seems like your marriage is a friendship now, and has been for a while. Are you happy with this? Can you continue with this through retirement and onwards?

If yes, maybe you just keep schtum. Let him have his fun
Live, essentially, separate lives, but in the same home

If no, what do you want? Do you want to "win him back"? What does that look like for you? Losing weight? Sex on the agenda again? Trust?

Have you had enough of him? Would you be better off in every way without him? How does that feel to you?

See a solicitor for a 30 minute free appointment, with photos or copies of all your and his paperwork and see what you're entitled to. Half the house? Half of his pension? Half of all savings and investments? Spousal maintenance?

Could you speak to your boss and increase your hours?

This new information is a huge shock, but you might find that it's EXACTLY what you need to kick start the next 40/50 years of your life

SoScarletItWas · 13/09/2025 06:38

@LetterfromaStranger you didn’t notice because he’s a professional cheater and hid it well. He has lied to you. None of this is your fault.

Unfortunately I think you need to sit tight over the weekend. Do not let on that you know, while you make plans and consider your next steps. The much fabled MN ‘ducks in a row’. Make an appointment Monday with a divorce lawyer. Although with no kids etc it’s straightforward to file for divorce online yourself.

What’s the situation with the house? That’s where you need advice as he may have a claim on it as you’re married.

whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:38

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:32

It’s not a one off. He’s been doing it all of our marriage. How could I not have bloody noticed?!

You weren't looking. You trusted him. He works strange hours and plays a lot of sport. You believed him

You now know the truth. Knowledge gives you power. It might not seem that way atm, but it does.

Volpini · 13/09/2025 06:40

i hope youve found it helpful to pour this out on here. I’m so sorry for this terrible shock which I know you have to process.
This has not happened to me (that I know of) but I wanted to offer a handhold until MN wakes up and people who have experienced this start posting.
as others have said. It’s what next…
Have you replied to this woman? I’d be inclined to send a two line response. Thank her for telling you. Ask her not to tell him you know so that you can prepare things without him knowing. She may well tell him anyway but I’d ask.
it would take superhuman strength not to tell him I know, but if you can I would absolutely not let on. i know if I could in any way do that I’d get to a solicitor today (are they open on Saturdays?) or Monday if you can.
Feign illness and stay out of his way as much as possible (sounds like he’s out a lot so hopefully not to hard)
GP also to get you signed off work (don’t tell him) and use that time to get your head around this/ find out your position with a lawyer
Do you have anyone IRL you can speak to in confidence?
Sending you so very much love and support.

KidsDoBetter · 13/09/2025 06:40

whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:35

If I were you I'd take some time to think about what you want. Don't discuss any of this with him, yet. Have some time to think and calm down

It seems like your marriage is a friendship now, and has been for a while. Are you happy with this? Can you continue with this through retirement and onwards?

If yes, maybe you just keep schtum. Let him have his fun
Live, essentially, separate lives, but in the same home

If no, what do you want? Do you want to "win him back"? What does that look like for you? Losing weight? Sex on the agenda again? Trust?

Have you had enough of him? Would you be better off in every way without him? How does that feel to you?

See a solicitor for a 30 minute free appointment, with photos or copies of all your and his paperwork and see what you're entitled to. Half the house? Half of his pension? Half of all savings and investments? Spousal maintenance?

Could you speak to your boss and increase your hours?

This new information is a huge shock, but you might find that it's EXACTLY what you need to kick start the next 40/50 years of your life

Small point but you know she is 60, right?

Walkden · 13/09/2025 06:41

"I am still in total shock over this"

You have said yourself your marriage has been sexless for many years. Now granted it would have been more honest of him to ask for an open marriage or divorce but no sex within a marriage makes an affair more likely. Was it him that stopped asking? That would have been your first clue he was playing away?

Were you unhappy about your marriage being sexless?

Up to you what you do now. You don't have to accept it and can ask for a divorce.

whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:41

KidsDoBetter · 13/09/2025 06:40

Small point but you know she is 60, right?

And your point is that at 60 she's unlikely to live until she's 110? You might be right. I prefer to think positively 🥰

Weepixie · 13/09/2025 06:42

I could weep for you Letterfromastranger, and whilst I have no advice to give you I just want you to know you’re in my thoughts and I wish things were different for you, that you weren’t hurting and in complete and utter turmoil.

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:43

whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:35

If I were you I'd take some time to think about what you want. Don't discuss any of this with him, yet. Have some time to think and calm down

It seems like your marriage is a friendship now, and has been for a while. Are you happy with this? Can you continue with this through retirement and onwards?

If yes, maybe you just keep schtum. Let him have his fun
Live, essentially, separate lives, but in the same home

If no, what do you want? Do you want to "win him back"? What does that look like for you? Losing weight? Sex on the agenda again? Trust?

Have you had enough of him? Would you be better off in every way without him? How does that feel to you?

See a solicitor for a 30 minute free appointment, with photos or copies of all your and his paperwork and see what you're entitled to. Half the house? Half of his pension? Half of all savings and investments? Spousal maintenance?

Could you speak to your boss and increase your hours?

This new information is a huge shock, but you might find that it's EXACTLY what you need to kick start the next 40/50 years of your life

He doesn’t have much pension. He cashed it in from his old employer years ago. I have retired and returned at 60 so get pension plus my part time salary.

OP posts:
Chilliprawnpls · 13/09/2025 06:43

And? Is your husband with you?

Chilliprawnpls · 13/09/2025 06:43

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:32

It’s not a one off. He’s been doing it all of our marriage. How could I not have bloody noticed?!

How do you know not a one off out of interest?

whimsicallyprickly · 13/09/2025 06:44

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:43

He doesn’t have much pension. He cashed it in from his old employer years ago. I have retired and returned at 60 so get pension plus my part time salary.

And the house?

Edit - a police pension is usually pretty lucrative

pilates · 13/09/2025 06:45

I hope you find the strength to end this shambles of a marriage. I don’t know how you can continue with this knowledge apart from kicking him out. You need time and space to process this information with him not living in the same house. Good luck.

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:45

Walkden · 13/09/2025 06:41

"I am still in total shock over this"

You have said yourself your marriage has been sexless for many years. Now granted it would have been more honest of him to ask for an open marriage or divorce but no sex within a marriage makes an affair more likely. Was it him that stopped asking? That would have been your first clue he was playing away?

Were you unhappy about your marriage being sexless?

Up to you what you do now. You don't have to accept it and can ask for a divorce.

He doesn’t approach me now (for sex) and I’m not bothered tbh. We do live as friends. We look out for each other but there hasn’t been intimacy for a long time. This is my fault.

OP posts:
Chilliprawnpls · 13/09/2025 06:46

Op you say this has happened throughout your entire marriage…. How do you know?

Is he not with you in the house right now?

LetterfromaStranger · 13/09/2025 06:50

I have a friend/ex colleague who I meet up with every now and then. We have known each other for years. She also lost her husband to an affair many years ago and has lived alone ever since. Maybe I should speak to her. I feel I need time before I act. This is just something I did not see coming. He is/was such a lovely man! Obviously not!

OP posts:
Walkden · 13/09/2025 06:50

"This is my fault."

No it isn't.

He should have been honest enough to say he wasn't happy with no sex and openly discussed it with you.

Some people decide to open the marriage or turn a blind eye to FWB as a pp said, or if both parties are not not in agreement divorce

Chilliprawnpls · 13/09/2025 06:50

Chilliprawnpls · 13/09/2025 06:46

Op you say this has happened throughout your entire marriage…. How do you know?

Is he not with you in the house right now?

Op?