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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Please read and tell how you'd feel

56 replies

itsjustmepb · 09/06/2020 08:06

Just as I had started to feel better about myself after last week, he did it. ‘Have you not eaten enough already?!’ He said smirking when I asked him to move his feet out of the way. What did my eating even had to do with this? Besides, not that I have to justify my eating to anyone, but since my fairly small pasta lunch at 12:30 earlier today, I had only eaten cucumber and bell pepper sticks with hot sauce. Nothing else.
‘What do you mean?’ I asked. ‘Well you had a big bowl of that hot sauce, didn’t you?’
I closed my laptop, holding back tears once again and said I would be going to bed now. It was only 8pm. ‘Go to bed! You’re so boring! Another night like this!’ He shouted after me. If only he knew how he’d hurt me last week. And how this silly little comment really hurt.

Not that he ever would, but I wish just for once he asked what the matter was. And I mean, genuinely asked, genuinely wanting to know, why I was sad. Why I was acting the way I did, almost every night. Although, I don’t think anything could actually fix it, because what had happened last week was the truth, and you can’t change the truth, can you?

Years ago I thought time would change it, but after 5 years it had been brought to my attention, once again. It had only been last week that I told my husband I was extremely happy and content with my life. I had also asked him the same question to which he answered ‘yeah, I guess I am, mostly at least’ and then he went onto say something about our house being bigger. But I he said he was happy, and I believed him.

I don’t anymore. Not for one moment.

The saddest part is, there is NOTHING I can do to change it. It needs to be her. Not me. Her, the girl in the pictures. A ghost from the past. A ghost he is still longing for.

Without realising it himself, he had jumped into something head first and then couldn’t get out anymore.

See, when we first got together, she was also in a new relationship. She was off the market, sort of speak. I had heard quite a lot about her though and seen a lot of photos and videos on his laptop I would have never wanted to see.

They did bump into each other at a company Christmas party that year. At which she tried to avoid him and him trying to talk to her.
At the time I though it would have just been an innocent catch up but now, 5 years later, I think differently. I know he would have got back with her in split second if she gave him the chance. And still would.

Let me explain, years ago he would tell me how he was annoyed that she had blocked him on Facebook as all of their memories (‘2 years of his life’) had disappeared from him.
Annoying? Yes. Was I jealous at the time? Yes I was. It hurt me. He wanted to look at photos of his ex even though he was with me now?
Never would I ever had thought, it would still be the case after 5,5 years in a relationship, 2 years married, mortgage and an almost 1 year old son. I would have NEVER guessed. And it wasn’t just that, wasn’t just once he mentioned her.

On Friday we had a date night at his mums house. Yes, mums house, we’re in lockdown so we did a house swap with his mum.
We made mojitos and we’re sitting in the hot tub talking. He was talking about his friends ex girlfriend being really strange and then out of subject he mentioned his ex having been very close friends with his Other friends ex girlfriend. Hmm ok, I didn’t think anything of it. I just said I really wished I was closer to his friends current girlfriend, as this way we would have double dates.
Not thinking much of this occasion, neither was I. All was good.

The following Sunday we went out for a walk down the Bay. We walked to and back the same way passing the same restaurants and other places. On the way back, he says ‘I’ve been to that restaurant and it’s a seafood restaurant. I’m still so angry about my ex girlfriends dad dragging us there since neither of us like seafood. I walked out!’
Even though it’s kind of a negative memory, it shouldn’t still cause anger or annoyance in him. It’s literally been YEARS.
Still, I let it go over my head. I just said he shouldn’t let it get to him anymore.

Now, my dear friends, we are going to get to the point that broke this camels back.

Are you ready?

We were driving home after work on Tuesday. My second day back after maternity leave. Almost on our home road, he
says ‘Remember years ago when I was annoyed that she (the ex) had blocked me and I lost all the memories....?’ I zoned out and still have no clue what he actual point was. I just said ‘I find it really weird you’d still wanna see those photos after all this time’ he then responds ‘Of course I would, it was 2 years of my life... Christmases and holidays, all gone!’
I said I’d find it a little bit disturbing if my dad for example wanted to look at photos of him and his ex girlfriend on holiday to which my husband said ‘we went to Turkey! I just think you’re a VERY JEALOUS PERSON!’

Would you be? Or would you at this point blatantly realise that you weren’t the one for him. You had almost 6 years of memories together now. What was so special about the 2 he had with her that he can’t let go of?

Oh, but I am boring. That just sums it up.

—// THE END //—

Another point to depress myself even more:

He used to take a lot of candid photos of her. I’ve asked him to take some one me and our children. I have none.

Not to forget the naked photos of her. Not that I’d want any taken of me, he hasn’t even tried.

Another point:

On our holiday together in Spain he told me that I’m much more approachable than his ex. What does that mean?

OP posts:
Slothsarecreepy · 09/06/2020 08:15

Is this a creative writing piece? If not, just split up.

NagaisAce · 09/06/2020 08:20

You are focusing on ancient history. If you think its encroaching on today then you either have an honest discussion with him about how its impacting you now or you decide you are worth more and walk away.

NoMoreDickheads · 09/06/2020 08:24

Not that he ever would, but I wish just for once he asked what the matter was

He knows what he's doing, it's deliberate. I mean, having a go at you for having hot sauce to dip your crudites in? 'Really?!!'

I’m still so angry about my ex girlfriends dad dragging us there since neither of us like seafood. I walked out!’

He sounds weird, OP.

I just think you’re a VERY JEALOUS PERSON!’

