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

I knew he was up to no good. (long)

69 replies

Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 12:48

DH is having affair. Was still denying it until I came up with evidence in front of him. Some of the lies he told were just laughable and for whatever reason I chose to believe him. Even now he is still lying and I don't know why because the fact that he IS having an affair is out in the open. He won't give me any details. Not details like what they got up to but who she is, how old she is, when he sees her. He is lying about where she lives despite me having evidence he is lying.

A few weeks ago we had a big meltdown where he didn't said he thought there was no hope for our relationship at all and we ought to split up. That came as a complete shock because we get on so well and never argue. I thought everything was more or less perfect up to that point, as perfect as any marriage can be.

He said he'd lost his feelings for me, that he didn't love me any more and there was no spark. We are going to Relate and have had a couple of sessions there. At Relate I felt it was all a bit of a character assassination and that he was suggesting things were all my fault. The counsellor seemed to be focussing on things that happened years ago that I didn't think were in any way relevant but I thought she must know best.

So I found out about the affair and I said well we're already going to relate and you don't think this is relevant. He said he is 100% committed to sorting out our marriage!. At this point he said having the affair is helping our marriage by making it better, and he seemed to have to intention of stopping seeing her. He says he doesn't want to leave me and be with her, then he says he will stop seeing her.

I've tried pointing out to him that in a new relationship he is going to feel more of a spark than he does in a lengthy marriage but he can't grasp that.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what is true and what isn't. I don't know when he is seeing OW. He says he hasn't told her we are going to relate. I bet he has.

First he said he needed emotional support from the affair, then he said it was all about sex. He said he loved her in a text I found. He hasn't been participating fully in family life for some time but I thought it was work. And as for it being all about sex, I have tried to have more sex with him countless times. I always have to initiate. His idea of initiating is to grab my breasts when I am cooking and then make some comment about never getting sex. I think he might be using a different approach with OW. We do have regular sex and I can just imagine him whining to this woman that he never gets a shag at home

I had recurring thrush a few months ago and when it didn't clear up I started to wonder if it was thrush and I gave him the chance to speak up then, saying I needed to know for my health if he had been with anyone else. Obviously I need to go and get tested. He says he uses condoms but I don't believe him. He doesn't even rememeber that we need to use condoms. I always have to remind him and he is quite daft about things like that.

The worst bit is that I think he went on holiday with her when I had a 2wk old newborn and I think he might have a child with her. I'm still trying to find out about that.

I don't know why I'm writing this. I don't want to tell any of my friends. I want to work this out but really, it's in his court now. He could quite easily say he has stopped seeing her but not.

I'm most shocked by his ability to lie. I never thought he had it in him. I would trust him with my life and he's done this to me.

In a way I feel better know I know it is and affair because I was puzzled at all these things supposedly wrong with the marriage that I didn't know about.

I don't know where to go from here. I need to have a good talk with him but he won't be in until late. I wanted him to take a sickie so we could talk uninterrupted but he was horrified by the very suggestion, fine upstanding man that he is . Suspect OW is at work with him.

OP posts:
Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 13:59

Oh god, I didn't really thing of that. If one of us is going to go I'd rather it was me. I feel he has no appreciation of what my life at home with the children is like. DC1 is behaving appallingly and I struggle to cope.

OP posts:
NewLeaseofLife · 23/04/2009 14:01

Mug- I have had a similar situation and unfortunately despite working very, very hard at it I have never been able to trust him again (he still lies constantly about little things, never going to re-build trust if he does that). We are in the process of separating although it is very early days. On the plus side I think we are going to be able to salvage a friendship out of it all.

I do believe that if you both really want it and both really really work at it you may be able to move on.
I am so sorry this has happened to you. I would advise seeking legal advice just in case, it is always good to know where you stand and although I know it is easier said than done try really hard not to think about her too much...
There has to be a point where you realise that you need to be yourself and if he doesn't like that then he has to make the decision to stay or go, if you feel like screaming and wailing then do so, He does deserve that!
You have the right to some answers and I hope you get some.

Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 14:03

I will need legal advice. I don't want to go into detail here for privacy but if we split the situation will be quite complex.

OP posts:
QSthevampireslayer · 23/04/2009 14:05

If you DO go, be prepared for the fact that you may have problems getting custody of your children in the future. You may struggle now, but dont you think you would have struggled less if you had a reliable and loving husband, rather than a two-timing skunk? I am sure motherhood will be a lot more enjoyable with that situation resolved.

LoveMyGirls · 23/04/2009 14:12

Ring round solicitors now get a free half hour appointment to find out your rights.

Don't leave your home, why should your ds be uprooted because his dad is a lying cheat?

