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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my fiance overreacted by getting a younger woman's number because I double booked by accident, and threw my belongings about?

1000 replies

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:52

I am trying to work out whether I am being unfair or whether my fiancé genuinely overreacts to situations.
I was spending a long weekend with him and we had plans for Monday. Friday to Sunday eve were lovely and we did sightseeing etc. then went to his and were planning to stay there for a few nights.

However, I realised I had accidentally double-booked the Monday because my adult DD had arranged for me to meet her new boyfriend and his father over lunch. It was important to her and had been organised for a while. DD has is ND and has severe MH issues; this is the first "normal" relationship she has had and it's a huge deal for her.

I told my fiancé on Sunday afternoon that I would go to the lunch for a few hours and then come back afterwards so we could still spend the Monday evening together and the following days.

He was furious. He said I was choosing other people over him and repeatedly referred to my daughter's boyfriend and his father as "strange men". He seemed particularly upset that I would be spending time with another man, even though it was DD's BF's dad not just a random stranger.

After I had told him I had double booked and would need to go for a few hours we were arguing about it non-stop for hours. I was crying at one point and I kept saying I was sorry, it was human error, not deliberate. After all this arguing I was tired and wanted to stay in, but at around 11pm he insisted we go out. While we were out he deliberately started talking to a much younger woman, introduced himself to her, claimed he got her Instagram and then repeatedly talked about how he was meeting her for dinner the next day. His argument was that if I was going for lunch with strange men the next day, then why couldn't he meet up with a new person too? Even though it was not the same at all, obviously. The young woman must have been about 20 and we are both in our 40's so it just felt really weird and "off".

The argument continued after we got back to his for most of the night and I got very little sleep. The next morning I had to get an extremely expensive Uber to make sure I did not let my daughter down and miss the lunch. He had said not to come back to his after lunch but then called me when I was in the Uber and asked me to come back to his after all.

The lunch itself was lovely. Afterwards, I travelled back to his. However, when I arrived we had another argument. During it, he picked up my bags and threw them across the room in anger, they went everywhere as he threw them so hard.

He later continued to use the lunch as an example of me not caring about him enough and prioritising other people over our relationship, and how I like "strange men".

From my point of view, I attended an important family event for a few hours and still made the effort to return afterwards. From his point of view, I had disrespected him and chosen other people over him.

When I told him how much the Uber cost he took offence because I have never gotten an Uber to his even if I am running late; he said he didn't realise I have money in this way.

When I went back to his after the lunch I had to get a standing room only train in the middle of the heatwave; I don't like public transport at the best of times and he kept asking when I arrived what did I want to do; meet his friends in the pub or go straight to his. I said I don't care and was almost in tears as I was finding the journey so stressful. I didn't realise but he had me on loud speaker so all his friends heard me when I said "I don't care" and now he's saying his friends all think I am horrible and rude to him. When it was taken out of context and they didn't know we had been arguing all night and that he'd got a much younger woman's contact details the night before.

Am I missing something or was he overreacting?

OP posts:
Toomanyweekstogo · 01/06/2026 17:12

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:52

I am trying to work out whether I am being unfair or whether my fiancé genuinely overreacts to situations.
I was spending a long weekend with him and we had plans for Monday. Friday to Sunday eve were lovely and we did sightseeing etc. then went to his and were planning to stay there for a few nights.

However, I realised I had accidentally double-booked the Monday because my adult DD had arranged for me to meet her new boyfriend and his father over lunch. It was important to her and had been organised for a while. DD has is ND and has severe MH issues; this is the first "normal" relationship she has had and it's a huge deal for her.

I told my fiancé on Sunday afternoon that I would go to the lunch for a few hours and then come back afterwards so we could still spend the Monday evening together and the following days.

He was furious. He said I was choosing other people over him and repeatedly referred to my daughter's boyfriend and his father as "strange men". He seemed particularly upset that I would be spending time with another man, even though it was DD's BF's dad not just a random stranger.

After I had told him I had double booked and would need to go for a few hours we were arguing about it non-stop for hours. I was crying at one point and I kept saying I was sorry, it was human error, not deliberate. After all this arguing I was tired and wanted to stay in, but at around 11pm he insisted we go out. While we were out he deliberately started talking to a much younger woman, introduced himself to her, claimed he got her Instagram and then repeatedly talked about how he was meeting her for dinner the next day. His argument was that if I was going for lunch with strange men the next day, then why couldn't he meet up with a new person too? Even though it was not the same at all, obviously. The young woman must have been about 20 and we are both in our 40's so it just felt really weird and "off".

The argument continued after we got back to his for most of the night and I got very little sleep. The next morning I had to get an extremely expensive Uber to make sure I did not let my daughter down and miss the lunch. He had said not to come back to his after lunch but then called me when I was in the Uber and asked me to come back to his after all.

The lunch itself was lovely. Afterwards, I travelled back to his. However, when I arrived we had another argument. During it, he picked up my bags and threw them across the room in anger, they went everywhere as he threw them so hard.

