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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel that dp is a coward?

404 replies

Notacoward · 06/11/2024 11:55

I'll start by saying there's context but I'll give the event first, then context for ease.

DP and I were involved in an incident yesterday with a group of people that was potentially life threatening. There was an accident where a few of the group were in danger - two of us stayed and did our best in the situation, checked each other were OK, and then looked for dp. He had ran away! Completely abandoned everyone to look after himself. I get that he must have been terrified but context....

He's ex forces and points out how brave he is all the time. He calls me weak and scared because I am more conscious of h+s and potential dangers. Years ago, he was posted in a safe country (military base) and I was a civvy based in another dangerous country (war torn) across the water. I was there during a difficult time and he often tells me how much better he would have dealt with it than me. Incidentally, I didn't run away and leave anyone and conducted myself well at that time, but I didn't like it when we left because I was physically and mentally spent and not in the headspace to be in an aircraft so took a Xanex to get through the journey (weak apparently). I dont even like rollercoasters. He often takes the piss. He wears his veteran badge on his jacket with ME country in question (and rightfully so), but I (the civvy) was actually in it, and the closest he got, despite him telling me how weak I am, was this base in another country - but he's much braver than me, you know? And yet yesterday, he ran off and left me and the others to try to protect one another.

I can't shake the feeling that he's a bit of a fanny. I wouldn't judge if it was anyone else, what happened was scary, but the fact he's banged on about being so strong and brave has made me feel a bit sick now I've seen his terror, and I can't look at him the same. I felt scared but I'd never run off - fear and courage can be displayed by the same person at the same time. I'm on painkillers at the min (minimal injuries really, it's a miracle) so maybe they're talking, so I won't confide in anyone irl, but please tell me if AIBU? I'm prepared to accept it if I am, I know people deal with danger in different ways. If I'm being a prick about him, I will hold my hands up and accept it.

OP posts:
AmIEnough · 13/11/2024 06:53

He’s either got very low self-esteem or he’s a misogynistic narcissist, I can’t quite decide. The fact that he asked what you would’ve done if he died really just tells me all I need to know. I would be reconsidering my relationship with this boy…

MrsCatE · 18/11/2024 04:19

OP has obviously decided to retract - I would have loved to know how he 'dug' himself out of the situation plus his stance on Remembrance Sunday; did he still March about with medals? I can imagine the few that are left and entitled to wear those Medals are too polite to point out he wasn't born or too young to have earned the right.

FictionalCharacter · 18/11/2024 19:03

MrsCatE · 18/11/2024 04:19

OP has obviously decided to retract - I would have loved to know how he 'dug' himself out of the situation plus his stance on Remembrance Sunday; did he still March about with medals? I can imagine the few that are left and entitled to wear those Medals are too polite to point out he wasn't born or too young to have earned the right.

OP clarified that it was a member of his family who wears the WW2 medals, not him.
But he's awful enough with the things he says to her, without being guilty of that.

SereneUmberExpert · 18/11/2024 19:05

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Ginkypig · 18/11/2024 19:19

WhingeInTheWillows · 06/11/2024 12:06

That’s very unattractive, not just the running away but the way he puts you down. I would expect my partner to be by my side no matter what.

when I read your opening post this is exactly what I was going to say.

running away is something he may not have been able to help although having been in situations with similar seriousness (I think as you obviously haven’t stated the exact circumstances) I would not and haven’t left a loved one in danger but I understand that’s not something everyone can control.

everything else in the post you wrote regarding you is just not on! I don’t know why you don’t seem to be absolutely outraged at the way he treats you!

MrsCatE · 19/11/2024 02:50

Now i'm worried @Notacoward please come back just to let us know there haven't been been further issues re your injuries. No need to update on decisions re your marriage. Best wishes. p.s typing in the dark so apologies re typos!

Notacoward · 19/11/2024 06:54

@MrsCatE I'm here. And it's over. But ai don't feel great - I feel devastated. I'm grieving for my marriage and the man who I loved. I know it's the strong thing to do, but I don't feel strong - I feel terrible. But it's the right choice. Get through the grief and start again. Apologies for not updating sooner - it feels like a bereavement and I can barely see through my tears to type this.