Just pack his bag while you have space to breath, tell yourself it isn't forever at this point just until you are clear on what you want.

Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 14:33

There's so much to do. I have a headache now and I need to sleep but I have to do the school run and then it will be chaos again. I feel utterly desperate. I just want to talk to him and he won't be home for hours. He moved into the spare room a few weeks ago. Oh God, I just want to cry. I've nothing to add here really but I want to keep posting.

OP posts:
whatdoyouallthink · 23/04/2009 14:38

When your dc are home from school try to take your mind of it all by doing something with them, even if its only playing in the garden. Anything to take your mind of it and wear them out is good!

Is there anyway he could possibly get home from work a little earlier?

NewLeaseofLife · 23/04/2009 14:38

Hey, Do you have anyone to talk to at all?
It is good that you will be busy but on the other hand you need to sleep when you can...Do you have anyone that could help out with the kids for a couple of hours?
I hope you manage to talk to him tonight and hopefully get some answers.
x

LoveMyGirls · 23/04/2009 14:39

The fact he wouldn't even have the day off to talk to you speaks volumes and for that alone I would not allow him to stay in the house.

He has absolutly no respect whatsoever for you so in turn I would not give him an inch.

Don't think long term, dont even think past today just think for now you need to pack him a bag and make him go and only once you have shown him you are serious will he be forth coming with words imo.

Actions speak louder than words his actions are that he has moved ionto the spare room and has gone to work without taking your feelings into consideration for one moment, even if he talks to you you can't trust him, the words could be lies.

I think you need to accept for now he has to go if you are ever goingt o get him back and him be truly yours, that may never happen but for you to even have a chance of it you need to make it loud and clear that his behaviour isn't on.

Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 14:46

Right, I'm going to ask him to leave but for various reasons that isn't going to be practicable until next week. I don't want to go into why. But do I tell him now that I want him to leave next week or do I just boot him out next week?

I only have my best friend who knows us both. I have a couple of other friends but really, I don't want to talk to them in case it is one of them. I know that probably sounds ridiculous but he has lied at every turn. Apart from that my only contact with human beings is at sodding toddler group which I hate.

I am dreading DC1 coming home. So much hard work and so destructive. Don't enjoy time with DC1 at the moment. A phase I expect but it has really got me down.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 23/04/2009 14:59

Can you take dc to the park or something? Anything to fill the time.

Sorry but I don't understand why you can't ask him to leave. He needs underpants and a wallet. Besides which, he probably has another house and family that he can go to.

Mugonmyforehead · 23/04/2009 15:16

I can't go into why it can't be this week but it is a good reason IMO. I don't think he has another house but then you never know.

Should I tell him in advance that he has to go or at the time?

OP posts:
mamas12 · 23/04/2009 15:21

So sorry for this mug (!) Take the dc outside to a park for a walk anywhere it will do you both good.
Text or email h that you will be leaving an overnight bag for him on the doorstep as you need to think and you do not want to be disturbed tonight at all and will be expecting him at the kitchen table 10 am in the morning for him to talk. NON NEGOTIABLE.
Write down everything you need to know from him.
You will then know from his reactions how things will be .
Be strong and post often.

QSthevampireslayer · 23/04/2009 16:54

Whether it is practical for HIM or not, is the least of your concerns. Dont even consider what is practical for him.

It isnt practical for YOU that he is sleeping with another woman, yet he has done that.

HE is putting himself into this position. Not you.

Boot him now.

StirlingTheStrong · 23/04/2009 16:59

If it helps - I am 17 months down the line from you and I Deeply regret not asking h to leave the house.

The way I look at it now, if he goes to ow, then even though that hurts, you can start to rebuild your life. If he wants to come back then he will need to jump through a few hoops first. Dont let him back in until he is begging to come back and you have all the info from him that you need.

Good Luck x

debs05 · 23/04/2009 17:17

I have been in the same situation, its too early to make any major decisions, if you feel better with him there let let him, if you want him to go do that too. Every day and every hour your emotions will change. After I discovered my dh affairs I have been to hell and back and even 14 months on he still doesnt know when he goes off to work what kind of reaction he will get when he returns.

He has turned your life upside down and its like grief, he has spoilt every memory and every dream you had seems like it is a fake. I cant even have my wedding photos out yet. But I have come to realise that the affair is a symptom and not my fault. It was escapism pure and simple from life in general. Only sex is the only way to look at it. If he wants to be with the ow nothing will stop him, no man stays for the sake of any-one although us women do.

