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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

Partner has gone away for a few days to a hotel with another woman

781 replies

desolate · 13/10/2009 12:25

Hi!

Is there anyone out there who can find a few kind words for me please?

I've been with my partner for four years and we've lived together for most of that. I will be 50 on 3rd November and was hoping for a surprise from my partner for my birthday. The surprise has come early.

About six weeks ago I saw him making furtive mobile calls and when I checked his mobile found several late night texts saying things like "I love you so much". I asked him about it and he told me without any concern for my reaction that they were from a woman he had dated 10 years ago and had recently refound on FaceBook. They'd met up since. He said that she was in the process of a divorce.

He's been getting behind at work recently so I've spent a few weekends helping in the office and I found a letter from her in which she said that she was staying with her husband (2nd one) because her kids needed to stay at their school but hoped N would wait for her. She said that fate had brought them together again and there was lots of undying love stuff.

I decided to do my best to repair my relationship and asked him what his plans were. He said he didn't know and was confused. I asked if he had plans to see her again soon and he said probably not.

He came home last night and said that our relationship was over and that he was heading off today to treat her to a hotel stay till Sunday, when he will come home, so that they could see how they got on - her husband thinks she's gone to see a girlfriend.

My world has fallen apart. Does anyone have a kind word for me or any advice as to how best to navigate such a painful situation. I will be really grateful. Thank you.

OP posts:
Heated · 27/10/2009 19:02

RL is never as straightforward as we'd like but it doesn't matter Desolate. MN are a straight-talking bunch but they are also good listeners. Hope you are ok. Take care.

JustChancesAndChoices · 30/10/2009 16:37

Hi desolate - hope you are well, just wanted to bump the thread in case you get the chance to update us.

Hope things are beginning to go your way for once X

Jacksmamwahahaha · 30/10/2009 17:35

What's happening desolate?

onadietcokebreak · 30/10/2009 17:36

hoping desolate is ok x

GroundhogsRocketScientist · 01/11/2009 19:30

Think if we bump this often enough she'll come back and talk to us?

Iklboo · 02/11/2009 11:10

You out there desolate???

desolate · 02/11/2009 12:00

I'm still here.

I'll write an update as soon as I can.

OP posts:
Iklboo · 02/11/2009 12:07

Nice to hear from you desolate. I'll keep watching for you. Hope everything is OK

GroundhogsRocketScientist · 02/11/2009 12:07

You're still here, or are you still there?

If the latter, I really, really wanna hear what line excuses reasons he came out with that were good enough for you not to kick his sorry backside to the kerb...

I sure as heck hope that he's treating you like a proper queen, waiting on you hand and foot and begging your forgiveness...

Please write soon desolate, we are all so very worried about you.

HappyWoman · 02/11/2009 14:49

desolate - its ok whatever you have done.

Hope you are ok though - and please do let us know.

mylovelymonster · 02/11/2009 22:06

Desolate - I just wanted to wish you as happy a big birthday tomorrow as possible (under the circumstances, that is)
x

Biobytes · 02/11/2009 22:08

Sending good vibes your way

QueenOfHearts22 · 03/11/2009 08:15

Hi Desolate - wow your story pulled at my heartstrings.

I really hope you are ok - I hope that you will update, whatever your decision was, as you will no doubt receive advice and support regardless of where you are or who you are with.

XXX

desolate · 03/11/2009 10:06

Thank you, all of you.

I'm finding lucid thinking a bit difficult at the moment but will try to write about the last few weeks.

I tried hard to leave before he got back but couldn't. I had so much stuff lying around that I couldn't pack it all away. Before he left, I'd been battling really severe depression for months and falling really behind with the housework and everything was totally chaotic and I couldn't find half of my things. I'd also been feeling suicidal and knew that the flat I would be moving out to has a sheer drop and I was afraid of what I might do.

He came home late on the Sunday and I could barely look at him. Something new was that he came to bed in his underwear, which he's never done before. A way of saying "No access", I suppose.

I'd asked my salon friend if she could come to Liverpool but her husband is ill and she has 3 children she couldn't leave. The hotel said that occupying our room on a single basis would raise the price considerably. On the Monday, I asked him if he would still go to Liverpool and he said he would think about it. I felt I had to get to Liverpool some how as it was the only thing which had been arranged for my birthday. He came home that evening and said that the OW (is that the right phrase?) had said he could go. I felt humiliated from head to foot.

The next night he was receiving texts; I asked and he said "They're private messages for ME". The next day she sent me an e-mail which I will write up later. I also discovered that he had logged into my Facebook and copied a message I had sent to hs friend's wife about our relationship. We went to Relate together for the first time but he was pretty nonchalant about it.

We did go to Livepool - stayed at the Malmaison. I said at one point "Do you wish she was here instead of me?" and he said "She would hate this place". I felt so ashamed.

