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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel I've been played

170 replies

Courtney555 · 06/08/2018 00:18

Sorry in advance for a potentially long thread.

Have been with OH for two years now. He lives with me the majority of the time.

At the start, he'd been out of a 7yr relationship for 3 months. I was with someone I loved dearly, but was leaving the country so it ended. The main difference being OH was dumped and was bitter about it. My then bf and I did not have any animosity.

OH and I really hit it off. I wanted to keep it casual. He insisted on a relationship, so I agreed to try and see where it went. It was lots of fun, summer romance. Then one afternoon, he sent me a photo of the ex as he was cleaning his flat one day saying "hard to throw away" (this was 4 months in) and I found it not only insensitive, but also insulting as she is (being blunt) noticeably unattractive. He was still obviously bitter. So I made extra effort, cooking really nice meals, doted on him, even arranged a therapist.

Shortly after, he then refused to make any acknowledgement of me on social media... Which usually I wouldn't give a toss about, and his explanation was "I don't do social media"... Except he had hundreds of pictures of everyone BUT me. All exes, friends, family. I wasn't even acknowledged, you would never know I existed. When pointing it out, I was snapped at. To this day he has never initiated a picture of us together. I believe two exist.

I cover all household expenses. It's my house I guess... But it's not just me living in it. In the two years when I've pointed out he makes no contribution, he uses the strange excuse that he can't as we don't have a joint account. In the last 12mths he has made some contributions to grocery shopping.

He has no outgoings. If he's not here, he's at his familys, with all bills covered by them.

His family are rude and dismissive to me. Came to my house once, to pick up their car that he drives, as he'd gone away for work, and behaved in a manner as such I felt awkward in my own home. I brought it up, and after refusing to believe me, he eventually spoke to them. They lied, he called me a liar and as a result, I don't go to any social events so they don't have to acknowledge their behaviour. They've met me twice. I've invited them to dinner, and they didn't even respond.

He's never taken me out. Not once. On the very very rare occasions we have been anywhere, it's a local Chinese or something at my organisation. I pay most often. He's certainly never arranged anything for me.

His birthday, I bought him a whole new snowboarding wardrobe. My birthday (he works away) I didn't even get a card. I did get to sign for something he'd bought for himself and had sent to the house though!!

His ex was a cheat, who gave him an std, and yet she was given the world and he won't hear a bad word. He passed this std on to me as well, which I was so decent about, telling him, it's OK, these things happen, and I feel very few women would have been as calm as I was. He was of course apologetic. I've never had anything before. It wasn't his fault, but I feel it's one more example of me giving my all when I really had every reason not to, and his constant feeling entitled to nothing less from me.

I'm a qualified professional, with my own house, car, great job... And I "get" nothing so to speak. No thoughtfulness, no dates, no flowers, no little surprises. If I point this out, I'm "obsessed with the ex" which is honestly, laughable. I explain that I'm drawing reference to show that he obviously understands how to do nice things for other people, why am I treated so differently. Again, he rants that I'm digging up his past, to avoid the question.

He's very molly coddled. At 33. The sister, 40, is an absolute failure, (4 kids, no house, no job and a drunk boyfriend who's hit her in front of said children) but they are both treated as prodigal children by the family, and they all make excuses for why none of them are ever at fault... So I do understand that his upbringing plays a part here, but not in the way he disrespects me in so many ways compared to all previous relationships.

Am I being plain stupid in pursuing this any longer? He isn't a bad person. He's fairly good with my son. I'm just fed up of bringing everything I do to the table, which he's quite happy to take, and his ungrateful actions in return.

Am I sounding stupid. Am I holding out for someone who's never going to treat me any differently and always have an excuse why?

I ended it today. Aibu?

OP posts:
itsBritneyBeach · 06/08/2018 00:24

I was about to go into a full on rant until I read that you've ended it.

Good god woman!!! OBVIOUSLY you're not being unreasonable, he's a prize bellend Shock the moment he sent that picture that was "hard to throw away" should have screamed RUN!

You were his comfortable, safe option where he could do fuck all and live happily. Thank GOD you've binned him! Well done you! But don't ever be taken for this much of a mug again WinkThanks

DonttouchthatLarry · 06/08/2018 00:25

Well done is all I can say! He sounds dreadful and no great loss. He wouldn't have been living with me for 2 years without contributing.

itsBritneyBeach · 06/08/2018 00:26

However, no need to be mean about his sister as I'm sure she's not exactly happy with her life as you've described. And the STD was absolutely his fault - get checked again ASAP for your own peace of mind!

Hisnamesblaine · 06/08/2018 00:26

Red your post back to yourself. He is loser and he is no respect for you. Keep him out of your life forever

Pipsqueak11 · 06/08/2018 00:28

You made the right decision. What a shit he is! You deserve so much better Flowers

LanguidLobster · 06/08/2018 00:31

He's awful, onwards and upwards Flowers

Courtney555 · 06/08/2018 00:36

I should clarify... About the sister... I've worked as a lapdancer. Not common knowledge. At all. She met me, thought I was "lovely" (I am!! 😁) then a few months later found out and declared I was unsuitable to come into contact with her children. Never mind that I'm a chartered accountant, with a degree. Or that they would have zero idea. God forbid they ever meet someone like me whose achieved a lot and worked damn hard for it. Which would be a lot easier to swallow, were it not coming from a woman who had 4 kids all supported by the state and taken up residence with a drunk who hits her, but see that as suitable.

