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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

Is my husband cheating or is it me?

17 replies

ND8 · 28/12/2025 10:23

I’ve always been a happy person. Me and my husband have been married for 10 years and it’s been amazing. We’ve done a lot together but we’ve always enjoyed each others company.
Back in October, he snapped at me out of the blue and then told me he thought we spent too much time together as we also work together. Said he felt suffocated so we had to make some tweaks. I thought nothing of this and agreed.
A few days later, I overheard him talking to his friend saying ‘I don’t want to delay things’. Didn’t overthink it at the time but wondered what he meant. I’ve asked him but he said he can’t remember.
Just over a week later, I got him one night quickly flicking off something on his phone. I asked him 4 times what he was doing and he said ‘nothing’. He then said he was looking at porn but it was all blurred as he hadn’t subscribed. Also told me it was for my benefit.
I got upset because he lied to me and swore on his mums life he wasn’t doing anything before telling me.
As the weeks went on, he became different, distant and was always messaging on his phone. I’d walk in the room and he’d quickly swipe off. I queried it but apparently it was all in my mind.
He then told me he was going to sleep in the spare room. I walked in one evening and he was hiding his phone under the quilt. I questioned him and he got defensive and then said he was messaging someone but not what I think. Said he was on Omegle talking to a stranger about feeling low. From what others have said, Omegle is a sex chat site. But as the weeks have gone on, I think he told me he was on Omegle to cover up he was messaging someone.
I became a total anxious mess to the point where I am now anxious about a lot in life. I’ve thought people are conspiring against me, I thought my phone had been bugged, I can’t trust anyone. My husband has basically called me crazy.
Back In November my husband said either I move out temporarily or he does as said he needs space. I moved out as I needed support from other people. I’ve had very low days where I feel I haven’t got a purpose.
my husband has been cold and bitter throughout all of this. He was once the kindest man with the biggest heart.
We’ve spent Christmas together at home but in separate rooms. I’m doing everything on his terms. He’s still always on his phone. I’ve been extremely depressed. Christmas Day I didn’t want to be here. I have a lot of days like that.
My husband is still denying there is someone else but there are so many suspicious things he’s been doing.
He then told me last night he was going away for over a week on his own. This has totally broken me. Has anyone had any experience like this?
I’ve been wanting to sort things but my husband has become this nasty person who I don’t recognise.
He keeps doing things to deliberately trigger my anxiety. Told me he spent £8500 on a Rolex. Then when I innocently asked ‘seriously?’, he snapped and said he can spend his money on what he wants. Then laughed and said ‘only joking, it’s a replica and cost £400’. I’ve spoken to our friends about it and he told them he paid £8500. I questioned him last night and he basically said he wanted to look flash and for them to be impressed. He’s never been like this.
Why’s he turned like this? I want me kind, funny, gentle husband back 😢
Meanwhile, I’m becoming withdrawn from life and feeling incredibly lonely. Any advice welcome

OP posts:
Mumto21234 · 28/12/2025 10:31

It sounds like potentially there is someone else and he has completely checked out. Even if there isnt though, do you want to accept this behaviour?

MNLurker1345 · 28/12/2025 10:52

I am so sorry you are going through this OP and your devastation is clear and warranted.

You are not wrong to wander about his behaviour, his actions and this change in what you describe was previously a good relationship.

He may be having an affair and building up to leaving you. Or not! He maybe deeply unhappy, watching porn and chatting on sex forums as he says.

He is being evasive and gaslighting you. At this point your mental health is the most important thing. Please leave the home again. Take some space, cry, be angry, feel
betrayed but don’t do it under this roof.

He is going away for a week. Soon?
This could be the awful turning point.

He clearly does not want to have a conversation about where your marriage is and this is an absolute travesty. If he is having personal problems, communicating with you is the first step, surely for him to access help. An affair on the other hand is going to be a total barrier to any communication between you.

What was communication on these deep fundamental life issues like before this?

You are in so much pain, but please don’t let this man destroy you.

ND8 · 28/12/2025 11:08

MNLurker1345 · 28/12/2025 10:52

I am so sorry you are going through this OP and your devastation is clear and warranted.

You are not wrong to wander about his behaviour, his actions and this change in what you describe was previously a good relationship.