Do what feels right this second, this hour and this day and face tomorrow when it comes. He has to be 100% honest to move forward. He has to prove to you his love and commitment, he has to win you back and then if you decide to stay together you can move forward a day at a time. The past is the past and the future starts tomorrow. My biggest shock is just how common affairs are - its such a small word but it rips familys and peoples lives apart and its not worth it. Hope this helps and remember you are not to blame.

junglist1 · 23/04/2009 19:03

I don't even know what to say, what a hard situation. Do you think you are shell shocked? I know you said you felt that weeks ago, but this is different again, a different kind of pain. I hope you get the resolution to this you want, I really do.

clam · 23/04/2009 19:21

You are in a horrible, impossible position. I feel so, so wretched on your behalf, BUT, as I see it, you have two choices here, and it's going to sound harsh. Either he stays and you live with the fact that he's lying to you and sleeping with someone else. Or kick him out, and cope with managing your DCs alone. Stark choice.

But what you want ,which I assume is that he falls down before you prostrate with regret and pledges to ditch her and be with you 100%, is unlikely to happen. Unless you cut him loose and make him realise what he's missing. Although you might then come to see that he appears to be a worthless shit who doesn't deserve to be in the same room as you.

He is compounding his selfish behaviour by refusing to talk to you. This shows cruelty and lack of care. Bastard.

whatdoyouallthink · 24/04/2009 07:23

Mugonmyforhead, Did you manage to talk to your h last night when he got home? Hope that whatever happened last night your feeling a little bit stronger about it all today. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Thinking of you and your dc.

lowenergylightbulb · 24/04/2009 10:47

I hope you are feeling a little better today. You've had some great advice on this thread. He's behaved terribly. I mean really, really badly. If a man gets caught out having an affair and then claims to want to make the marriage work his correct response should be to drop everything, talk to you, reassure you, walk over hot coals while apologising - not to gloss over it and then bugger off out to work.

Practicalities/complex situations can all be sorted out. Please, you really don't need to be putting up with this.

springlamb · 24/04/2009 10:59

Just seen this, hope you managed to talk last night. The usual reaction of a man found out in a affair who wants to continue his marriage is to stop seeing the OW, delete all texts, phone numbers etc, reassure wife that it was 'nothing', go to counselling, and do everything the wife says as soon as she says it. It seems you're getting none of that.
Perhaps the situation's moved on but FWIW:

You talk about your dh. He isn't your dh, you're sharing him with someone else and you shouldn't have to, that wasn't what you signed up for. Every day you let this go on without drawing your own line in the sand means this will happen to you again and again.
You need to stop having any physical relationship with him. You don't need anyone's sloppy seconds and you already have inklings about his sexual health. Stop leaving yourself open to this - you yourself don't need that kind of crap, and your dc certainly don't need their mum going through that.
Appreciate you may feel that you want another adult around to help cope with the phase that your DC1 is going through. But have you considered that part of that might be a response to the tension in your house. You say 'your' dh moved into the spare room some weeks ago and I'm sure there are other signs of discord that your dc are picking up on.
If you ask 'your' dh to leave to give you some breathing space, you will eventually be able to breathe properly again and to think more clearly about the future. Hopefully, you will come to realise that you are worth much more than this treatment.

ladylush · 24/04/2009 17:19

OP, I am so sorry you are going through this I am incredulous that he went to work half an hour after you discovered he is having an affair How did you find out?

I agree with all the posts - some very sensible advice. I agree with springlamb. I have continued my marriage despite my h being unfaithful. He did everything necessary to try to win back my trust etc. and even then, it is still hard for me to let go. So there is no way that I would contemplate staying with someone who continued to lie and refused to talk. You are worth so much more than that.

notbeenaround · 24/04/2009 20:06

I truly feel for you having split from my dh (no one else involved) we are now back together. At the point when he left I always remember my older sister telling me to let him go and if he truly loves you he will come back.

You need answers yes, but you also need time to sort your head out and what you want, at the moment you feel confused upset and betrayed so maybe a little time to yourself will make you see things in a better perspective and by god I bet he gets a shock if you do give him an overnight bag!

take care x

StirlingTheStrong · 25/04/2009 20:22

How are things now Mug?

Is your h still at home?

Hope you are ok

AnnasBananas · 25/04/2009 20:53

Mug, read this and couldn't not post. You sound so sad and down and not angry enough at him, IMO.

It's not your fault. It's not about you. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

If he can't come clean and at least sit down and talk about it, give honest answers then my gut reaction to this mess is to say his heart is just not it. To be with you, I mean. Where is his committment to you and your children?? It's bizarre, he's acting like it's his supreme right to behave like this.

It's all about him. What about you? Take some control back and ask him to leave, even if it is just temporary. Get some breathing space and lega advice. Then if you still think there is something there to save why not go to counselling together?

Swipe left for the next trending thread