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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:
LoveMyGirls · 13/10/2009 13:10

Agree with texting him to say you are packing and you have told her dh and he's a bastard.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 13/10/2009 13:12

Definetly leave him, you deserve better than someone who treats you like this. He is a total shitty knob and you need to keep telling youself this.

I would iron all his uniforms before you leave and get huge big scorch marks on everything. Defintely tell her hubby, he deserves to know. Hopefully your partner and her won't get on and then they'll both be left with noone. Would serve 'em right. It astounds me that people think they can "test drive" a new partner before deciding whether to dump the current one.

And prawns - everywhere. Someone told me that actually in the end cap thingy of radiators is a great place.

mangosTrickyrice · 13/10/2009 13:12

What a twunt. So sorry you're going through this, it must be a horrible shock for you.

Please be out of there with absolutely everything not belonging to the Navy by the time he gets back.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 13/10/2009 13:12

Do you have anyone irl you can go and see? Or Ssafa or the padre if you don't have anyone else close. I would also be really really tempted to let his CO know.

Now. You need to take care of yourself. You need to eat, take some time to find out about your options and consider where you want to go from here. talking to ssafa or the padre may help with that too.

I would NOT be there when he comes home if I were you.

And please please don't blame yourself. This is his fuckup.

EightiesChick · 13/10/2009 13:13

Yes, go to your own flat. You will have a miserable few days ahead no matter what, but at least that way you are getting away from him treating you like dirt. Take your stuff. Have you friends nearby who would be available for you to drink some wine with in the evenings and pour your heart out? You need some better company. Get friends to help you move stuff.

I like wannabee's suggestion about saying you have told the husband even if you haven't... also, I'm not on Facebook (and very glad of it the more stories like this I hear) but could you find the husband and get an email address so you can send him a message privately? I agree that putting it publicly on Facebook is not the way.

I understand that you are shocked and beyond upset. This is about him, not you. Even if this is the love of his life (sorry to say something so painful), he still had a choice in how to deal with it. He could have been kind and he could have been sensitive. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you are having a lucky escape because this is what someone of really poor character does, and you are better off without him.

loughtongirl · 13/10/2009 13:13

I know just how you feel my husband left me for another woman who he has been seeing for the last few weeks. This happened last wednesday. We had been together 25 years.take care of yourself

JustAnotherManicMummy · 13/10/2009 13:14

That is such a scummy way to treat another human being.

I am genuinely shocked at his behaviour.

He does not deserve you.

Do you have anywhere to go?

DuelingFANGo · 13/10/2009 13:15

"when he will come home, so that they could see how they got on"

sunds to me like he is fully expecting to be able to continue his relationship with you if they don't get on. Kick him out. You don't deserve to be walked all over like that!

HappyHome · 13/10/2009 13:15

I agree with 3littlefrogs,
Don't give him the satisfaction of being the one call all the shots.

EdgarAllenPoo · 13/10/2009 13:18

it is obvious he is afraid of what you might do - that is why he has threatened you.

don't know about naval/ forcs housing but get out of this marriage quickly and with as much of your dignity intact as possible.

i don't think any revenge tactic will really make you feel better - and might negatively affect a swift divorce. Do whatever you can for yourself and your DC's - don't let this man hurt you any more.

wannaBe · 13/10/2009 13:22

"I thought I would let you know that I have spoken to x' husband and he now knows everything. I have arranged to go round to their house tonight to show him the texts between you and her that I took off your phone. You needn't threaten to throw me out because I have moved out and am staying elsewhere. Goodbye."

I would text him that.

WhenwillIfeelnormal · 13/10/2009 13:23

Desolate - so very sorry. This man's cruelty and sense of entitlement astounds me. Please don't let him into your life again. His calmness on discovery of the texts tells us everything we need to know about what sort of man this is.

Please, I beg you, tell her husband. Not on Facebook - they've got kids FGS. If you know her name, getting an address should be easy from 192.com. Was her address on the letter you found? Do you know where her husband works? He should be relatively easy to trace, but please do it. This poor man and his children are being treated as contemptuously as you.

Move out to your flat, but do no damage to your current home. You'll want the navy on side perhaps at a later point. Do however tell his bosses etc. what is going on. Do not an any account let him control your behaviour and choices any more.

I really feel for you coming up to a milestone birthday, but life without this prick will be much better, believe me.

theDeadPirateRoberts · 13/10/2009 13:26

Desolate - he's done such a number on your self-respect, I can't help wondering what else he might have made you do over the years. You really do deserve so much better than this. Please put yourself in a place where you can look after yourself, and start to value yourself properly.

And ask for help. You need and deserve it.

overmydeadbody · 13/10/2009 13:26

Well what are you waiting for?!

Pack your things and go to your flat, and have no more contact with this vile excuse of a man.

He threatened to kick you out if you tell the husband? So he assumes you will be staying then? What an arrogant bastard.

JustChancesAndChoices · 13/10/2009 13:27

OMG I am so angry for you!

