Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

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

Please help me process what on earth went on with me and DP last night

539 replies

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 09:45

It was my birthday yesterday. DP came over after work and my main present was dinner somewhere nice local to me (this is what I had asked for). I’d arranged to have an empty house at mine for us so we’d have some time to ourselves.

Been together almost 2 years and been arguing a lot over the last few months. My kids caused some trouble between us and we both said some things that hurt the other and are trying to get through it. Argued earlier in the week about that but I genuinely felt that we were working through it.

Anyway, I don’t normally dress up but I put on a nice dress and heels. I know I looked nice as my DD said so. Answered the door to DP and he was really angry with how I was dressed as apparently he had turned up ‘looking like a scruff’ and it made him look back.

So no compliment on the effort I made and a couple of times thought the night made angry comments about it.

Other than that all fine at dinner. We got home and Dp went to sit in the garden and have a beer. It was dark and cold and I didn’t fancy being out there so I sat indoors entertaining myself playing music on the Alexa - not loud - and singing along to it. DP hates me singing along to music but I just thought well he’s outside, not listening and it’s my house and my birthday so I’ll entertain myself.

We then watched a TV show for an hour, all good.

Then just the weirdest thing happened - DP started having a go at me for playing Billie Jean and how he’d had to comment that MJ is a paedophile to make me stop playing it.

I was baffled as I don’t like MJ either, hadn’t played Billie Jean and didn’t know what he was talking about.

When I responded to that he got really angry going ‘I know what I heard, stop gaslighting me!!’ And I was literally like maybe it was coming from one of the kid’s Alexa’s upstairs and he went on and on about how I was telling him he was imagining things.

i said I wasn’t saying that just that I hadn’t played it. I said I’d been playing the charlatans as the last song and pulled out my play history on Amazon music and indeed it was the charlatans and a load of other 90s indie which is exactly my taste as he knows.

i thought that would just solve it all but it escalated and escalated about how he heard Billie Jean and I’d stopped as soon as he made the comment.

I said I hadn’t played Billie Jean but also it’s my house and if I wanted to play it I would.

I then decided I’d had enough and thanked him for ruining my birthday and went to bed. I didn’t know what else to do to de escalate things.

i could then see him on the drive waiting for a cab so I went down again to try and de escalate things. I said I felt the conversation was unnecessary and unkind, that I had no idea where he heard Billie Jean - he said it must have been on the TV I said maybe it was but I have no recollection of it or of the comment he made.

I tried to get him to calm down and come in, I just wanted a nice end to the evening but he wouldn’t back down.

It was the most ridiculous argument of my life and I also believe it has ended our relationship because where do we go from this?

Usually when we argue I initiate apologies and we smooth things over but I have no idea how or why I would apologise for playing a song I didn’t play. I feel like last night he was wanting an apology and it’s usually very easy to get one out of me, but not for something like this where I’ve done nothing.

His car is still outside so presumably he’ll come and get it today but I’ve heard nothing from him and don’t expect to.

This MUST be the end of our relationship right? I can’t live like this.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
mbonfield · Yesterday 12:29

Op I have been in your situation previously when a birthday is ruined happened to me caused by sons now ex wife. The other issue is you have your teen DD, would be better to focus on her that the waster that ruined your birthday.
If it not birthdays it is holidays that test a relationship.

In all honesty with your photo you will have no issues in finding a better friend that the one who ruined your birthday.

liveforsummer · Yesterday 12:35

I expect at some point he will change his tactic and attempt to minimise what happened and make you feel like you’re over reacting - expecting you to fall back in line a peg or 2 lower than before. Be ready for that!

Strikeout44 · Yesterday 12:36

'My kids caused some trouble between us and we both said some things that hurt the other and are trying to get through it.'

It sounds like your kids didn't like him either. Concentrate on working out what's going on with your 16 year old dd, hopefully now he's gone things will be easier to rebuild between you. She needs your time and headspace now, not that miserable old goat.

FoldItIn · Yesterday 12:38

I hope you find the strength somewhere to stay away from this person @everynowandthenifallapart personally I don't think you are there yet. I think if he rocked up with an apology you would fall for it but remember, you will be punished for it later.
He has treated you like shit since day dot and you have clung on... you really need to take a step back and work on you.
Break the cycle, especially for your daughter.

Happyjoe · Yesterday 12:39

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 12:10

There’s also other stuff about the way he minimises our relationship and makes a big deal of how he’d never ever marry me (i feel the same about remarrying btw) and it’s like I’m Mrs Right Now.

That was ok in the beginning as I wanted it to be causal too but we did fall in love and I don’t understand why he would simultaneously declare I’m the love of my life and that he wants no future with me.

He has confused the hell out of me and I’m glad he overplayed his hand last night as he’s show me who he really is.

Loads of kudos to you @everynowandthenifallapart You've been so strong, fair and just seen through his crap. It's always lovely to see women value their worth and get rid of the idiots. Am glad you feel relief now you've ended it, that tells you everything you need to know about this relationship.
If the next one you meet has red flags, don't rationalise, tell em to go.