Liverpool's a great place but I felt like I was walking through a living nightmare. There were moments when I thought that we were having such fun such as on the amphibious Duck Tour that he might rethink but I realise that he was under strict supervision all the time and the texts and e-mails flew thick and fast - until the Saturday, when her husband came home, then there was some peace.

Back to London on 25th October. Things start to get tenser. 2nd session at Relate last Wednesday - the Counsellor asked what we wanted from Counselling and he said just to let Deso know that she's history and just to bugger off. V. hurt.

Went to ZZ Topp concert afterwards. Tried to talk to him in car and he threatened to drive into a bridge and kill us both if I didn't shut up. At concert I got up after 2 minutes and went to sit on my own in the foyer.

On the way home, I asked if we could remain friends and he said no, he wanted me to just disappear. Very painful to hear after 4 years. Asked him to be kind to me and he said, if he did, he would never get rid of me.

Tried to keep things calm over the next few days but was starting to break down completely. Managed to get to Fleetwood Mac concert on Saturday with him but felt so miserable.

I'm getting so behind with the housework and washing and he's livid.

Today's my birthday and one of the saddest of my life.

OP posts:
HappyWoman · 03/11/2009 10:16

oh desolate

Sod the housework - please please do try and get out - it will not get better you know that dont you. He is getting angry .

He may well come back begging but he will not if you are waiting around for him = it is true you want what you cant have - that is the appeal of affiars too.

You know this man is not worth any of what he is putting you through.
He is angry because you wont do as he wants.

Are you the desolate he fell in love with???? No you are not but you are still there - you just need to let her shine through.

Get angry and then get some help and take care of yourself - stop wasting anymore energy on him.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 03/11/2009 10:16

I genuinely do not understand why you are allowing yourself to be treated this way. He's made it very clear that he has no feelings towards you anymore, you have somewhere to go and live IIRC so just leave him.

Why should you stay and do his laundry. I am baffled as to why you are still there.

BecauseImWorthIt · 03/11/2009 10:17

Oh goodness, desolate - what a horrible time you're having. Your partner sounds like he is being unbelievably cruel to you, which can't be helping you with your depression.

I have no experience of your situation, but it does sound like you have to get out of this relationship, for your own sanity.

I'm sorry I can't offer you any more specific advice

Lemonylemon · 03/11/2009 10:20

Look, stop worrying about the housework. Just worry about getting your things into black bin liners or boxes or something and get the hell out. He's humiliated you enough already. Why are you continuing to put yourself through this? If you are not careful, he will see you out on your ear with none of your possessions. You MUST get yourself together enough to pack. Have you a friend who can help you do it? You're going to end up so much worse if you let this continue.

I won't say happy birthday, because this is such a terrible time for you. I will say that I hope that your next birthday is much happier for you - because you got out.

Iklboo · 03/11/2009 10:25

I'd put all his clothes in a shredder - or at least just wash my own and leave him to do his own. You have no obligations to this creep. GO NOW. You deserve better than this.

And why is it YOUR job to do the housework & laundry? It's the 21st century not Upstairs Downstairs. Just do your laundry, wash your cup/plate/cutlery, make your side of the bed if possible

PACK YOUR THINGS & GET OUT NOW

Earthymama · 03/11/2009 10:25

Please ring Samaritans and then get yourself out of there.

You can do it, you won't throw yourself of that drop because the minute you are out of his space you will feel better.

Come on, you deserve a happy birthday and good years to come, not this punishment from him and from you.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 03/11/2009 10:27

If you are worried about your mental health and safety if you move out then please see a GP / HCP about that, but move out. The shitty way he is behaving is only going to make you worse, not better. If you let us know where you are, a bunch of 20+ mumsnetters would probably turn up, help you pack, move and get sorted.

I personally wil take care of his washing for you.

diddl · 03/11/2009 10:28

Please, please get out of there, Desolate

TBH, I´m worried for your safety now as he is getting angry.

Leave the housework, and unless you really want what you haven´t packed yet, I´d leave that as well.

Hunibee · 03/11/2009 10:30

I have followed this thread from the beginning and cannot begin to put myself into this situation. It is becoming increasingly bizarre and unreal.

Going away on holiday and to concerts, with a degree of normality, whilst this man's contempt and dislike is so fierce is beyond my understanding. What is all that about?

Whatever is keeping you there is destroying you.

Please find a way to leave and start living your life.

Aussieng · 03/11/2009 10:39

I have nothing but sympathy for you - your situation is horrendous but why on earth are you still there? Your DP has behaved like an unbelievable d*ck but nevertheless he is entitled to end the relationship if he wants to and I'm not sure how he could have made his position any clearer.

He is not going to start loving you again if you get all of his laundry done - acting like a dormat seems to be only increasing his contempt and frustration with you and I am genuinely concerned as to where this could lead.

wannaBe · 03/11/2009 10:41

he's livid about the housework? Oh poor him personally I would make the house as messy as I could before moving out.

Does the ow's husband know? If not then I think it's time he found out.

Why are you continuing to let him treat you like this - move out today.

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