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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was my boyfriend within his rights to say these cruel things to me?

313 replies

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:19

This may be long, but I’ll try and keep it short.

I have spent this morning extremely distressed, I’m questioning everything including my worth. I feel like a waste of space, from what he had said. I’m too upset to see the situation for what it is.

BF and I had been a bit on and off, but decided to make this official and things had been pretty much smooth sailing from then. We had one argument, that was resolved after we both agreed it was a misunderstanding.

We’ve had very minor disagreements, but no arguments aside from that until yesterday.

He makes significantly more than me, this around 5x more. We don’t live together. He tends to pay for meals out etc. and likes to treat me with things like flowers, but I have never asked for him to pay for anything. I do also pay for myself for other things too.

When we were shopping he had separated our things and said ‘I’ll put your things separately’ referring to the ingredients for our dinner that I was going to cook. He usually eats the majority of our meals (understandably), so I was slightly irritated by this and told him that, but it wasn’t a big deal.

The next day, he made a lemon drizzle cake with my son (he paid for the ingredients) and said he was going to take it home, since he had paid for it and had baked it. I had pointed out this feels like a bit of a double standard, a bit irritating but again not a big deal. He says that he pays for a lot of things for me, I agreed. He then said he spends about £200 per month on me, for which I categorically disagreed. He said he wasn’t going to buy me anything again.

A few minutes later I asked how long until the cake was done, he told me and I said ok when it’s finished you can leave. I was upset and didn’t want him there.

I heard a bang as he left, and I thought he had thrown my son’s car seat into the house, I text him to say it was childish but he says he didn’t throw it and I believe him.

He sent me a text saying that until I apologise, not to contact him. I said I won’t be contacting him then as I don’t feel the needs to apologise, he said ok. I took this as things ending. I then said something along the lines of ‘enjoy fucking the ladies in Thailand’ (I’m not proud of this) as he’s going there this week. I have been feeling stressed about him going as he went last year, and we weren’t together but still somewhat involved and he slept with many people and lied to me about having feeling for another woman. He was well within his rights to do so, as he was single, but it was a point of vulnerability for me. I feel bad that I even said it, and have apologised more than once.

He said he wasn’t ending things, and then ignored me for six hours while he was with friends, I was really upset by this.

He reached out today via text and said he wanted an apology for kicking him out, I said I wasn’t sorry so I wasn’t going to apologise. I said I didn’t feel I’d kicked him out, just asked him to leave as I felt upset and like the day was ruined.

We have previously agreed that we should tackle things head on, so I wasn’t wrong to ask him to leave but I think because I was so upset from the events of the past 12ish hours I couldn’t see it for what it was. I didn’t feel sorry because I was upset and angry.

He then ended things with me, as he feels I am a poor communicator, I am deliberately difficult and speak to him disrespectfully. He feels I have grossly disrespected him.

Things between us had been really lovely until this, so I was taken aback that he’d ended it.

During these exchanges I haven’t been nasty, raised my voice, sworn etc.

He has now said I am a vile person, I am toxic, I am like a dark cloud of sadness, I’m incapable of being happy, and I am not capable of a healthy relationship because of my ‘parents’ fucked up relationship’ growing up. He has told me to fuck off multiple times, that I’m manipulative.

I’ve told him how hurtful I have found his words, and that I really don’t feel them to be true. I am happy, and lots of people comment on my positivity.

He said “You think your actions have nothing to do with how I’ve been?” when referring to how he has spoken to me.

I really just need a fresh pair of eyes please. I acknowledge I have contributed to this, I should have behaved in a better way. It was a blip, but I didn’t see it as a massive deal.

I am genuinely sorry for how I’ve behaved, and I am trying and want to be a good partner. I feel really guilty that I’ve upset him and pushed him to this point.

OP posts:
cocoloco23 · 07/04/2025 20:06

MrsTWH · 07/04/2025 15:51

OP, I mean this kindly but when he went to Thailand and was shagging around and then lied to you about it - at what point did you then think he was relationship material? And to take this to heart so badly it’s got you questioning your own worth, it’s really sad and he’s not worth it. Perhaps some counselling might help as you need to know your own worth and not to let some disgusting sad sack make you question yourself. Why is your self esteem so low?

This man has ultimately done you a favour. Just be on your guard that when he comes back from his next Thai-shagathon, he doesn’t try to worm his way back into your affections. You are worth more than this!!

This.

OP, no one is going to tell you that this is a healthy relationship, or that this man will make you happy, or that you should apologise until the arsehole comes crawling back. No one.

Are you not completely exhausted from all the drama??

Find a therapist. Make a promise to yourself that you won’t contact this prick again. Stay single for at least a year, until you’ve done some work on your self-esteem.

This isn’t what relationships are meant to be like. This isn’t what happiness or love or affection are meant to feel like.

BeenzManeenz · 07/04/2025 20:12

He's an idiot. A vile, petty man who is likely to become abusive & controlling if you let him back into your life. All the red flags are there.

Don't let him back into your life. You have a child, please focus on them. Having this excuse for a man anywhere near your baby could be extremely damaging. Never mind yourself.

Bogginsthe3rd · 07/04/2025 20:15

TL:DR
You broke up because you weren't suited to each other. Move on.

Hfjfjfjfjfj · 07/04/2025 20:20

Be very glad he is gone from you and your son‘s lives.