He later continued to use the lunch as an example of me not caring about him enough and prioritising other people over our relationship, and how I like "strange men".

From my point of view, I attended an important family event for a few hours and still made the effort to return afterwards. From his point of view, I had disrespected him and chosen other people over him.

When I told him how much the Uber cost he took offence because I have never gotten an Uber to his even if I am running late; he said he didn't realise I have money in this way.

When I went back to his after the lunch I had to get a standing room only train in the middle of the heatwave; I don't like public transport at the best of times and he kept asking when I arrived what did I want to do; meet his friends in the pub or go straight to his. I said I don't care and was almost in tears as I was finding the journey so stressful. I didn't realise but he had me on loud speaker so all his friends heard me when I said "I don't care" and now he's saying his friends all think I am horrible and rude to him. When it was taken out of context and they didn't know we had been arguing all night and that he'd got a much younger woman's contact details the night before.

Am I missing something or was he overreacting?

Get rid! He’s bloody crazy! Run girl, as fast as you can!

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 17:13

Crikeyalmighty · 01/06/2026 16:42

I’ve noticed with men like this they often don’t have many close friends or separate interests either - ‘you ‘ become their interest - in my case the guy had been dumped 8 weeks before a wedding the year before , at the time I was sympathetic , but in hindsight I saw why - you remember that case with the lovely authoress who ended up at the bottom of a well - I would bet your bottom dollar he started off very ‘just you and me’ - it is very flattering initially , especially if you hadn’t experienced it before ( I hadn’t really, my first husband was too much the other way) - thing is I’m an intelligent woman and at that time was pretty good looking too, I rushed into it far too quickly feeling a bit at sixes and seven after divorce - luckily you don’t live together - so if I was you I would take stock of what you have at his home, ( remove if you can) what things you have connected -(if anything ) and simply end it from a distance - and block -

He has friends but not really any close ones more like drinking buddies. He constantly criticises them though, saying they drink too much, they only want to hang out when they are skint and he can buy them drinks, etc.
He seems to have always had a cocoon in previous relationships and they have all ended badly although he is in touch with some ex in-laws.
He was jilted once same as your ex and the timeline between meeting his ex wife and then getting married seems very short. Like it was rushed or sped up.

OP posts:
JHound · 01/06/2026 17:14

Run. Run away from this man. It will only get worse.

MyLimeGuide · 01/06/2026 17:14

Oh dear, the fact that you posted this on here means you know there is a problem. No one deserves to be treated like that. Poor thing i hope you find the courage to get rid, you need too, there's only one luke don't let this vile man steal your happiness xx

duckingclueless · 01/06/2026 17:15

Be very grateful that this is your fiancé and not your husband. Run for the hills.

MyLimeGuide · 01/06/2026 17:15

Only one life!

OriginalSkang · 01/06/2026 17:15

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 17:13

He has friends but not really any close ones more like drinking buddies. He constantly criticises them though, saying they drink too much, they only want to hang out when they are skint and he can buy them drinks, etc.
He seems to have always had a cocoon in previous relationships and they have all ended badly although he is in touch with some ex in-laws.
He was jilted once same as your ex and the timeline between meeting his ex wife and then getting married seems very short. Like it was rushed or sped up.

what are you going to do?

Cailin66 · 01/06/2026 17:16

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 14:50

Yes absolutely. I think writing down what has happened that weekend and the thing with the Airbnb too has helped me see clearly.

I was hesitant to post as the whole thing sounds so crazy and ridiculous, of course he was being unreasonable, and so on. Took me a good few days to get round to posting because of the element of shame / embarrassment and I knew people would be thinking I am a total fool for letting it get to this stage.

Now that you’ve been brave enough to post on here what are you going to do to get rid of the abusive and controlling man?

Scandalicious · 01/06/2026 17:18

His behaviour is so far from normal or acceptable that there is not one possible explanation of it that would justify staying with him. He is a bad man. He will never change. This relationship will destroy you more and more the longer you stay in it. You have one job as far as this relationship is concerned and that is to get advice on how to safely get out of it.

NeededANameChangeAnyway · 01/06/2026 17:19

Get out now. This is not normal and will only get worse. Get your stuff if you feel safe doing so, if not just leave and go to a friends and then you can decide what to do in a calm place where he can't stress you out, twist your words or make you feel like you're mad. Check he's not got location sharing or similar on your phone.

momtoboys · 01/06/2026 17:19

Why are you with him?

TheDutchHouse · 01/06/2026 17:20

@Sunglasses1979
Two things , from someone who was in an extremely abusive relationship .
Firstly it’s actually good he has shown you who he is before you commit to living with him, normally at the beginning they can lovebomb. But now you need to act on this for your own safety.
Second, take a moment to read back your OP as though it was your DD telling you this about her BF , would you not be telling her to get away asap ?
If you need help in finding the courage to leave this relationship you really have come to the right place, MN helped me several years ago in leaving a relationship that was extremely toxic … they cheered me on and supported me , literally, on the journey out of there.
Then afterwards when I wavered or felt lost this lovely lot on here gave me sage advice.
People are here to support you .

spongebunnyfatpants · 01/06/2026 17:21

He's showing you his true colours. 🚩🚩
Do not marry this man, end your relationship and move on.

