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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my fiancé overreacted part 2

94 replies

Sunglasses1979 · 02/06/2026 19:12

A kind poster suggested making a second thread so here it is x

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:
GotTheBluePeterBadge · 06/06/2026 09:17

PartyQuestion30th · 04/06/2026 13:58

Have you done a Claire's law request...?

Do this AND leave him - sooner rather than later!

Tabarnak · 06/06/2026 09:35

I hope you are doing OK, Sunglasses1979

Remember that thousands of women a year leave abusive men. They deploy all the tactics, attempting to love bomb, manipulate, begging etc etc, which is why there is good advice on your last thread on dealing with that.

A ring doorbell is good in case he tries to persuade you in person.

But the many MNers (and beyond) who have successfully left abusive and coercive relationships are there to give you reassurance, solidarity and courage.

Some of the warnings and safety tips on these threads can add up to scaremongering. Staying with him to avoid breaking up is NOT the safest option!

Thinking of you.

OverheardBreakup · 07/06/2026 12:57

How are you doing OP? Have you managed to confide in your friends and family and get some support for ending things?

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 19:30

Hello thank you for the posts I appreciate them more than I can say.

I have been saying I am ill this weekend which is a bit pathetic but I didn't really know what to do.

We were supposed to go to the theatre during the week but I have just got an emergency GP appt the next day so I have told him this and said I can still go, but I will need to leave early and not stay over at his.

He seemed to be being perfectly reasonable but then has kind of become unpleasant and twisted it.

I was meant to go to his early (afternoon booked off work) and then we would go from there to the theatre. He started suggesting that I get a really early train to get to the GP the next day, ludicrously early, 6.30am.
I cannot get up this early due to medications i take and he knows it. It is like a test. He said he has given me a solution and i didn't want to do it. But it's not that i don't want to, it is that i can't.

I keep thinking back to one of our recent conversations where he said how i had changed his world because he had never liked someone of my ethnicity before.

And also that i was the first girlfriend he had who could only speak 1 language. One ex spoke three languages, another spoke 4. I can only speak English. And i have been trying to learn his language but he knows i am finding it difficult and progress is slow. It is these kind of back-handed compliments that make me feel like a complete and utter failure.

OP posts:
TheGreatDownandOut · 08/06/2026 19:53

@Sunglasses1979 is there anything that’s stopping you from just ending it OP? Are you buying time to pluck up the courage or are you having second thoughts?

INeedAnotherName · 08/06/2026 20:31

You shouldn't have said you could still go but used that GP appointment as a very good reason to cancel. He is not a good man and you need to walk away.

Please talk to your GP about this, they should be able to signpost you to further help and support, otherwise contact Women's Aid.

PissedOffAutistic · 08/06/2026 20:35

I think in your position I would be tempted to ask the police for advice on how to end a relationship with an abusive man. I would also ensure he has no keys to your home / change the locks if he has, and tell people that you are ending things so they can support you.

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 21:03

I have told some friends who have been very kind but also very adamant that I must split up with him.
It is difficult though because he will react horribly. And last time when I almost broke things off and then didn't they were quite frustrated by me. Plus, if I am honest, I am just really now starting to realise how worn down by him I am, by all the comparisons to his exes etc. and how long I have been trying to please him.

OP posts:
Safarisagoody · 08/06/2026 21:04

Op why are you agreeing ro go out with him?

Safarisagoody · 08/06/2026 21:04

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 21:03

I have told some friends who have been very kind but also very adamant that I must split up with him.
It is difficult though because he will react horribly. And last time when I almost broke things off and then didn't they were quite frustrated by me. Plus, if I am honest, I am just really now starting to realise how worn down by him I am, by all the comparisons to his exes etc. and how long I have been trying to please him.

So just end it. You can’t just keep going out with him as you’re scared?

NotAWurstToIt · 08/06/2026 21:14

OP what are you scared of in breaking up with him? Do you think he would hurt you?
A few things to consider:
Does he have keys to your house? If you’re not 100% sure then get your locks changed.
Can you stay somewhere else for a few nights so he doesn’t know where you are?
Can you call 111 and say you are breaking up with a volatile partner?
You don’t have to see him again and you don’t owe him anything. I think he’s ground you down and made you unsure of yourself. This man is not good, or kind. He’s controlling and abusive. You can send a message once you feel safe and tell him that you are ending the relationship and you will not be speaking him again. Please value yourself and do not continue a relationship with this man. He is likely to cause you mental and physical harm.