Canterranter · 07/04/2025 20:26

He's an arsehole. Stop blaming yourself. You're lucky, the rubbish has put itself out.

TheOGCCL · 07/04/2025 20:29

Even if you were the most difficult, negative person in the world (unlikely), he could have handled this a lot better. It feels like he's been looking for an excuse to head for the door, maybe especially with this Thailand trip on the horizon. Remember this and do not let him try and worm his way back in later.

Imbusytodaysorry · 07/04/2025 20:32

@meridiana few things going on here .
He sounds like he spends on you and is usually fine wit that. I can’t believe you grudges paying for the dinner ingredients wheh you admit he spends on you .

Cake … so what if f he wanted to take cake home why wouldn’t he ? If he had baked a cake with a kid and tooke it all home that he pretty sad.

Main problem here is simply….. He wants to have his cake and eat it !
He has caused an issue between you both so he can go to Thailand single .land fuck around again. It’s that simple. .
I think it’s best you get your head around this while he is away heal your heart and when he comes crawling back tell him to piss off ! For good.

He was nasty and I wouldn’t let him start a behaviour of treating you like that .

HidingFromDD · 07/04/2025 20:32

He’s manufactured this so he can shag around Thailand and you can’t complain. He’ll be sniffing around again when he gets back.

while this man is in your life you’ll never have the room to let someone in with whom you can have a secure and mutually loving relationship so please think on that when he comes back (he will).

OneCalmFish · 07/04/2025 20:55

andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 07/04/2025 13:36

Maybe he was just spoiling for a fight that would lead to one of you finishing the relationship so that he can go to Thailand with no ties.
You will be better off without him.

That is exactly what I thought when I read this post!

CJFJ1 · 07/04/2025 20:58

The fact he was intending to go to Thailand solo, even before this argument over money / the cake, tells you all you need to know, OP. You are well rid.

ThriveAT · 07/04/2025 21:03

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:27

Also I meant to say he was going to take half of the cake home, not the full thing!

Petty. Not a good look - half or whole.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/04/2025 21:05

Good and healthy relationships don’t have this kind of drama. Honestly it doesn’t matter who or what caused it.

WheresthesaladTheresthesalad · 07/04/2025 21:05

You deserve better 💐
What horrible behaviour from this man.

unclejoesmintballz · 07/04/2025 21:18

He baked his cake in your house using your Leccy let's not forget 🤨

ThisFluentBiscuit · 07/04/2025 21:19

unclejoesmintballz · 07/04/2025 21:18

He baked his cake in your house using your Leccy let's not forget 🤨

Yeah, and the wear and tear on your baking equipment. And the water and washing-up liquid that you had to use.

DinaofCloud9 · 07/04/2025 21:26

What a completely shit relationship.

You want to be thanking your lucky stars it's over.

Bestfootforward11 · 07/04/2025 21:30

There is no doubt that this man is a controlling and unpleasant man. Do not think about this for another second, he is not worth your time. You have lots of posters here who are looking at your circumstances objectively, and saying you are better off without him. They have no agenda other than to tell you what they see. Your partner does have an agenda which is to make you feel low and manipulate you so he can do what he wants.

Washingupdone · 07/04/2025 21:49

He goes away for work or on holiday and sleeps with other women. I think you should an STD test, then don’t let him back into your life.

Frugalgal · 07/04/2025 22:05

He's an abusive controlling bastard. Do not waste another second of your life on this vile piece of work. What a horrible, tight, nasty, untrustworthy scumbag. Do yourself a favour and never speak to him again.

Bonbon249 · 07/04/2025 22:07

Everyone is telling you to throw this one back but you're still making excuses and looking for a way to take this nasty piece of work back. 'Yeah but' nothing he needs to stay gone so that you can work on your self esteem. You deserve better than this.

Littlejellyuk · 07/04/2025 22:24

His willy isn't worth all this shit. Block the dickhead.

Blogswife · 07/04/2025 22:44

So now he can have sleazy sex in Thailand with a clear conscience. Well executed plan I’d say !
Don’t take him back , he sounds grim.

BusyExpert · 07/04/2025 22:49

run away as fast as you can he sounds like a narcissist gaslighting you and trying to tmake you think that you have done something wrong. He has behaved appallingly. You have not.
Honestly you don't sound as though you value yourself much. Stop apologising finish with him. there are much better men out there.

Nutmeg1204 · 08/04/2025 07:04

I think he sounds quite toxic himself , doesn’t sound like a good relationship from what you’ve said

Obviously you should both contribute towards the relationship meals etc financially but rather than separating things on the checkout and say you’re paying for dinner there could have been a discussion? But perhaps he feels you don’t pay for enough and was annoyed himself?

the cake thing, on the original post him wanting to take a whole cake home he made with your son is awful, but if he wanted to take half that might be fair enough, how old is your son? Was he in this discussion?

I think like you say both sides contribute and it sounds like he is blaming it all on you so with he should come back grovelling or leave it there.

is it possible he wants a break up before the holiday so he is a free man, then comes back you after?

presumably he is going with male friends, and they do wind each other up

PooksBear · 08/04/2025 08:02

PeekabooRoots · 07/04/2025 13:32

Why? He sounds awful. This level of nastiness and penny pinching can only get worse if you moved in with him.

Imagine what your life and your sons life would be like if you moved in with him? Forever holding money over you.?
Be glad he's gone, and when he rings after his Thai shag fest, just give a tinkly little laugh as you put the phone down on him
@meridiana