Does he think he can just go & spend a wk end with her "to see how they get on" and if they don't he can just come straight back home again like it is completely normal???? What a crock of shite!

And he must be completely stupid to think that he has some kind of future with her. Does he not realise that you tend to look back at life with "rose tinted glasses" and it all appears so much happier and enjoyable than the daily grind of life now. As soon as they make a proper "go of it" and real life creeps back in he will realise what a fool he is been & then it will be too late! Obviously if they had had such a fantastic relationship then they would both be married to each other now with hundreds of kids!

Other than that do you think you have a relationship worth salvaging & if so would you be able to? I personally wouldnt but my SIL took her OH back after he cheated during her pregnancy with no1. They now have 3 kids & are wed & very happy. I though would have to walk away [sad}once that trust had been broken.

I would also speak to her husband as you are both in the same situation and it may help to have someone else who understands the situation. Also why does she get off with putting her family through what she is doing to yours??

hugs X

overmydeadbody · 13/10/2009 13:28

I wouldn't waste any time or energy texting him anything. Just walk away my dear. And don't look back.

FABIsInTraining · 13/10/2009 13:29

How lovely of him to keep you informed of his plans (I didn't do anything without telling you first) and how nice to try her out first before making her leave her husband incase it comes to nothing.

Bloody hell!

Anyone want to post him some advice on facebook?

desolate - what do you want us to do? Listen, tell you what we think you should do, etc etc.

Forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live.

Rhubarb · 13/10/2009 13:30

Do you have any children with him? I'm guessing not or you would have mentioned them. I wonder what your past history is with men, have you always allowed them to treat you this way?

Because this is your fault too.

You have allowed this man to treat you like a faithful old labrador. You've allowed him to walk all over you.
You've come running when he has snapped his fingers.
You've done everything for him.

What you need is to change yourself.

You've put this man above yourself all through your four years together. You've got up at 6am to iron his shirts, presumably because he's incapable. I'm guessing you do all the shopping, the housekeeping, everything whilst he sits there like royalty.

Now he's getting his fun on the side, safe in the knowledge that he'll still have his ironing done and his meals cooked when he comes home.

You've allowed this.

You didn't make him become a bastard, but you've certainly not helped.

Sorry if that all sounds harsh, but I think you need more that just sympathy here. If you want to get out of this dreadful situation, you need to start making hard decisions and stand up for yourself, and that will be very hard for you to do.

I suggest your first step is a visit to your doctor. You suffer from low self-esteem and are no doubt depressed, so you need boosting. Given that this low self-esteem has originated from somewhere, I suggest you ask to see a counsellor.

Now surely there must be someone you can go to? Do you have any savings that will allow you to have a few days in a Travelodge even? You need to get out of the house and be alone for a while whilst you think things through.

He's frightened of you telling her husband in case it changes his cosy arrangement. It's up to you if you want to force this change, but if he does leave you, you'll have to move out anyway so you might as well start making plans to leave.

Go to the CAB, they'll give you financial advice. If you are not working, you could rent a flat and you'll receive housing benefit to help with the rent, you won't have to pay council tax and you'll get benefits. If you do work, then you may still be entitled to help. There are options there for you, you certainly won't end up on the street. Once you know where you stand financially you may feel strong enough to make one of those decisions.

I wish you well.

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 13/10/2009 13:31

I can't add much to what's already been said. Don't do anything to the flat that could leave you being charged with criminal damage but walk away with your head held high.

And have you got friends and relatives with whom you can arrange something fabulous for your birthday? It may seem a crazy idea now, but with any luck you can turn your birthday into a turning point and start of a new chapter in your life.

Rhubarb · 13/10/2009 13:34

" I didn't make his breakfast though.

I hate the way she can click her fingers and he comes like a spaniel. "

Oh boy, you didn't make his breakfast? Please, come on, can't you see that you are his spaniel here and he has lost all respect for you because of that, this is why he finds it so easy to treat you this way.

Get your self respect back, because this is not the way human beings treat each other.

desolate · 13/10/2009 13:36

Thank you, everyone.

One think which makes me sad is that I will never see his little nieces and grandmother again - I had no idea that the last time I saw them would be the last time.

He did tell me not to tell his Mum, with whom I get on very well, about this, so I rang her this morning and told her how much I would miss them all.

OP posts:
Iklboo · 13/10/2009 13:38

Disclaimer - I did say 'I realise most of the above is likely to be illegal but it might make you feel better just thinking about doing it'

Of course I wouldn't do anything to the flat - or his clothes. I'd just pack my bags and leave the cold hearted prickn and try to find some way of letting her hsuband know he's being cuckolded. Hopefully the grass ain't greener and they'll both end up alone.

I feel so sorry for you, her husband and her children.

Iklboo · 13/10/2009 13:39

'Don't tell my mum'?????

He is a bit fat pooey arsehole!

theDeadPirateRoberts · 13/10/2009 13:39

Good for you for ringing his mother

Now tell lots of other people, and see who can help you get yourself away from him. xx

mrsjammi · 13/10/2009 13:39

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