INeedAnotherName · 08/06/2026 21:23

Please contact Women's Aid or your local DA charity (look on your council's webpage) as they can give you practical advice as well as support you. Or the police for their advice.

Will you do that?

Tabarnak · 08/06/2026 21:35

@Sunglasses1979 , when you say he will react horribly, what do you think he will do? What has he done when you have implied you want to split before?

The problem with abusive relationships is exactly as you have identified: the more it goes on, the more worn down you get and the less you are able to save yourself.

I would imagine that your friends are distressed to see this happening to you, and they want to be there for you to support leaving him.

You can’t keep making excuses to evade him. He is already testing you over it. My advice would be not to go to the theatre and especially not go to his house.

You know when you go swimming and you have to steel yourself to submerge into chilly water, but once you have done it, you have done it?

Have a friend with you. Send him a message: “I do not want to mess you about. The truth is that I am no longer happy and have decided to end our relationship. I will not be entering into discussion about this so I ask you not to try. I wish you no ill and hope you might feel the same. Yours Sunglasses. “

Then do not engage in any reply to his beseeching, insults, threats etc.

Get your friend to read his messages before you do.

If he makes threats stat v v calm and keep replying “as I said, I will not be changing my mind so there is nothing be said. If you make threats I will need to seek police intervention “

It IS scary, but so many MNers have taken this brave step and felt so much better for it.

Just do it OP. You can do it.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 08/06/2026 21:47

Lots of good advice OP. It must be very scary contemplating ending it and facing his fury. But unless you are prepared to continue to be bullied by him and to live in fear and misery, is there another option.

You've already taken a big step by not seeing him over the weekend. What would you need to be able to say the final words - "It's over. This isn't working for me. I don't want to see you again." ? If you're determined to end it, I'm sure your friends would step up.

You really do deserve better than this miserable experience you have with him.

CatMummyOf3 · 08/06/2026 21:49

You are understandably worried about how he will feel when you end this relationship; instead of focusing on that, maybe focus on how you will feel once you are no longer with him.

I haven't been in your position but someone close to me has. The change from during to after was incredible. I hadn't realised how controlled she had become, it was such a slow transition. Leaving was hard, of course it was, but she never regretted it. She is now happy again, she can do whatever she wants, see who she wants, when she wants.

Please, please listen to your friends/family. If they have offered support, take it. You can do this 💕

Tabarnak · 08/06/2026 21:51

MrsOverton above us right: the choice now is years and years of misery as his control and nastiness gets worse, or a short period of difficulty in ending it and looking forward to a feeling of relief and freedom and a future in which you can regain yourself and be happy.

This thread must be tough OP, but we are all on your side. Thank you for checking in and keeping up the communication.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/06/2026 22:03

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 21:03

I have told some friends who have been very kind but also very adamant that I must split up with him.
It is difficult though because he will react horribly. And last time when I almost broke things off and then didn't they were quite frustrated by me. Plus, if I am honest, I am just really now starting to realise how worn down by him I am, by all the comparisons to his exes etc. and how long I have been trying to please him.

Do you think putting it off will make him be 'less horrible' when you end it? I doubt it.

By dragging it out it's like you're trying to amputate your arm with a rusty dull icepick. Bit by bit, slowly and painfully. Much better to 'amputate' quickly with a sharp scalpel by simply sending him a text that you are ending the relationship. One text, block him, you're done. I realize I may be simplifying but the principle still stands.

Your friends want you to end it. They'll stand by you and support you. They'll call you out should you weaken and give you the reasons why you've done the right thing.

You're obviously miserable. Ending things will lift that misery

Woodfiresareamazing2 · 08/06/2026 22:09

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 21:03

I have told some friends who have been very kind but also very adamant that I must split up with him.
It is difficult though because he will react horribly. And last time when I almost broke things off and then didn't they were quite frustrated by me. Plus, if I am honest, I am just really now starting to realise how worn down by him I am, by all the comparisons to his exes etc. and how long I have been trying to please him.

Hi @Sunglasses1979 .

Your friends thought you were leaving him and then you didn't. So they are frustrated with you because they can see what an abusive, unkind, controlling man you are engaged to, and they hate seeing you scared, browbeaten and unhappy.
Their frustration is coming from their love and concern for you.

You don't live with this man, share children with him, or own property together.

You can just walk away.

Think how good that will feel.