OP posts:
Needsmorebeans · 06/08/2018 00:40

When I read threads like these, I always want to ask the OP to read back what they have written and try and find any reasons to keep the relationship going because I can't see any! I was relieved to get to the end of yours to see you have ended it. He was doing nothing for you. You have so much going for you without him.

itsBritneyBeach · 06/08/2018 00:42

@Courtney555 fair fucking dos! Sod the lot of them then. Well done for getting rid - and if in doubt... read your post back!! Grin

Courtney555 · 06/08/2018 00:45

We do have a lot in common. There are good parts or I wouldn't even be on here feeling shit about it. Maybe I feel they I've invested so much I can't let go because that's facing up to how much I've been used.

It's just... Bugger it I'm just going to say it... I am hands down, the best thing that's ever happened to him. By a country mile. Trumpet blown and all that.

So why???? Why treat 3,4 exes who have been cheats, sponges, and really no oil paintings, all so well... And only me like a Grade A tw*t.

OP posts:
Stepmum3 · 06/08/2018 00:45

You totally did the right thing. Sounds like a right cf.

Ills88 · 06/08/2018 00:51

I was going to say "run and don't look back" but then I saw "I ended it today" and in my opinion it's the best thing you could have done! Good for you!

Coyoacan · 06/08/2018 00:51

Well done for getting rid, OP. He must think he is god's gift. But as someone with quite a few failures in my life, I do not like the way you refer to his sister.

callmeadoctor · 06/08/2018 00:51

There were good parts????????????????????????

travellinglighter · 06/08/2018 00:53

You sound amazing, go out and find someone else amazing.

Passingwords · 06/08/2018 00:54

OP you may have been used, but by carrying on the relationship ( becasuse you've invested "wasted" so much) you are allowing him to use you as you've now identified that's what he's doing. Well done for getting rid. Work on your self esteem you deserve better

TheCakeCrusader · 06/08/2018 00:54

Yes, you’ve been played so ywnbu!

From your own description of this person, I can’t see any positives to the relationship whatsoever with him- a total time waster and user!

Having been in a similar type of relationship many years ago with someone who was equally a user, I’m glad to hear that you have ditched him! Hopefully, it’s a permanent decision.

Don’t waste anymore time on this loser!

Smallhorse · 06/08/2018 00:57

Well done OP
are you feeling sad or relieved ? Both?

notapizzaeater · 06/08/2018 01:02

No you are not being unreasonable- you've put up with a lot more than most.

Birdsgottafly · 06/08/2018 01:03

Do you know the exs? because if you don't, don't take his, or his family's description as gospel.

You seem very down on other Women, whilst you are prepared to overlook the obvious faults of Men.

You have to ask yourself why you settled for so little, for so long, so you don't do it again.

ElenOfTheWays · 06/08/2018 01:04

2So why???? Why treat 3,4 exes who have been cheats, sponges, and really no oil paintings, all so well... And only me like a Grade A twt.

Because you let him.

He probably knew damn well he didn't deserve you. Sounds almost as if he was seeing how much he could get away with.

Had you been a bitch to him, he'd probably have taken it and fawned all over you. Classic beta male. Your niceness was seen as weakness to exploit. He's damaged. You're well rid.

Courtney555 · 06/08/2018 01:04

I don't think he thinks he's gods gift. I think his family have almost drummed it into him.

I just don't get why I'm treated like this when every other person has frankly been a real scrit and "got" so much more.

I wondered if he's on the lines of, well, women have f*cked me over my whole life so I'll just look out for myself.

I do sympathise with that slightly, if I'd been cheated on, screwed over etc, I'd be guarded for sure.

But two years in? When I've single handedly covered every bill? When I do all the cooking, the laundry. Drive us everywhere. Wrap his families Christmas presents. Make them Easter hampers (and should point out none of them have ever bought me or my son a birthday, Christmas or Easter card, let alone gift)....

OP posts:
ElenOfTheWays · 06/08/2018 01:06

Oooh bold fail. Confused

cees · 06/08/2018 01:14

You did the right thing, he was taking advantage of you.

DoJo · 06/08/2018 01:15

So why???? Why treat 3,4 exes who have been cheats, sponges, and really no oil paintings, all so well... And only me like a Grade A twt.*

You keep mentioning the other women's looks as though attractiveness somehow earns you the right to be respected- it doesn't, as you have discovered. I imagine he treated his exes better than he treats you because they wouldn't have it up with the crap he's doled out your direction, which begs the question why have you out up with his bullshit for so long? He doedn't contribute to the house he lives in, he gave you an std, he doesn't demonstrate even the length of thoughtfulness you'd expect from stranger and he's only 'fairly good' with your son. Why on earth have you allowed him to sponge off you for so long? You clearly deserve much better, even if that means being on your own and not subsidising this rude, selfish idiot.