I think he's a not very nice person, who calls you names like jealous person, boring etc, and has a go at what you eat. It's kind of abusive really

And obviously, he also seems to still be a bit hung up on his time with his ex, too.

On our holiday together in Spain he told me that I’m much more approachable than his ex. What does that mean?

Who knows with him. Part of it is he's taking you a bit for granted- he thinks he can treat you however he wants and you'll stick around. I would start putting your foot down when he calls you things or picks on your eating. Say he should stop talking about his ex- it doesn't matter if you're a 'jealous person' or not (I don't think you are massively BTW) you don't want to hear about his ex so often and he's in a relationship with you. Not wanting to hear about exes much is not a completely abnormal thing for someone to want in a relationship.

But really, he's not a nice person, finish with him and you'll be happier.

PurpleDaisies · 09/06/2020 08:30

If you think your husband doesn’t want to be be in a relationship with you and he doesn’t treat you very well, why are you still together?

AmeliaTaylor · 09/06/2020 08:31

This is character development practice for a book, yes?

Either this isn’t true or you’re an extremely... dramatic person. Who writes like this?

SunshineSmellsLikeSummer · 09/06/2020 08:32

Far too difficult to follow, OP.

But, essentially, he does know why you're upset. He doesn't need to ask. He does it to entertain himself.

AngusThermopyle · 09/06/2020 08:33

I also thought this sounds like a bad piece of Creative writing. If not though, leave this relationship.

Gazelda · 09/06/2020 08:37

Time to be honest with him.
"I'm sick of hearing about you and your ex. Appreciate what you have right now, or you'll end up destroying it. I'm feeling unloved and second best. If that's what you want, then I'm done. This isn't jealousy, it's not about her, it's about you and me"

Oliversmumsarmy · 09/06/2020 08:39

Have you ever told him why you are angry

I find people don’t realise things they do are hurtful to others until you tell them.

Sitting and simmering isn’t doing anyone any good.

Windmillwhirl · 09/06/2020 08:40

Are you looking for feedback on your writing?

Becau6ots fairly obvious you already know the relationship is done.

SeriouslySoDoneIn · 09/06/2020 08:42

Give the creative writing a rest, it’s not that good

ThisShitCrazy · 09/06/2020 08:59

That is so hard to follow I'm not even sure what you're trying to say

TwentyViginti · 09/06/2020 09:06

Well, whatever this is.....he's idealising his ex and he's manifesting creepy vibes towards her, hence the blocking and avoiding at the works social.

WitsEnding · 09/06/2020 09:06

Yes, the writing style is really annoying. The writer comes over as a real drama llama and it's difficult to feel sympathetic because you don't know whether she's exaggerating.

Trying out the 'unreliable narrator'?

LadyMuck111 · 09/06/2020 09:09

I found this really difficult to follow. But it doesn't sound like you have actually spoken to him about what the problem is. Tell him. See if he stops.

FunTimes2020 · 09/06/2020 09:12

Very strangely written. Wannabe Mills & Boon author? Confused

recycledteenager24 · 09/06/2020 09:15

he has a fantasy about the 'one who got away' i guess she dumped him. you can always leave him, it's not impossible unless there is something you haven't mentioned but it would be helpful if you told us.

itsjustmepb · 09/06/2020 09:15

Right. Not a creative writing piece at all. I wrote it last night in bed just to get it off my chest. Thank you for all your comments

OP posts:
itsjustmepb · 09/06/2020 09:17

Also to add to the story... this morning he guessed why I've been like this. 'Was it because I said about the photos?' And when I said yes he called me jealous and said he's not gonna talk about it anymore that I need to grow up. Phh..

OP posts:
ShebaShimmyShake · 09/06/2020 09:21

"The saddest part is, there is NOTHING I can do to change it."

You can't change him, no. You can change your response. Why are you with someone like this? What happiness does he bring you?

ErickBroch · 09/06/2020 09:26

If this is real you need to write it properly, not as a creative writing piece. Extremely off-putting to read and you're not going to get any real advice.

recycledteenager24 · 09/06/2020 09:27

he's a toss pot, get rid of him. if he was that marvellous why aren't they together ? she's his ex for a reason. he sounds mentally very immature, like a school boy pining over his first girlfriend who dumped him after an 'intense relationship' of three days.
you really deserve so much better than this, and dare i say it, you deserve to be happy in the one life you have.

copycopypaste · 09/06/2020 09:30

Get rid of him. Life is way too short to spend so much time unhappy.

ErickBroch · 09/06/2020 09:30

Tried to read it - personally I don't think there is anything wrong with having photos from past relationships especially if, like he says, they include memorable times? Holidays, christmases, birthdays... I have photos from these events in my past with ex's - the ex is not the point.

Men are shit at holding on to any photos at all, my DP is anyway and my exes. I know if my DP and I split - he would then lose every photo/video of every holiday/special event from the last 5 years because I am the only one that actually keeps hold of them.

Could he just genuinely be annoyed that he lost photos of a period of his life? I think how much he mentions her is obviously pissing you off - but if you actually said that to him then he might be aware. My DP and I mention our ex's names now and again because we are both pretty comfortable with it and it means nothing.

Daisydoesnt · 09/06/2020 09:35

OP it's really hard to give you a response to your actual question (how would you feel?) because as others have pointed out, you have written it in the style of a piece of fiction/ creative writing, with you as the wronged heroine.

I don't want to sound unkind but that makes me very suspicious of how much you can be trusted as the narrator. It makes me think you like being in a drama.

If this is real life then you need to ditch this man because you are wasting your time with him.

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