He may be having an affair and building up to leaving you. Or not! He maybe deeply unhappy, watching porn and chatting on sex forums as he says.

He is being evasive and gaslighting you. At this point your mental health is the most important thing. Please leave the home again. Take some space, cry, be angry, feel
betrayed but don’t do it under this roof.

He is going away for a week. Soon?
This could be the awful turning point.

He clearly does not want to have a conversation about where your marriage is and this is an absolute travesty. If he is having personal problems, communicating with you is the first step, surely for him to access help. An affair on the other hand is going to be a total barrier to any communication between you.

What was communication on these deep fundamental life issues like before this?

You are in so much pain, but please don’t let this man destroy you.

I’m just totally numb. He’s been my rock and my world for the past 16 years.
This year had been a good year up until all of this.
I’ve never suffered like this and I’m now seeing a therapist and I’m on anti-depressants. I know there are cruel evil people in the world but never thought my husband was one of them 😢
I honestly don’t think I can get through this. I wish he had hurt me this bad 16 years ago and not after years of happy memories and building our life 😞

OP posts:
Allthegoodonesareg0ne · 28/12/2025 11:10

Oh you poor thing. It's such a horrible feeling.
It does sound like there is someone else - trust your gut on that.
But either way he's treating you horribly and you get to decide if you will continue to put up with it or not.

cantbearsed247 · 28/12/2025 11:16

I'd start the divorce process asap before he wastes a ton of money on buying flashy things to impress whoever it is he is messaging behind your back. Sounds like he's going off to meet her for a week now to really test the waters. No doubt he'll be throwing the cash around there as well.

You need to find support elsewhere now because your kind, gentle husband has gone. He is being horrible to you because he needs to make you into the villain in his mind - then he can make it all your fault that he's cheating on you. He's gas lighting you by calling you crazy and of course this is all going to really affect your mental health. You really need to get as much support as you can and realise that you cannot rely on him any more and you cannot believe a word he says.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, I had a similar shock 6 years ago, you will get through it. Get angry at the shit he's pulling, then start to emotionally distance yourself and start putting yourself first.

Then as they like to say here 'get your ducks in a row'.

Purplecatshopaholic · 28/12/2025 11:23

I’m so sorry op, this behaviour does sound suspicious. He sounds like he’s checked out of your marriage tbh. This situation can’t continue, it’s making you ill, although it’s good you are already getting help through a therapist. Even if he’s not cheating (and I too think that he is), his cruel behaviour is unacceptable. You need to take your power back op (don’t let him dictate and don’t beg, he’s not your friend any more) and tell him this behaviour is unacceptable, and if he wants to remain married it needs to stop. He needs to be honest with you, or the marriage is over either way. So sorry op, been there, it sucks.

TFImBackIn · 28/12/2025 11:24

I'm so sorry - it must be like living with a different person.

You have to protect yourself financially - I can't stress that enough. Do you share accounts?

Omgblueskys · 28/12/2025 12:37

Op he's checked out, bloody ewful op why they play this game,

You need to find your strength now , while he's away apply for divorce, get all your stuff together and start planning your exit op,

Pointless asking him anything right now, he's never going to say,

You need to look after you now, he knows your falling apart op,

The man from 16 years ago has long gone op, I am sorry, but please look after yourself now, good timing while he is away

3luckystars · 28/12/2025 12:41

You are not imagining this, he has changed.

He is likely having an affair. Do you have good family / friends support around you?

Kidsgotothatschool · 28/12/2025 12:43

I experienced this, it was an affair. I found that what I was experiencing was hyper vigilance and anxiety and it came from a profound shift in my husband’s behaviour towards me. He was my safe space and the rug had been pulled out from under my feet.

My advice is get your ducks in a row, seek legal/financial support. Google the 180 and surviving infidelity, read their forums. Get tough.

Pull this a’hole off the pedestal you have him on and be the hero in your own story. You can do this. You deserve better.

Geeseinarowhonk · 28/12/2025 13:11

I'm sorry OP, you have been treated appallingly, and I'm sorry to say his behaviour is likely to get worse - right now, he sees you as the enemy who is the obstacle between him and his luurrve 🙄if there is someone else hence he is being extremely cruel.

