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Am I being unreasonable to want to hold this woman to account?

209 replies

VickyPollard25 · 14/07/2024 18:45

I met a man on Bumble. He pushed me into a relationship pretty quickly (a matter of weeks and he was wanting to get married). I was mid-divorce and would usually be stronger and have my wits about me, but was quite vulnerable with all that was going on. He ambushed me into meeting his kids - ie. Date at his place and suddenly they turn up unexpectedly to me (they don’t live at his home as they are older - he is much older than me). So many red flags and I felt unsettled. Out of the blue he goes to Hong Kong for work. He messages me a strange message saying he suddenly feels very protective of me. It was odd. He gets back and tells me he caught up with an “old friend” who says she knows me and warned him about me. Apparently she had a lot of terrible things to say, hence him feeling protective. 🙄 He tells me she says I am from the wrong side of the tracks (my parents are dirt poor, I went to the wrong schools and a bad university, etc), I have no friends and my job is a joke. This is a summary - she also commented on things based on personal info you could find out if you internet stalked me. I was actually quite devastated to hear all this. I pushed him for this friend’s details and it turns out that it wasn’t an old friend of his, but another woman he had met online and had been dating. She had never met me and I’d never heard of her. He told me he told her that he couldn’t see her anymore because he had met someone and gave her all my details. They looked up my Linked In profile together… Absolutely appalling behaviour by him.

I’m reeling from the idea that someone would say these things about someone she’s never met. I’ve skimmed over it but they are really hurtful nasty things that she’s invented. I’ve never come across anything like it. He defended her, saying she had was in her 40s and had never had a serious relationship and after several miscarriages was looking for a sperm donor and he had offered.

This was drip fed to me after a lot of lying. Then it turns out this woman has called my work (an international bank) to reach out to former colleagues of hers to pass on terrible things about me.

Clearly he has stirred up a lot of trouble and deserved to be binned. But what about her? Is this crazy behaviour or what? I feel I can’t just leave it.

Am I being unreasonable to want to hold her to account for calling my work and making about blatant lies about me?

OP posts:
Whothefuckdoesthat · 15/07/2024 07:32

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 05:47

Sadly it is real. He gave me her name, and the name of the man she called at my work. I suspect the call was to gain some information and also bad mouth me. I don’t know this man but apparently he confirmed me and my whole team are lazy paper pushers. Mortified. I raised it with my line manager who was sympathetic and suspicious of this creep from Bumble.

And this is just insane.

Someone in your company received a phone call from a complete stranger and disclosed that you and your team were lazy paper pushers? Yeah, that definitely never happened. I mean, I don’t doubt he told you that it had happened, but I don’t believe for a second that it did.

Poettree · 15/07/2024 07:32

So strange. Like threatening you with reputational damage and career damage via a 'crazy woman.'

I honestly think the best thing you can do, as others have said, is to lock down your social media settings, report him to dating site and block him completely so he can't find you again. He is either unhinged or out for money.

icelollycraving · 15/07/2024 07:28

This is bizarre.
How do you know his ex went to the police about him? Is this something he’s told you?
I would let HR know you potentially have a stalking situation and I’d also call police to seek advice.
I would either tighten up all social media or deactivate it. I can understand you enjoying dating. but I think this shows you you’re not ready for all the madness that can come with it if your screening sensors are off.
Sorry if I missed it, do you kids? Have you told them?

Whothefuckdoesthat · 15/07/2024 07:27

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:31

I think you are right - my picker is off. And I understand now some people look for those going through significant life changes (like divorce) as easy pickings.

To be very clear - I am not dating him anymore. He was binned. The question about holding her to account is because she not only made up some very nasty s d hurtful lies about me, but contacted my work in an effort to discredit me. I’m a stranger to her!

He’s lied to you and manipulated you from day one. Why are you so determined to believe him now? Yes, she exists. But all you’ve got to prove that she made up anything about you is his word. And how much is his word worth?

I think they were probably talking on line and she distanced herself as soon as she realised he was mental. He’s then used her name to try and destabilise you. He may well use your name to destabilise the next poor woman he meets.

Andwegoroundagain · 15/07/2024 07:13

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:11

She doesn’t work at the same company as me.

It’s completely bizarre behaviour, I agree. He said it stems from her desperation to have a baby and inability to find a man to do it with. I suspect these are fears he has capitalised on and manipulated her into acting out. I don’t know. I just really fear them both.

Even though she doesn't work at your company I'd report both names to HR and brief on what's happened. So they can be aware in case any malicious rumours are spread or any further calls etc. This is to protect you

ludocris · 15/07/2024 07:01

This is insane. I also think this woman doesn't exist. OP it sounds like you still believe she's real - can you specify what makes you think that? Because all of the things you say she has done/information she has (eg the name of the person you work with) is information this man could have found for himself.

