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Removing bf from potential abuse

(81 Posts)
Slaytheday Fri 31-Jan-25 12:02:50

I connected with an old friend from 25 years ago recently and have over the last few months started a relationship with him. When I found him he had a gf of ten years but was not living with her. Their relationship was volatile and he seemed unhappy. Roll forwards six months and he has attempted to leave the gf on a couple of occasions but she uses her son (who bf loved dearly) to guilt trip him back, as well as some extreme outbursts, tantrums and dramas for good measure. He runs back to her because he thinks she is emotionally vulnerable and her 14 yr old son is obviously relying on him. Bf is the type of person who wants to help everyone and he tends to gets taken advantage of. He sees her as a victim and feels he is ‘abandoning her’. I think she is an emotional abuser using every manipulative tactic in the book. We have kept our relationship secret as it is early days and he is in fear of the fallout of her finding out. He has told me that although he stays over he is not having sex with her and I believe him. For the sake of getting the kind of advice I need on this platform, I would like this to be taken as true, rather than spark any side debates about whether or not he is telling the truth. He is telling the truth.

My hunch is that if she knew about me then the abuse would stop. I believe she would not try the same tactics with me in the frame as essentially she knows she would not be able to manipulate me. Or she may try, but she would not get very far.

I want to respect bf’s Soave and let him deal with things, but I can see he’s having a real emotional battle with it because he wants to be the good guy. His mother and father have both expressed views that they think the relationship is abusive, but bf seems in denial.

What might I do?

Hithere Fri 31-Jan-25 15:07:25

Yes, he is having sex with her - get an std test asap

AGAA4 Fri 31-Jan-25 14:33:18

If he was going to leave his partner he would have done it by now. He is stringing you along and you may always be the other woman.

Lathyrus3 Fri 31-Jan-25 14:29:35

I’m really sorry Slaytheday that you can’t bring yourself to see what is so obvious to all of us here.

“Knowing that you lied, straight-faced while I cried
Yet I looked to find a reason to believe

Hithere Fri 31-Jan-25 14:09:18

And think who has the role of white knight here? Your so called bf or you

Hithere Fri 31-Jan-25 14:00:11

Run
Raise your standards and find somebody who puts you first

TwiceAsNice Fri 31-Jan-25 13:52:58

Whatever you call this “relationship” you are being manipulated . Is that what you are willing to put up with? Do you not deserve better?I would be running, I divorced a manipulative later abusive partner. Never again!

ViceVersa Fri 31-Jan-25 13:41:43

I'd say him not actually being married is more than just a 'technicality'. You're his bit on the side, whether you like to face up to that or not. Up to you whether you can live with that in the longer term, I guess.

OldFrill Fri 31-Jan-25 13:37:40

when l found him he had a girlfriend of ten years

How many other affairs has he had in those ten years? He doesn't live with her - sounds like she has good reason not to allow that. Are you his only current 'bit on the side?
Been in a similar situation, he thrived on the excitement and sex, wasn't a keeper and thank goodness l worked it out and walked away. Good luck, he sounds like an a*

NonGrannyMoll Fri 31-Jan-25 13:33:07

Tempting though it might be to intervene, this problem belongs to him and his gf. It's not your problem, nor your business. He isn't your bf. He's merely a man who's stringing at least two women along. Stay clean away from both of them and afford them the privacy to solve their own problem. Maybe if he becomes genuinely single in the future, you might want to try again with him. For myself, I wouldn't - what's the point of being a willing victim in a destructive triangle?

Desdemona Fri 31-Jan-25 13:29:00

I think I would tell him you want to cool things for a while until he sorts the situation out.

I know it might be painful to do this but it might spur him into some kind of action (or it might not.)

The current situation is a bit of a mess.

Lathyrus3 Fri 31-Jan-25 13:21:59

Then I guess you’ll just have to accept the role of the secret “other woman”.

Have you got any thoughts about how long you’re happy to do that? 1 more year.? Till the boy leaves home? Till his other girlfriend decides she’s done?

Slaytheday Fri 31-Jan-25 13:11:45

I also think it’s a bit much to say walk away. It’s not that easy for me to walk away either. It is the obvious and easy solution but that’s not how relationships work.

It is extremely hard to get to 50 and not have baggage. I don’t want to give up on him yet.

I know he is two timing me, and I know he is not what anyone could be considered an ideal bet. But as misadventure shows things can work out.

Also, I know plenty of people our age in long term sexless relationships. Loads. So it’s not a done deal at all that he is spinning flashoods to have sex with two women at once.

Allira Fri 31-Jan-25 13:08:20

Slaytheday

It is not his child no.

X post.

Allira Fri 31-Jan-25 13:08:00

Well, if tpyou finish things that would focus his mind on what he really wants.

He could still see the boy on his own, he's 14. They could go out together, if they like sports he could take him off to matches etc.

Slaytheday Fri 31-Jan-25 13:06:18

It is not his child no.

Slaytheday Fri 31-Jan-25 13:05:46

Thanks everyone. I know it’s a technicality but he not having an affair as they are not married.

Anyway, if it walks like a duck then it is a duck. So I guess it’s an affair.

Misadventure thanks for response. It’s interesting to hear . Did you have to leave or just give him a firm date?

We have actually agreed to a ‘plan’ or a timeline for him leaving but I see he’s struggling with it a bit.

The responses here are a bit of a mixed bag and reflect all my conflicting thoughts.

Allira Fri 31-Jan-25 13:05:01

pascal30 👍

So he is keeping you a secret, OP?
He's two-timing you both.
Is the son his child?

What might I do?
Say goodbye and find someone without such a complicated love life.

Lathyrus3 Fri 31-Jan-25 13:01:27

I accept he’s not having sex with her. He doesn’t need to. I guess he’s having sex with you.

It’s a story as old as the hills. Home, family, sex on the side.

Rainbow1235 Fri 31-Jan-25 12:50:42

Agreed 100%what pascal30 said x

pascal30 Fri 31-Jan-25 12:38:41

You are having an affair with someone who is in a relationship with someone else.. This cannot work out in your favour unless he finishes this relationship with his partner.. he is clearly still emotionally involved with her.. why don't you step back and let him make a clear choice..

MissAdventure Fri 31-Jan-25 12:36:12

I've been in virtually the same situation once before, except the child was my new boyfriend's with his ex.

He would take her shopping, they spent sundays going out as a family, and all sorts of strange things that she she had convinced him he owed her.

After a couple of months I told him I was unsure what the set up really was, but I wouldn't be around to be part of it - so he told her, and there was hell to pay for a while, whilst she tried any and everything she could to manipulate him back into this strange arrangement.

Sago Fri 31-Jan-25 12:34:59

Here we go!

Elowen33 Fri 31-Jan-25 12:34:08

You only have his word about her behaviour and as he is having an affair with you he obviously is not trust worthy.

Jewelle Fri 31-Jan-25 12:30:16

Up to you as to whether you want to remain a secret or not. He’s a grown man and needs to decide if he wants to stay with her or be with you. You may need to give him an ultimatum, otherwise it doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving her any time soon.

MissAdventure Fri 31-Jan-25 12:22:51

He needs to tell her about you, and face the onslaught, I think.
May as well get it out in the open once and for all.