OP posts:
Notacoward · 19/11/2024 06:58

I'll also say that of course, when I starting watching him closely following it and particularly in the meeting back in the UK, I noticed other things. I'm just leaving for work now but I will update tonight when I finish. Ladies, I think if something is off and people say oh that one event doesn't mean anything, trust your intuition. In my case, it very much did.

OP posts:
powershowerforanhour · 19/11/2024 07:01

I'm sorry OP. All the good bits and good times deserve a bit of reflection too. You can't help how he turned out to be not what you thought- looking around my friends- mostly all in our 40s now-- I could not have predicted how their relationships would turn out and how some of the men that everyone would have thought were the nicest, steadiest pair of hands turned out to be- not, and nobody would have known.
Best of luck for the future.

Pelagi · 19/11/2024 07:09

Notacoward · 19/11/2024 06:54

@MrsCatE I'm here. And it's over. But ai don't feel great - I feel devastated. I'm grieving for my marriage and the man who I loved. I know it's the strong thing to do, but I don't feel strong - I feel terrible. But it's the right choice. Get through the grief and start again. Apologies for not updating sooner - it feels like a bereavement and I can barely see through my tears to type this.

Support and strength to you going forward. Divorce really is a grieving process, you are right. You will get through it though. It will take time but you will get there.

IVbumble · 19/11/2024 08:00

We're with you in the sad.

InconsideratelyThoughtful · 19/11/2024 10:22

It's so hard in the early days @Notacoward , we're here for you Flowers

Projectme · 19/11/2024 11:11

oh gosh, I'm so sorry to see your update. Hope you have friends and family helping you.

AutumnFroglets · 19/11/2024 11:22

I'm so sorry OP. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, once you open your eyes you start seeing lots of little warning signs and you can never go back to not seeing. The relationship is effectively over from that point on. Grieve. Grieve for what you have lost, for the past you thought you had and for your dreams and hopes of the future Flowers

MrsCatE · 19/11/2024 11:29

I'm sorry @Notacoward. I was literally concerned about the after effects of the incident on your health more than pathetic man. Yet you just back to normal and go to work - you're incredible and loads of good wishes!

FetchezLaVache · 19/11/2024 14:07

So sorry, OP, but you're right - you're being the strong one here, as we now know you have been all along.

BetterInColour · 19/11/2024 15:06

OP, I'm so sorry for your distress, you sound really distraught. Sadly I think you are right, often these events turn out to signal something else deep down. My guess is that this letting you down, bolstering of the self, and needing a lot of social approval (as he clearly has low self-esteem to say all these things) has played out in multiple ways, and you have found out about some of them, and known others for a long time. If you want a place to put those feelings, mumsnet is pretty good for support.

Notacoward · 19/11/2024 20:16

There's a woman on the scene. Who knew. What a way to have found out. There have been quite a few conversations over the last couple of weeks. So the accident didn't kill me but my life as I knew it is over.

OP posts:
itsmylife7 · 19/11/2024 20:18

Sorry to hear that OP.

Thepossibility · 19/11/2024 20:20

So he is a cheater and a coward?! You are well rid of that pathetic lump of a man x

Americano75 · 19/11/2024 20:21

The fucking rat.

PoppyTries · 19/11/2024 20:25

Americano75 · 19/11/2024 20:21

The fucking rat.

"Rat" doesn't even begin to describe what I think he is, you are far more polite than I am.

OP - I am sorry for you and your dc, but your cowardly STBX is now the other woman's problem. I hope you've explained to him that he's a coward and also shared with your group the true details of him running away. He deserves to be ostracized by every decent person.

At least now you don't have to spend any more time with his stolen valor relative?

TriangleLight · 19/11/2024 20:26

Oh, @Notacoward 💐 I feel for you.

You can get through this and be with someone who deserves you

barbarahunter · 19/11/2024 20:30

Oh , he really is no good. You will get through this, lass x

WiddlinDiddlin · 19/11/2024 20:42

Oh no.. ew. You are definitely well rid of this slime!

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