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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I respond to ex or not?

101 replies

omghesbackagain · 06/03/2024 00:00

Regular poster but NC. Back in 2019, I was in a relationship I thought was the one. Madly in love with him. Only together 1 year but we were early 30s, making plans to move in together, talk about marriage in the future, all his friends and family said it was the happiest they'd seen him. Only complication was I was separated (2 ys at that point), and going through a divorce (that he was aware of). It was amicable and had been my decision, my ex had moved on, there was no drama except randomly towards the end it got a bit heated over a property we owned. And I was stressed about it which seemed to upset this bf.

The divorce came through and it was the day I had to move some last bits from the house I sold to my exH. This guy insisted on helping me, hired a van, and I checked multiple times he was ok with it - said he was. On the day itself, no show. No message, completely uncontactable, and I had to show up at my ex's alone who ended up having to help me move (with his new partner's help) as the f*r hadn't even given me enough notice to hire a van. Heard from him 6 hours later saying he had been too hungover, but actually he wasn't sure he could deal with my 'demands' aka me messaging asking where he was, and broke up with me.

I was devastated and confused. Covid hit a month later. He got back in contact to 'check on me' and we started talking every day. I asked him point blank if we were getting back together and he told me he wasn't ready to commit until I had therapy to deal with my feelings over the divorce - he couldn't let go of it (!!!). Had an argument, he hung up on me. And then blocked me. This was Apr 2020. Hurt like hell at the time, not so much the break up but this horrible way he did it both times.

After almost FOUR YEARS of zero contact from him, I've now had a message asking how i am and whether i was interested in meeting for closure, but he'd understand if not....!!!

The kicker is I get married next month to my wonderful DP and we are in the process of buying a house together - happiest I've ever been. In the early days of the break up, I'd fantasise about him reaching out and what I'd say to him/how I'd feel. Turns out I feel nothing but mild irritation that he's arrogant enough to think I'm still holding out for closure...

So AIBU for not wanting to respond and ghost him like he did me all those years go? OR should I send a brief thanks but no thanks? What would you do? Meeting him is definitely not an option as it just feels weird and don't want to open a can of worms.

OP posts:
Tombero · 06/03/2024 08:45

I hope you are ok. Apologies but I do not think your request to meet sounds very healthy. Perhaps external professional help if you are struggling. It was all a very long time ago. I will block you now for your own benefit. Go well.

just because I think that will really piss him off!

mcmooberry · 06/03/2024 08:55

Aaaaagh would normally strongly advise leaving on read and not replying but I don't think you can miss the opportunity to let him know you are getting married and have moved right on. So maybe "Eh? I don't need closure, am getting married next month, all the best"

ShortColdandGrey · 06/03/2024 09:22

itscommonsensetime · 06/03/2024 00:04

Agree to meet him, ideally a decent distance from his house. Don’t turn up. When he gets in touch to find out where you are, tell him you’re hungover and you can’t deal with his demands. And then block.

😂I vote for this option

TeabySea · 06/03/2024 09:24

itscommonsensetime · 06/03/2024 00:04

Agree to meet him, ideally a decent distance from his house. Don’t turn up. When he gets in touch to find out where you are, tell him you’re hungover and you can’t deal with his demands. And then block.

I like your style!

Wishimaywishimight · 06/03/2024 09:39

itscommonsensetime · 06/03/2024 00:04

Agree to meet him, ideally a decent distance from his house. Don’t turn up. When he gets in touch to find out where you are, tell him you’re hungover and you can’t deal with his demands. And then block.

I think this would be tempting but I really wouldn't - it just tells him you have been dwelling on and remembering the exact circumstances under which he broke up with you and you really don't want him thinking you have given him that much oxygen!

I also think ignoring sends a message that he has somehow bothered you.

I would go with "Um, thanks but I'm getting married soon. "Closure" happened a looooong time ago 😊"

Nicebloomers · 06/03/2024 09:45

weaughteaughpeaugh · 06/03/2024 06:20

Is there any chance that he's got wind of your impending wedding? Could he be malicious enough to want to spoil things for you? I'd be very suspicious of this timing after 4 years and completely ignore him, to be honest. Otherwise, a simple "no thanks" as a PP suggested. Don't feed his ego.

This^

I’m team ‘I have no interest in rehashing the past thanks. Have a good life’ and then block.

IncompleteSenten · 06/03/2024 09:49

I'd reply with a simple no thanks, it really wasn't important enough to need "closure".

CeeceeBloomingdale · 06/03/2024 09:53

I would simply reply no thanks, I've moved on and block straight after. No need to disclose too much or open up a channel of communication, nor would I lower myself to his standards, the view is better from the moral high ground.

travelallthetime · 06/03/2024 10:05

I would reply something and block. I wouldnt even mention getting married, I have a feeling it is too coincidental that he doesnt know. A simple, Oh, I had closure years ago, no need thanks
or maybe, no thanks I moved on years ago, no need for you to contact me again. and block
I think they will piss him off more than anything, no need to divuldge any personal information, I suspect he knows it anyway, block so he cant reply

Imbusytodaysorry · 06/03/2024 10:06

CurlewKate · 06/03/2024 02:02

Don't tell him you don't need closure because you're getting married. You don't need closure because he's a shit and why would you bother. Just say "No".

