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What do I do with all this painful energy?

My husband stayed up late last night on the computer again, which he hasn't done in a while but we all go in phases, right? Well, unfortunately it seems that he only has one phase. It doesn't matter how many years we put behind us, he always seems to drift back into searching for his ex on social media (though she thoroughly blocked him on every possible media and lied about who she was in the first place so he can't find her) and chatting on MSN messenger with girls he met on some weird, music download chat site.

This was stuff he did as a teen and we struggled a little with defining "fidelity" in those first, difficult years but we had a son and made it work. I thought I could trust him, I really did. I went to bed and left him sitting there alone whereas 5 years ago I'd have camped the living room til I was dozing to somehow 'prevent' any kind of hurtful activity. It's insane to think that's how I used to live, but then... when I get online today to do some shopping I find literally two hours of searches for this girl and a history of him deleting his MSN chat history and various other things that make my stomach churn.

Here we are again. Where I can't trust him and I can't confront him. I didn't go checking the history, I am past that phase of my life; I was shopping and wanted to go back and find something I'd looked at earlier and there it all was. I'd forgotten about him being online all night until then.

I guess this isn't a question, it's a confession. Nobody will have the answer and half of you will get tired before you read all of it but you see I'm trapped in a situation that makes it very difficult to talk to people in my real life about this; I've worked really hard to maintain this illusion of perfection and intimacy that he likes to remind me is in my imagination. I just needed someone to talk to without changing the way they think about me and my family.

What to do?

Nothing. He will turn it around on me, get furious and threaten to leave if I bring it up because it's his tactic and I don't want to be a single mother. I think I can just tolerate it until my kids are older, until I can figure out how to make it work on my own without taking their father away from them. I just have to tolerate it. It's like swallowing fire and it will be hard to kiss him or touch him and when I do, I'll be thinking about his deceptions and it will feel gross for a while.

Then I'll forget a little and it wont hurt so much until it happens again. My daughter is 2 so that's only like 16 years. I'm sure it will be just fine.

Lastly... I have told him before a hundred times that there would come a day when I found out and it wouldn't hurt anymore and that would be when he needed to worry. I found this out today and it hurts, but not nearly as much. I haven't cried yet. I guess we're getting close to the danger zone; the place where not even love can save us.
KaiserSolze · 46-50, F
He's using triangulation. He "wants" his ex all the time but does he really? A woman who lied about who she was and blocked him. No he does not want her. He wants you to think he wants her.

He's messaging other women and deleting. Why didn't he delete the history? So you'd find it.

A hurt confused person is easier to manipulate.

I'd say something like "you didn't delete the history on purpose so I'd find it and I'd be hurt"

With my cheating ex I just used to say "I'm on to you" Then he'd tell lies and I'd say "You're only lieing to yourself"

Turn it back on him a bit.

I dunno though, that causes conflict.

But i definitely think he's using this stuff to triangulate you i.e. you are in constant competition with a ghost ex and anonymous people on MSN. For all you know he was chatting to guys - he deleted the messages not the history.

You're hurt and confused and silent because you "accidently" found this stuff - I think he meant you to find it.
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@KaiserSolze I think you're right and I appreciate your thoughtful reply.
Icantsoishant · 36-40, M
There is nothing wrong with saying “I’m not going to yell at you or get into a fight about this but as long as this is going on I don’t feel comfortable being physically intimate with you. You show no signs of changing or caring about me so I don’t want to interact with you physically.” It doesn’t have to be a threat of leaving but as afraid as you may be that you will end up a single mother you are also obviously afraid that things will never change. This would be a relatively low risk tactic and also puts you in a safer position should he decide to cheat in the physical and not just digital form.
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@Icantsoishant You know, I worried about writing this and then checking the messages because I was sure I'd get a lot of trolls saying terrible things and I haven't. Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply and taking time to read what I wrote. I appreciate more than I can say and I'll consider your advice carefully.
Icantsoishant · 36-40, M
I seem to be somewhat unique on here in that I’m not quick to say to dump someone on their ass just because they looked at you wrong, but I do believe in protecting yourself. I was on the other end of things in that I was the bad guy for a long time and have some insight into what worked on me. By all means if you have any more questions or just want to vent or have a different perspective maybe shed some light on your situation feel free to message me. Otherwise stay strong and be positive. You are a hero to your child for not immediately abandoning the father and as a father I appreciate your efforts.
frequentlyme · 70-79, M
You are going to get all sorts of advice, and most of it will be to leave him. It's obvious though, that you aren't there yet. I'm not going to give you one iota of advice, none. You know where you are, you see the truth of the situation, and that's good. We'll just be here for you when you need to talk. 🌻
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@frequentlyme Thank you so much for your kind comment. Finding this out didn't make me cry but the heartfelt comments of the people one SW have brought me to tears. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone <3
frequentlyme · 70-79, M
@Angelfire21 I and we are here for you. It's obvious you are strong, you will, whatever the outcome is, find you your way through this.
cd1019 · 41-45, M
Tell him to go ahead and leave you, and that you deserve someone who you can trust 100%.
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@cd1019 That's how I feel most of the time. I don't ask much, I don't think, and sometimes I wonder what's wrong with me that he can't just be happy with us... with his family. I know it's me letting him hurt ME, but he's a good father and my kids adore him. I used to love him also, now I feel nothing and it's scarier than when it hurt. Thanks for replying <3
cd1019 · 41-45, M
Anytime...hope everything turns out OK!
LTKISS · 56-60, M
Oh no, this is just not good.
This message was deleted by its author.
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@SW-User My mother was a single mom and we struggled. It's hard with two incomes as we are now, I can't imagine trying to make it on one. I keep telling myself that it will just be like a business arrangement until my children go off to college.
This message was deleted by its author.

 
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