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 12:41

I’ve said I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out and he’s said he’s sorry it hasn’t worked out either and he’s sure it could have been fixed.

Fixed by me sucking up his behaviour I guess is what he means as he has not apologised at all for last night and - as others have said - it seems like this was his next step to groom me into accepting more horrible behaviour.

Id come grovelling back this morning and he’d know he could get away with even worse behaviour than before.

OP posts:
MNLurker1345 · Yesterday 12:45

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 11:03

He’s replied ok if that’s what you want and suggested a time to collect his stuff.

So he’s not remotely sorry for his behaviour

No he really is not sorry. He wanted to end it but rather than behaving in a mature and adult way, he spoils your birthday and disrespects you in order for you to do it.

@everynowandthenifallapart, you really have done the right thing because if you didn’t you would have enabled him to continue with his despicable behaviour. And he would have.

It is a pity about your relationship with his daughter but she most probably knows what an arse her DF is.

Could he be a bit jealous of you?

diddl · Yesterday 12:47

'My kids caused some trouble between us and we both said some things that hurt the other and are trying to get through it.'

Do they dislike him?

Honestly it's been 2yrs, you have no kids together.

It should still be easy, not at the stage of "trying to get through it"

99bottlesofkombucha · Yesterday 12:48

You enjoy singing along to music, it was your birthday and you were letting yourself sing along to music, it was ok BECAUSE HE WAS OUTSIDE. That is 100% controlling!!

TheSmellOfSea · Yesterday 12:51

99bottlesofkombucha · Yesterday 12:48

You enjoy singing along to music, it was your birthday and you were letting yourself sing along to music, it was ok BECAUSE HE WAS OUTSIDE. That is 100% controlling!!

Yes I couldn't get over that. So many red flags.

Keep strong @everynowandthenifallapart

RB68 · Yesterday 12:53

Life is just too short for this kind of behaviour. Ditch and live happliy ever after

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 12:54

The more I think about it the more fucking weird the whole thing is.

He doesn’t ever want to be thought of as controlling but then he starts an argument about what music it is permissible for me to play in my own home.

Like if I had been playing MJ does he really think it’s acceptable to tell me what I’m allowed to listen to?

It is so absolutely fucking fucked up.

OP posts:
malefields · Yesterday 12:54

He’s trying to find things to argue about. Any chance there’s a new woman on the horizon?

Ihaveneedofwaternear · Yesterday 12:57

I think you're being very restrained, OP. I'd be desperate to be telling him it absolutely couldn't have been fixed as I would be tolerating his controlling, joyless attitude.

Ethelspagetti · Yesterday 12:59

ElectoralControversy · Yesterday 09:50

I have no idea how or why I would apologise for playing a song I didn’t play

The fact that you're even considering it is a bit worrying... don't forget you also need to apologise for "looking too nice" 😕

Do you really think it's worth this level of desperate effort on your part to keep the two of you together? He's clearly not interested in making any kind of effort even just to get along with you.

Agreed. How can you apologise for looking too nice and for not playing billie Jean?!!! This one needs to go. You CAN do so much better.

ForMerryPinkCat · Yesterday 13:00

Babe throw the whole man in the bin. You deserve so much better and someone who loves and supports you.

everynowandthenifallapart · Yesterday 13:02

He’s coming at 2.30 to collect his stuff. I’m in but the lounge is at the back of the house I’ve deadlocked the door and can see on the ring doorbell when he arrives and leaves

OP posts:
KookyFish · Yesterday 13:03

The only thing you need to concentrate on now is how fabulous you are going to make your next birthday! I smell a solo holiday coming, get something planned in! And good luck in your new amazing arsehole free Life xxx

tartyflette · Yesterday 13:06

Christ. Life’s too short for this bollocks. You know what to do.

Forthetrees · Yesterday 13:06

Have you read It's not you by Dr Ramani? Her YouTube videos are good too. Stay strong and enjoy your freedom.

MeekSqueak · Yesterday 13:07

End the relationship now, he sounds batshit

vickylou78 · Yesterday 13:08

I think you've escaped Op!! His response and lack of concern over breaking up tells you a lot. He doesn't care about you!

You deserve a partner who builds you up not knocks you down! You deserve someone who does nice things for your birthday and tries to please you. You deserve someone who compliments you. You need someone who accepts you listening to whatever music you want in your own house! He is a controlling arse.

Id celebrate by getting your dress and heels on, and having a MJ music marathon! And get out there with some girl friends if you can.

Lsquiggles · Yesterday 13:08

You looked great btw!!

This is really odd behaviour, it's best you got out now before it escalated further

swimsong · Yesterday 13:08

"Other than that..."

That's enough.
Chuck him.

vickylou78 · Yesterday 13:09

Yes agree. Id be glad I hadn't wasted any more years with him!