Yes exactly

Lion400 · 06/03/2024 10:09

Ignore and block.

p1ppyL0ngstocking · 06/03/2024 10:29

I think something along the lines of:

"We dated for a few months many years ago and now I'm happily getting married to the love of my life; why would I need closure on what was essentially a bit of a fling?"

ancienticecream · 06/03/2024 10:39

"Nah, I'm good 👎"

FantasticButtocks · 06/03/2024 10:56

The reasons for my suggestion of the one word - Unnecessary are:
It was unnecessary of him to send the message
His offer to give you closure is unnecessary
It's unnecessary to say more
It's unnecessary to be in touch at all.
His presence in any form in your life is totally unnecessary.
If you give info re moving on or getting married etc you are giving the message that he is worth talking to, or that you want him to know things about you or your life, or that you have feelings (anger, hurt or whatever) about him, his message or your relationship with him.
You said he was cold. That one word UNNECESSARY is lovely and cold and dismissive of him, his message, its importance to you, his relevance to you. He and anything he has to say is simply not important enough to warrant more words or attention than that.
Unnecessary

Herdinggoats · 06/03/2024 11:46

Just ignore. Sounds like he is going through some sort of tidy up where he wants to feel better about himself and make amends. I wouldn’t give it any headspace at all. It’s his problem not yours

pikkumyy77 · 06/03/2024 11:54

Don’t bother to say you are married. Thanks, but no.

then block.

ZsaZsaTheCat · 06/03/2024 11:58

itscommonsensetime · 06/03/2024 00:04

Agree to meet him, ideally a decent distance from his house. Don’t turn up. When he gets in touch to find out where you are, tell him you’re hungover and you can’t deal with his demands. And then block.

😆😆😆😆

snowdrop2011 · 06/03/2024 13:01

I once was contacted by a guy I’d been chasing, quite pathetically for some time, a few months after I’d finally given up and stopped trying. I ignored his text and it felt like the best type of closure to be able to end by giving him the same type of blank space that he’d been giving me for months.

omghesbackagain · 06/03/2024 13:08

In the end I decided to just not reply! Seeing his message reminded me of how awful i felt at being blocked/ignored and there was nothing he wrote to indicate he was even apologetic. Knowing him he likely thinks he's doing me some big favour by offering me the chance to meet up. Not going to block as I've not done it before and don't want him thinking he affected me enough to start now. But I have deleted it. I doubt he'd message again - just chancing him arm that i'm still around for an ego boost, not getting a reply will have him reach out to someone else.

I remember his telling me he similarly broke up with his ex before me - got irritated that she wanted to go home from a party when he was stupid drunk And dumped her on the spot. Didn't talk to her for a month and then had a f2f catch up only to reiterate the dumping, and probably enjoy her grovelling or whatever. Made it seem like she was the demanding one spoiling his fun- ha! Nice to know he hasn't changed at all since.

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 06/03/2024 13:11

Block but love the response that you arrange a meeting and don't turn up as hungover...

TammyJones · 06/03/2024 13:26

weaughteaughpeaugh · 06/03/2024 06:20

Is there any chance that he's got wind of your impending wedding? Could he be malicious enough to want to spoil things for you? I'd be very suspicious of this timing after 4 years and completely ignore him, to be honest. Otherwise, a simple "no thanks" as a PP suggested. Don't feed his ego.

This was my thought - not that he could cause trouble , but didn't want to loose 'control' of an easy fall back plan.

RoseGoldEagle · 06/03/2024 13:30

omghesbackagain · 06/03/2024 13:08

In the end I decided to just not reply! Seeing his message reminded me of how awful i felt at being blocked/ignored and there was nothing he wrote to indicate he was even apologetic. Knowing him he likely thinks he's doing me some big favour by offering me the chance to meet up. Not going to block as I've not done it before and don't want him thinking he affected me enough to start now. But I have deleted it. I doubt he'd message again - just chancing him arm that i'm still around for an ego boost, not getting a reply will have him reach out to someone else.

I remember his telling me he similarly broke up with his ex before me - got irritated that she wanted to go home from a party when he was stupid drunk And dumped her on the spot. Didn't talk to her for a month and then had a f2f catch up only to reiterate the dumping, and probably enjoy her grovelling or whatever. Made it seem like she was the demanding one spoiling his fun- ha! Nice to know he hasn't changed at all since.

Nice one OP! I definitely think ignoring is best, he doesn’t deserve a single second more of your time. Have an amazing wedding day!

omghesbackagain · 06/03/2024 13:37

TammyJones · 06/03/2024 13:26

This was my thought - not that he could cause trouble , but didn't want to loose 'control' of an easy fall back plan.

Not sure he would know of my wedding as he came off social media and we don't have any friends in common. And I don't have any public profiles. But we used to be in the same running club, I left after the break up and not sure if he stayed. There is one guy in the club I work with and knows i'm engaged - not sure if they are friends. I can't imagine the guy from work discussing me tbh. They do say ex's have a radar for when women are about to move on from easy fall back plan mode, I bet it's that 🙄

OP posts:
Newestname002 · 06/03/2024 14:16

Tlittle · 06/03/2024 00:06

I would send a brief message saying that you are getting married soon and so therefore don't need any closure and then wish him well.
What he did was scummy and it is great that you have met someone better for you. x

@omghesbackagain

I think @Tlittle's response is best OP. Then immediately block and delete on all platforms. No need to give him any more headspace or opening for him to contact you in future. 🌹

Merryoldgoat · 06/03/2024 18:42

Tombero · 06/03/2024 08:45

I hope you are ok. Apologies but I do not think your request to meet sounds very healthy. Perhaps external professional help if you are struggling. It was all a very long time ago. I will block you now for your own benefit. Go well.

just because I think that will really piss him off!

Honestly - ‘go well’ is amazing.

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