No more arguing all night, no more being unfavourably compared to his exes, no more trying (and failing) to please him.

If you have left things at his house, just replace them. If he's left things at yours, send them to him, or ask a friend to drop them off.

Change your locks if there's any chance he has a key.

Then tell him that you are breaking off the engagement and do not want to see him
again.

If he reacts horribly - so what?
If he rings you, you don't have to listen - just hang up.
If he messages you, don't reply.
If he comes to your house, don't let him in.
If he won't leave, call the police.

If he keeps messaging you, reply once to say that you do not want him to message you again, and any further messages will constitute harassment.
And you can always mute or block his number. Muting it means if he keeps messaging you can go to the police with that evidence of his harassment.

Do it, @Sunglasses1979 , and move forward into building your own peaceful life.

💐

liamharha · 08/06/2026 22:46

Op you need to be brave make sure all your safety measures are in place and end this block him in everything and contact the police if he persists . I'm very concerned about you . Remove the weight that is dragging you down .you owe him nothing

CathyFitzs · 09/06/2026 13:20

Sunglasses1979 · 08/06/2026 19:30

Hello thank you for the posts I appreciate them more than I can say.

I have been saying I am ill this weekend which is a bit pathetic but I didn't really know what to do.

We were supposed to go to the theatre during the week but I have just got an emergency GP appt the next day so I have told him this and said I can still go, but I will need to leave early and not stay over at his.

He seemed to be being perfectly reasonable but then has kind of become unpleasant and twisted it.

I was meant to go to his early (afternoon booked off work) and then we would go from there to the theatre. He started suggesting that I get a really early train to get to the GP the next day, ludicrously early, 6.30am.
I cannot get up this early due to medications i take and he knows it. It is like a test. He said he has given me a solution and i didn't want to do it. But it's not that i don't want to, it is that i can't.

I keep thinking back to one of our recent conversations where he said how i had changed his world because he had never liked someone of my ethnicity before.

And also that i was the first girlfriend he had who could only speak 1 language. One ex spoke three languages, another spoke 4. I can only speak English. And i have been trying to learn his language but he knows i am finding it difficult and progress is slow. It is these kind of back-handed compliments that make me feel like a complete and utter failure.

But you aren’t leaving him- you’re just telling us how dreadful he is but not extricating yourself. I know it’s difficult but all this ,’ he said, he did’ is pointless. I saw a psychologist once who said I had to stop dining out on tales of how dreadful my ex husband was and I appreciate you’re only at the beginning of hopefully instigating a break up but tales of how awful he is are taking all your energy- you need to take action!! Easy for me to say, of course and good luck

2Rebecca · 09/06/2026 20:00

I think him comparing you unfavourably to his exes makes this easier “I am obviously not the woman you want. I think it’s best we split up”

Rhaidimiddim · 09/06/2026 20:16

Safarisagoody · 08/06/2026 21:04

Op why are you agreeing ro go out with him?

This.

I am worried for your safety now, if you spend time with him. Your friends must be, too.

Please make sure you tell them when younare meeting him, when you expect to be back, so they can have your back.

But - just keep away from him now?

2Rebecca · 09/06/2026 23:33

I don't think you should see him physically again. Just don't go. He's not your master. You don't need an excuse not to see him. You don't want to. Reduce contact and stop giving him headspace. Let him act horribly if he wants just don't let him be physically near you if he is having a tantrum and if he gets near you call the police.

SallyDraperGetInHere · 09/06/2026 23:49

2Rebecca · 09/06/2026 20:00

I think him comparing you unfavourably to his exes makes this easier “I am obviously not the woman you want. I think it’s best we split up”

I tend to agree with this; if you are afraid to be direct, having a few phrases you can use like ‘ultimately we will only make each other unhappy’ and ‘I’ve realised the way we see things is incompatible’ can sound more neutral and safer.

Isittimeformynapyet · 10/06/2026 00:24

Frillysweetpea · 04/06/2026 18:26

I'd imagine Women's Aid can advise you on this but if you are really scared of ending it with him can you arrange a date and time to do it with a friend waiting in the wings? Maybe friend could be in their car and if you haven't phoned by a certain time they need to come and rescue you/go to the police if they can not gain admittance. You also need a code/word phrase in case your BF forces you to phone them and say everything is ok when it isn't. Wishing you much courage and a good outcome.

The consensus seems to be that OP should not break up with him face to face, so no need for codewords etc for that bit.

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