Youtookyourtime · 01/06/2026 17:21

How long have you been with him? Any particular reason why you and he don’t live together? @Sunglasses1979

Youtookyourtime · 01/06/2026 17:22

If this is how you have modelled relationships to your DD, I’d be very worried about that new boyfriend of hers

FancyKeyboard · 01/06/2026 17:22

Leave him today - in as safe a way as possible.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 01/06/2026 17:23

For everyone asking what OP is going to do. She needs time to take all of this information in so she's maybe not in a position to answer this question yet.

OP you probably still love him but remember, it's the idea of him you love or the person he showed you he was right at the start of the relationship. He's not that person.

Please keep yourself safe whilst you decide what to do. But like every other poster, I would highly recommend you leave him.

Wreckinball · 01/06/2026 17:25

The only way you will find peace of mind is to get rid of this man- he’s a drain

aquitodavia · 01/06/2026 17:25

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 15:38

Yes it is starting to feel very claustrophobic in that it is just us most of the time.
Interesting you say about your ex picking you up after nights out as this is what he has offered too, and he always wants a phonecall before bedtime too. Once when I was surprised by a night out when I was meant to be stayign in he sounded like he was annoyed but was trying to hide it.

All of this sounds very familiar to me too OP. My ex fiance did similar on a night out when he was convinced I was up to something while away seeing a female friend (I wasn't) - he told me all about a woman chatting him up and how he could have gone there, and then how he was going to go home and fantasize about women who looked exactly opposite to me! Everything else you say really resonates as well. It is a very gradual thing and difficult to believe it is actually happening to you, he also made me feel like it was all my fault, until a friend overheard an argument and told me how awful he was actually being to me. Still I stayed, he financially and ultimately sexually and physically abused me before I finally left. I'm sure he still thinks it was all my fault, but cutting him out of my life was the greatest relief I have ever had.

Honestly this man is abusive, no one deserves any of that. Get away from him as fast as you can. And I'm really sorry this is happening to you.

Flightyflora · 01/06/2026 17:27

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 17:13

He has friends but not really any close ones more like drinking buddies. He constantly criticises them though, saying they drink too much, they only want to hang out when they are skint and he can buy them drinks, etc.
He seems to have always had a cocoon in previous relationships and they have all ended badly although he is in touch with some ex in-laws.
He was jilted once same as your ex and the timeline between meeting his ex wife and then getting married seems very short. Like it was rushed or sped up.

It's not a cocoon. Is that his description ? It's controlling and abusive. A cocoon implies safety and love.

Sophue · 01/06/2026 17:28

I hope you take advice from the majority of these posts which are worried about the abusive relationship you are in and get out of it as quickly as possible.

Notsosweetcaroline · 01/06/2026 17:29

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 01/06/2026 17:23

For everyone asking what OP is going to do. She needs time to take all of this information in so she's maybe not in a position to answer this question yet.

OP you probably still love him but remember, it's the idea of him you love or the person he showed you he was right at the start of the relationship. He's not that person.

Please keep yourself safe whilst you decide what to do. But like every other poster, I would highly recommend you leave him.

Her friends and family have been telling her for a long time.

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 17:36

aquitodavia · 01/06/2026 17:25

All of this sounds very familiar to me too OP. My ex fiance did similar on a night out when he was convinced I was up to something while away seeing a female friend (I wasn't) - he told me all about a woman chatting him up and how he could have gone there, and then how he was going to go home and fantasize about women who looked exactly opposite to me! Everything else you say really resonates as well. It is a very gradual thing and difficult to believe it is actually happening to you, he also made me feel like it was all my fault, until a friend overheard an argument and told me how awful he was actually being to me. Still I stayed, he financially and ultimately sexually and physically abused me before I finally left. I'm sure he still thinks it was all my fault, but cutting him out of my life was the greatest relief I have ever had.

Honestly this man is abusive, no one deserves any of that. Get away from him as fast as you can. And I'm really sorry this is happening to you.

Sorry that happened to you 💐
He has said similar in the past, about how some woman was coming onto him, when he has gone out. And he has been very moody when I have gone away in the past, with friends. Like I am out on the pull or something when I am not.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 01/06/2026 17:39

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 12:58

Didn't realise how long my post was 🫠

I didn't feel very respected at all, it was horrible going out so late to what is essentially a student bar just to watch him show me how easily he can pick up other, much younger, women. I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

Never mind not respected.

You're being abused

Get away from him

Imisscoffee2021 · 01/06/2026 17:40

That's pathetic outrageous behaviour suited to a teenager learning the ropes than a 40 yr old man child! He wants to be higher up in pecking krder than your daughter does he? He isn't, needs to be binned sorry op, I don't think I could come back from being made to cry from an onslaught of a temper tantrum and his subsequent tit for tat reaction.

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