JollyGreenSleeves · 15/07/2024 06:42

Agree with what’s everyone else said but also why are you even on dating apps? You’re clearly not ready and don’t need the drama in the middle of your divorce. And saying ‘he pushed me’ into a relationship with him? You are accountable for your own actions so definitely take the time to look at why you jumped head first into a relationship with a bloke you’d only just met and knew nothing about. This is really important if you have young children as it suggests you lack boundaries and judgement.

muddyford · 15/07/2024 06:40

I doubt she even exists. Tell him it's not working for you and delete him.

RoseUnder · 15/07/2024 06:39

What a lucky escape you’ve had OP

However someone so manipulative and cruel may still want to hurt you even from afar, so use your imagination and think of possible weak points so you can protect yourself.

Eg at work give both his and her name to your manager or HR and say they are trying to attack your professional reputation (defamation etc) - just in case he does just that and makes some kind of allegation. Better to cover your back.

TheLeadbetterLife · 15/07/2024 06:39

OP have you actually confirmed with the man at your work that this “woman” called him? I doubt she exists at all. Crazy Bumble man has fabricated the whole thing, most likely, including her online profiles.

Beautiful3 · 15/07/2024 06:38

I bet you this woman doesn't even exist! Break up with him.and block him everywhere. You know better than to hang out with crazies, you can do better. Tell your boss that an ex keeps making trouble, so to expect phone calls/emails from himnpretwnding to be other people etc.

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:36

StarDolphins · 14/07/2024 22:17

Totally missing the point here but anyone that mentioned marriage to me within weeks would never see me again.

No, that’s an excellent point. It’s love bombing. That should have been my clue to get out! It’s these first red flags the we ignore that lead to bigger trouble. If I’d walked away then, I wouldn’t be in this mess now.

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:34

Cosmosforbreakfast · 14/07/2024 22:15

I doubt this woman even exists and he's making it all up so you see him as some sort of saviour, someone to depend on, he's trying to get control of you. Do you know for sure someone contacted anyone in your workplace? Has anyone in your workplace confirmed this to you? Block him, have nothing more to do with him, move on. Secure your social media accounts. He preyed on you, knowing you were vulnerable going through a divorce.

Thank you. Very sensible.

He did prey on me. Even suggested I stop work and live off him… !!!! I knew it was over very early on. I just can’t believe so much weirdness can manifest in such a short time!

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:31

NonPlayerCharacter · 15/07/2024 06:26

As soon as I read the OP I thought that she doesn't exist and he's not only stalking you online but also some random woman in order to set this up, or just invented her entirely, more likely. Glad so many others thought the same but it's worrying that you didn't. And then, even if she were real, you still thought she needed holding to account instead of him, even though he's the one you're dating and tricked you into meeting the kids etc?

I don't mean that in a rude or critical way, but it's a sign that you may not be ready to date yet because your picker is off. As you say yourself, you're very vulnerable right now.

Edited

I think you are right - my picker is off. And I understand now some people look for those going through significant life changes (like divorce) as easy pickings.

To be very clear - I am not dating him anymore. He was binned. The question about holding her to account is because she not only made up some very nasty s d hurtful lies about me, but contacted my work in an effort to discredit me. I’m a stranger to her!

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:28

Qwerty111 · 14/07/2024 22:08

As a rule of thumb, it’s usually the case that when “someone else” said awful things about you… the “someone else” doesn’t exist. The opinions are those of the speaker.

The source of my great wisdom in this matter is my MIL . She likes to quote other people who are shocked and disgusted that her sons’ wives don’t do more for her.

Thanks - but it’s information about who attended my wedding etc. things you would see in a photo

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:26

MounjaroUser · 14/07/2024 20:59

It sounds as though he has serious mental health problems.

BTW do you pay a subscription for LinkedIn? If so you can see who's looking at your profile.

I don’t have a subscription, but I have blocked them both.

I agree - I do think he has serious mental health problems

OP posts:
NonPlayerCharacter · 15/07/2024 06:26

As soon as I read the OP I thought that she doesn't exist and he's not only stalking you online but also some random woman in order to set this up, or just invented her entirely, more likely. Glad so many others thought the same but it's worrying that you didn't. And then, even if she were real, you still thought she needed holding to account instead of him, even though he's the one you're dating and tricked you into meeting the kids etc?

I don't mean that in a rude or critical way, but it's a sign that you may not be ready to date yet because your picker is off. As you say yourself, you're very vulnerable right now.

