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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:
Safarisagoody · 10/06/2026 06:22

Hey op how are you? Are you still going to end this relationship or are you deciding to stay with him like last time?

Mix56 · 10/06/2026 06:30

Surely the very fact you are scared of his reactions proves to you that this needs to end.
Break up by email. Then block.
You owe him nothing mire than an explication.
Tell your contacts to block him.
If he comes knocking at your door. Ignore.

Tabarnak · 10/06/2026 15:57

SallyDraperGetInHere · 09/06/2026 23:49

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.

These two posts have good advice for a splitting up message.

I was just reading a post on another thread - by a poster afraid to upset her Mum over a hotel booking. A poster said to her:

Someone on Mumsnet shared something that really did, at the time, change my life. They said (and it was also a parent problem), if someone is going to end up unhappy whatever you do, why should that person ALWAYS be you? It made me realise that I always put my mother's feelings first because I couldn't bear the outcome of her feelings and behaviour. That lede to realising how inappropriate her behaviour was, and how I would never treat my own child that way. And then THAT made me realise that I was bending myself into a pretzel to avoid upsetting someone who'd spent my whole life putting their own feelings first. Which gave me the anger and strength to start putting me first. Truly, life changing. The power of Mumsnet.

And I thought of you, @Sunglasses1979 . Why should YOU be the one to put up with things and be unhappy?

He will almost certainly react badly to or decision to leave, but he will survive. You on the other hand, will lose any chance of happiness to him if you stay.

Whose life deserves to be unhappy? Yours doesn't.

Tabarnak · 12/06/2026 14:09

Thinking of you @Sunglasses1979 , as another weekend looms.

How did you handle the planned theatre trip?

We are here for you , whatever is happening. On your side. Knowing how tough it is to rescue yourself but also knowing the alternative.

Take care X

Tabarnak · 15/06/2026 19:41

Still thinking about you @Sunglasses1979 and hoping you are OK, whatever is happening X

Sunglasses1979 · 16/06/2026 21:02

Hi, thank you for the messages and the checking in.
I am afraid I have been a coward and have been putting him off. He must surely think something is up at this point but apparently not. It is really surreal - I feel like half of me is free and the other half is not, yet.
I know I am delaying the inevitable which is stupid but I have connected more friends who I had lost touch with a bit, and made plans with them so I am able to say, without fibbing, that I am busy for the next few weeks.
I feel foolish for not having actually broken things yet. I can't explain it. I am just scared of his reaction.

OP posts:
Safarisagoody · 16/06/2026 21:07

Hopefully you build up the courage soon enough op, even if it’s jist take a few days away and text him it’s over.

NotAWurstToIt · 16/06/2026 21:08

Sunglasses1979 · 16/06/2026 21:02

Hi, thank you for the messages and the checking in.
I am afraid I have been a coward and have been putting him off. He must surely think something is up at this point but apparently not. It is really surreal - I feel like half of me is free and the other half is not, yet.
I know I am delaying the inevitable which is stupid but I have connected more friends who I had lost touch with a bit, and made plans with them so I am able to say, without fibbing, that I am busy for the next few weeks.
I feel foolish for not having actually broken things yet. I can't explain it. I am just scared of his reaction.

Well done for putting it off and not seeing him - that’s a good start.
You don’t actually have to officially break it off with him, you know, if that’s too hard.
Ghost him! I wouldn’t usually suggest that as a way to break up with someone, but in this case, if it’s difficult for you, gradually stop responding to him.
Don’t make arrangements with him and then, if you feel up to it, in due course send him a short message along the lines of ‘This relationship no longer works for me. I won’t be in touch again. I wish you well.”

whippersnapper55 · 16/06/2026 21:18

OP what do you think his reaction will be? Can you meet him in a public place and have a friend waiting round the corner so that you can just tell him and leave and not be alone? Would you rather do it over the phone or even by text message, if it would feel safer.

I think you need a plan, that will make you feel more confident. Could you go and stay with a friend or family member for a few days immediately after you've told him so that you feel safer?

ChaToilLeam · 16/06/2026 21:25

I think on these circumstances, OP, breaking up by text would be reasonable. I wouldn't do it in person - keep your distance. Could you stay with a friend and do it, or have the friend stay with you? Jus for moral support and also to be there in case he appeared in person?

This man is no good and I am glad you see that now. Freedom is so close.

Tabarnak · 16/06/2026 21:43

Thanks for updating OP.

It is understandable that you are apprehensive and afraid of his reaction, he has bullied you and harangued you and emotionally blackmailed you for ages and taken horrible measures to punish you (the whole club / young woman thing).

The good thing is that now, when you do find the moment, you don’t need to be with him in person and you won’t be seeing him afterwards for him to pull some stunt.

It’s good you are reviving contacts and seeing people, and will hopefully have fun with them.

JustSawJohnny · 16/06/2026 21:53

OP, can you go and stay with any friends or family members for a few days after the split?

Blocking him on socials/phones/socials is easy but iff you're worried about him turning up then getting away for a bit might help.

i really think dragging it out won't help in the long run. He'll see through your non-availability in the run up to the break up and probably accuse you of having met someone else.

I think you'll feel better for getting it over and done with. The dragging out will just allow anxiety to build.

Safarisagoody · 16/06/2026 21:57

Op have you seen him did you go and see the show as planned? Are you still actively dating him basically?

Pansykavalier · 16/06/2026 22:07

Have you got your Ring doorbell yet?
Have you spoken to Women’s Aid and/or the police?
Can you go away for a few days and stay with F&F - or can someone come and stay with you?

Send him a break-up text.
And then block him.

CarerBurnout · 16/06/2026 22:36

Hopefully an organisation like women's aid or the police can help you phrase a message to him. The top priority is your safety. Good luck.

ClairDeLaLune · 21/06/2026 00:10

Hey OP, how’s things going? Have you broached the subject of breaking up with him yet. Sending you strength, good luck.

In2mindsss · 21/06/2026 00:29

Can you go and stay with someone for say2 weeks and text him to break up with him while on your way there?

You do not owe him an in person break up

AcrossthePond55 · 22/06/2026 17:01

@Sunglasses1979

How are you doing?

If you haven't broken with them, I think it may help you if you put your 'worst case scenario' into words if you haven't already. If you feel like it, let us know what that is and maybe we can help you think through how realistic your fear is and/or try to help you make a plan for it. And possibly think of words to use with him so as not to 'provoke' him.

Safarisagoody · 22/06/2026 17:04

I suspect the op is still dating him, sleeping with him etc.

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