Whoever he is trying to impress, he is trying to give off the impression he is minted, and spending your joint marital assets in doing so.

You need to protect your own interests and get one step ahead. Are your finances in order? You say you work together - how exactly are things arranged in terms of earnings/pensions etc, you need to find a solicitor to discuss your options.

You also need to look after your health. This man has made you ill. How dare he. Betrayal trauma is a thing, I would look into finding professional support who can do somatic work with you in order to help your nervous system - I bet you are constantly in fight/flight veering into collapse. You need support to get out of this so that you can get energised into fighting for yourself - float like a butterfly and sting like a hornet 😉

Use the time while he is away (no doubt to go with or visit this other person) to check paperwork, ensure that you have sentimental/expensive items safely put away where he can't get to them. In my experience, once you have been devalued and discarded, men like him can be very spiteful.

Most of all, you need the support of your loved ones who will be your team cheering you on the sidelines. Your husband once was, but he is no longer on your team. While you need to grieve this, you also need to be smart and act quickly to protect your long-term wellbeing.

Makemeanonymous · 28/12/2025 13:21

Omegle was shut down in November 2023 so saying he was on that recently is a lie.
I'm sorry OP but it sounds from his behaviour that your relationship is over.

AcrossthePond55 · 28/12/2025 16:49

@ND8

You will get through this. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you will. In the words of Christopher Robin; "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think".

1- get support. Tell someone. Think of just one friend or relative who you believe will keep your confidence and tell them, Then ask for a shoulder to lean on. Saying something 'out loud' helps make it real. And when it's real you'll find it easier to accept that reality and do something about it.

2- get legal advice and say nothing about it to him. If you can take the friend/relative you confide in with you to be a second set of ears. It doesn't mean you're going to 'do anything', but it sounds to me as if he's miles ahead on this road you're only taking your first steps on. If he is contemplating ending your marriage, he may already have sought advice. Because of that, you need to get educated as to what divorce may mean to you. Again it doesn't mean you have to 'do anything'. Just remember that knowledge is power, forewarned is forearmed.

3- and I know this is hard, but you need to stop talking to him about this. Let him think he has you buffaloed. It will work to your advantage (see 2).

4-get counseling or therapy. This will be invaluable, not just now but for the rest of your life

You don't need to go through this alone. There is no benefit to keeping it a secret from those you trust. In fact, there can be harm in doing so.

ND8 · 28/12/2025 20:48

Thanks everyone for your advice ♥️

I’ve felt such a wave of emotions. When he says he’s not having an affair he sounds so convincing and I think perhaps I’ve got this all wrong and maybe I am crazy and it’s all in my head like he’s constantly been telling me. But then I think of all the strange behaviours he’s been displaying over the past few weeks. The list is endless. And I’m definitely not imagining those 😞
Each time he does something out of the ordinary, I go into survival mode. My body tenses up, I shake, I feel total pain. If things aren’t going to bad, it’s like he does something to try and get a reaction and then if I say the wrong thing, I’m in the wrong. It’s like he knows what he’s doing to point the blame at me.
He says I need to drop the anxiety word and says I’ve chosen to be like this.
Why do I still have that bit of hope that we can sort things? Or am I totally deluded?
The thought that all this is my fault is absolutely breaking me. Is it all my fault or is he just an amazing liar? I thought I knew him. But I’m having doubts. I honestly don’t know what to do am I feel like I’m stuck in a rut 😞

OP posts:
Allthegoodonesareg0ne · 28/12/2025 22:26

This is one of the worst things about being betrayed @ND8 . They'll make you think you are imagining things, being ridiculous, projecting, being over demanding etc etc. Anything to avoid bursting the affair bubble they are in. It's horrifically cruel.
You don't need to keep pushing for a confession. The way he's treating you is sufficient to say enough is enough. Let him go.
Give yourself the space and care you need go see clearly again and him the chance to appreciate what he's putting at risk. Whatever the outcome in the long term I can tell you from experience you won't regret it. You can't change him but you can take care of yourself x

CoachNot · 28/02/2026 17:53

They get very good at lying especially when they realise they have fucked up.

SENDChaos · 01/03/2026 03:14

Babes you already know the answer here

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