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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:
ScorchedEarthAdjacent · 01/06/2026 13:40

My advice to anyone early in a relationship is to see how the other person reacts when things don’t go as planned eg being late for a date or having to cancel at short notice. It shows you the measure of the other person how they behave when things don’t go their way. What you have posted is horrible abusive behaviour. It won’t get better.

fiveflames · 01/06/2026 13:41

Well luckily he has shown you exactly who he is before you’ve got married and in a tangled mess.

You absolutely must leave this relationship now. He’s got an explosive temper, he can’t control himself, he’s violent and unhinged.

You have the power and the choice now. Use it to get rid. When you do get rid, say it isn’t working. Don’t get into a fight about what happened.

try to retrieve any possessions prior to this and dump him over a telephone call.

Northermcharn · 01/06/2026 13:41

Nope. This cannot be real, sorry.

pikkumyy77 · 01/06/2026 13:41

Look up the ook “Why Does He Do That” by Lundy Bancroft and also look up narcissistic abuse. An abusive relationship—which this is—which includes hostility to your family and friends, accusations of infidelity, public shaming (the telephone call on speakerphone) dramatic surges of insult snd coercive control are all a very specific kind of abuse.

You are falling into ghe trap of trying to understand and rebut or ameliorate the unreasonable behavior with sweet reason. This is a trap because this angry, carping, shaming, costly, shouty relationship IS the relationship he wants. Nothing you say or do will change his desire to dominate/control/abuse you. That is what he likes.

As for the statement that his friends are nice its irrelevant. They don’t prove anything about him other than that hd chooses which side of himself to display in public and reserves the most real and cruel side for you in private. But the attempt to bring you into disrepute with his friends by putting you onspeaker phone and accusing you of being late is a classic of narcissistic abuse. He is creating a situation in which no one likes or supports you whether that is your own family and friends or his friends.

fiveflames · 01/06/2026 13:41

As others have said. There is no excuse and no getting better.

DierdreDaphne · 01/06/2026 13:42

Stop trying to understand, explain or excuse his behaviour. It's inexcusable.

MalteserGeezee · 01/06/2026 13:42

This won't get better. Cut your losses, dump him, have some therapy or read a book so you don't make a bad choice again in future (or if you do, extricate yourself much faster next time). What a dickhead he is.

Sassylovesbooks · 01/06/2026 13:42

Your boyfriend's behaviour isn't normal on any level. You were meeting your daughters new boyfriend and his Dad, not a random stranger off the street. I understand your boyfriend being disappointed that you had double booked yourself, but any normal minded person would have understood that this family event is important to your daughter.

You need to end this relationship. Your boyfriend is trying to put a wedge between you and your family, to make you isolated and dependent on him. His reaction over you spending a lunch with your daughter, her boyfriend and his Dad, is completely irrational and jealousy fuelled. He's thrown away presents, torn up cards etc you have given him/him you and has now thrown your belongings across the room. Next time, that could be you being thrown across the room.

His behaviour will increase in severity as time goes on. Get out of the relationship immediately.

fantam · 01/06/2026 13:43

Let us know the list of excuses you intend to use to stay with this person. You won't leave anytime soon I reckon.

But maybe sometime in the future you will decide to escape with your life and your limbs and headspace intact. Then again maybe you won't be that lucky.

jellyfish798 · 01/06/2026 13:43

Sunglasses1979 · 01/06/2026 13:35

That is what I said to him, that my DD is my priority and I am not his mother, I'm her mother and that was why he threw my stuff across the room... He has a complicated relationship with his mother I think it hit a nerve.

It didn't hit a nerve gal, toxic men play the 'you've triggered me' card to make themselves out to be the victim when you don't do as they say. Don't let him manipulate you like that. He is a brat used to his own way.

lornad00m · 01/06/2026 13:43

🚩🚩🚩

Throw this one back. Seriously. He's a wrong 'un.

Instructions · 01/06/2026 13:44

You would be very unreasonable to continue a relationship with him

Megifer · 01/06/2026 13:44

Op is there not any part of you saying this is not ok? All you think is he might have "overreacted"?

PeopleWatching17 · 01/06/2026 13:44

GCAcademic · 01/06/2026 12:56

Why are so many women on here putting up with this kind of shit? Are you so desperate to be with a man that you'll literally put up with anything?

They put up with this shit because they think they can’t do any better. My daughter put up with some shit for quite some time, because she thought she could change him and make everything better. Thankfully, she got away and is now happily married with four children.
It was obvious that her boyfriend was a turd, but if I had had a go at her about it, it would’ve made no difference. It turned out that he was far worse than I had thought, and I wish I could’ve done something at the time. However, it would’ve made no difference. I believe a lot of men can spot women who can be manipulated.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 01/06/2026 13:45

He's an abusive prick. Get rid.

SWnewstart · 01/06/2026 13:45

So is OP showing any signs of listening to the wise words of many MNs?
Sadly I don't think so.

midJulytarget · 01/06/2026 13:45

OP I'm interested why you chose AIBU for this, and have you read any of the many similar threads about bad relationships?

Genuinely, what were you expecting?

I do feel for you, but it's blindingly clear you should've been out of this relationship yesterday, and did you honestly think people would say nah, he's fine, no need to worry?

AlternateLook · 01/06/2026 13:45

What a fucking reprehensible, childish, abusive arsehole. What in God's name are you doing with this guy?

OriginalSkang · 01/06/2026 13:47

This won't ever get any better. He won't change

There's not much point coming here to ask us if he is unreasonable - you are the only person who can change this situation. By leaving

What effect do you think it would have if you showed this thread to him? He wouldn't realise he was in the wrong, he would just be even more abusive

Excited101 · 01/06/2026 13:47

Op, you’re upset, you’re giving extra information and context that isn’t needed- you must must must leave this man. He’s abusive and dangerous. None of that behaviour is normal in any relationship from any friend/family that I have. He doesn’t like you, let alone love you, he wants to bully you and have your attention is all, he’s a pathetic man child who will never grow up. Don’t be a victim.

Goditsmemargaret · 01/06/2026 13:48

There's nothing in this relationship for you. Leave him without explanation.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 01/06/2026 13:48

Please come back and tell us you've dumped him!

HangingInJustAbout · 01/06/2026 13:48

This is coercive control. It’s abuse. Very clearly.

Like others have said, get out now.

Stop making excuses first him too. I have a complicated relationship to my parents. I experienced abuse as a child. It does not give me the right to abuse others.

He is not a nice person. He is abusing you. If you stay with him you will be miserable.

Hangingcrystal · 01/06/2026 13:48

Are you very naive and vulnerable?

This thread is unbelievable.
You are in a highly controlling abusive relationship with a violent man.

Are you waiting for him to slap you?

He threw your stuff?

Domestic violence.

Why would you have anything to do with such an utterly vile pig who is determined to isolate you?

Of course his Ex has blocked him.

He is scum.

Go to the police and ask for a Clare's Law application.

I bet he has other vuctims.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 01/06/2026 13:49

For the sake of your relationship with your daughter, do NOT marry this man. He will drive a huge wedge between you. He's already started doing it. Don't let him, for her sake as well as your own. Just GET RID of him. Honestly, reading what you said about his behaviour was quite disturbing, also that you don't seem to realise how bad it is.

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