wow...what a long message. I totally symapthise with how you are feeling. I am speaking from a womans point and as a mother. I think that your long term partner and mother of your child has acted slighty, well not slightly..very irresponsibly actually. Rather than texting the 'other man' or speaking about your relationship to her sister. She should have been speaking about it to you. I can understand that you say you are not too good about feelings or expressing emotion..alot of men aren't..so you are not alone hun....believe me. Re: her feeling flattered by the attention she was getting from the other man, or thought she was getting, could have just been possibly something to do with the emotions of having a young child to care for, feeling tired and possibly feeling ever so slightly uncared for by you...I am so sorry about you living with the guilt of your sister dying however. Yes, your mother was wrong to blame you. But, during times of grief it it the ones closest that we hurt the most. The ones we love and care for the most...your mother was grieving..but so were you and the rest of your family. Your mother was possible just venting her grief at someone and you just happened to be there! I really think you should have some counselling about this though as you have lived with it along time and has had a huge effect on you as an adult. Your gp will be able to help you re: this issue. Go and make an appointment and i am sure you will find it alot of help to speak to someone. Re: your relationshop RELATE are great....google it for your local one and possible see if your ex would go anlong and speak with you, to someone about your issues etc. Also, in the meantime you could write a list of all the things you would like to say to your partner or even write her a letter. Tell her all the things you put on here..how you feel etc, about why you feel you can not open up about feelings. It is alot easier sometimes to write down everything than to say it. You have been together along time hun..I am sure she loves you deeply. After all, you have a child together and maybe she has just moved out for a bit of breathing space for a while. Maybe, she and you will feel alot better after a bit of a break..you never know!!! All the best to you..chin up