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:24

BeckiWithAnI · 14/07/2024 21:28

She hasn’t said a damn thing, if she’s even real anyway. This is all him orchestrating some scenario where you are a poor, defenseless woman and he swoops in as your hero to defend your honour.
He probably sensed you were cooling off to his love bombing so needed to make a play to make you insecure again.
Contacting this woman who may or may not exist is a bit weird to be honest. Even if she is real and did say those things, so what? She doesn’t know you and was just making a play for him. It’s very much about HIM, not you and she’s bloody welcome to this crazy misogynist.
But as I say, I doubt very much that if she’s even real she said anything of the sort. He’s just playing you.

Thank you. I do think this woman is very real, but he has orchestrated this entire thing. I agree, it’s a game for him.

I think you are right about her too - it’s her play for him. And she is absolutely welcome to him.

I can’t believe people like this exist. I have never in my life come across anything like it.

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:20

newbeggins · 14/07/2024 21:03

I don't see how you can hold her to account, only him. As already recommended, clean up your social media, explain to line manager that someone has a vendetta against you.

It's up to you if you want to continue being in contact with this man. It sounds like (if his story is true) he already has a woman in his life.

I absolutely do not want to continue being in contact with this man. And I doubt it’s just one woman.

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:19

Sillystrumpet · 14/07/2024 21:01

Don’t stoke the fires. Back away fast. From both. I hope you’ve already ended it with him. And he’s offered to be a sperm donor, serously?

Re the sperm donor thing - So he says. He showed me text messages where she is angrily saying “You are the one who offered to make a donation!” So he has no respect for her privacy or anything else that went on between them. It’s all just worse than the worst horror movie.

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:17

Cnidarian · 14/07/2024 21:01

Whether she exists or not, this man is very dangerous and will decimate your mental health. Run, don't embroil any more in this, it won't bring you any solace to punish her even if you could it will just entangle you further with this headfuck of an excuse for a man. Disengage, disentangle.

Thank you. This is exactly right. I really feel it has had a hugely negative impact on my mental health.

I reached out to a counsellor for him because I thought he needed help managing his “narcissistic” ex wife. Can you believe it? Such an idiot. The counsellor spoke to me for an hour and suggested I take up therapy myself as it’s not my role to try and arrange it for someone else, and I really need support to exit this situation and work through why I was able to be manipulated into it in the first place. She thinks he sound like he is exhibiting narcissistic behaviours himself…

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:11

Andwegoroundagain · 14/07/2024 20:57

Do you know her name ? If so then report to HR that you are being harassed by her in case she calls again and stirs up trouble. Very very wierd behaviour

She doesn’t work at the same company as me.

It’s completely bizarre behaviour, I agree. He said it stems from her desperation to have a baby and inability to find a man to do it with. I suspect these are fears he has capitalised on and manipulated her into acting out. I don’t know. I just really fear them both.

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 15/07/2024 06:09

They both sound as mad as a box of frogs. What sort of man discusses his girlfriend with some random bunnyboiler looking for a sperm donor?

And definitely stalker-territory on her part. I'd dump and block.

Slow down, enjoy being on your own for a while. Be more careful and take more care of yourself.

VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:09

Greenlittecat · 14/07/2024 20:36

Sounds absolutely insanely! You poor thing.

Honestly just block and ignore ❤️

I hope he doesn't know where you live!!.

Thank you, that’s very kind.

He does know where I live but his ex wife has made so many police reports against him that I think he would be hesitant to do anything to get another one from another woman. (Yes, more giant red flags - this all happened very quickly and yes, the answer is to block and remove myself from the situation as so many people have said.)

OP posts:
VickyPollard25 · 15/07/2024 06:06

WigglyVonWaggly · 14/07/2024 21:00

Then it turns out this woman has called my work (an international bank) to reach out to former colleagues of hers to pass on terrible things about me.

What evidence do you have of this? Did ‘she’ call for sure? Can your colleagues confirm they spoke to a woman they definitely know?
As I suspect that ‘she’ is him and he’s a nutter. He’s already showing that he lies. Why on earth would he tell her such private things then report these equally private criticisms of hers back to you unless he’s the sort of nasty bastard that delights in making people feel utterly shit? Why would she ring old colleagues to tell them such odd things about a stranger?

Edited

“unless he’s the sort of nasty bastard that delights in making people feel utterly shit?”

I think this is the key here. And goodness knows what the man she apparently called thinks, if it’s even true that she called him. I think she did as the creep gave me his name and I looked him up and he exists.

I find the whole thing so hard to get my head around - some random man getting calls about from some woman I’ve never met. None of these people know me, know my work, or know any of my friends or family. It feels all very screwed up.

OP posts:
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