Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

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

Ex Boyfriend Got in Touch - Respond With Home Truths?

120 replies

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 09:13

My ex boyfriend texted me 2 days ago after cheating on me, dumping and blocking me 3 months previously. It was just a short text saying he was sorry about what happened and he "feels bad about it". He is very avoidant and doesn't normally initiate texts so this is unusual for him.

It was a LDR and I have ended up getting a new job back in his city (not a coincidence, I was trying to find one there for a while to be closer to him and I own my own flat there, which became empty due to the tenant leaving). I never got the opportunity to tell him I was moving back because he was so intent on dumping me and blocking me.

So it could be that he's found out I'm back in town and he's worried I'll tell people how badly he behaved and he wants to sweeten me up, or he wants to get back together - but it was the second time he had ended things with me and he's very on-off. I'm also not sure whether he is still seeing the woman he dumped me for, but it's quite likely that he is, at least on a FWB basis.

The thing is, I'm really disgusted with him. I didnt get any closure because he refused point blank to meet up and dumped my things on my doorstep when he knew I'd be out. He lied to me and I couldn't get an answer as to whether there had been any overlap so I had to get an std test (fortunately it was clear). The only reason he gave was that he "got bored and felt lonely" during lockdown. There had been a lot of red flags before that I had overlooked because he had been treating me well and I thought he adored me, and I was really happy.

The more I thought about the way he behaved and the more I found out about him, the more I began to go off him. I know the woman he cheated on me with and she has a pretty poor reputation (as in used to go round the back of the building where she worked to give men bjs - I heard this several years ago from one of the sources himself, who is rely embarrassed about it). Her social media, which is public, is full of swearing and hints that she's pregnant (she hints she s pregnant quite often). She was always a bit of a joke for having poor personal hygiene and being a bit smelly and unwashed and she was quite happy with that and used to laugh along with it herself. She has photos of herself with cleavage hanging out in see through clothes - it's all very attention seeking and a bit sleazy and all her "friends" are men. He's really clever and educated, whereas she left school with no qualifications and struggles to hold down a job. I felt like I'd been drawn into something from the Jeremy Kyle show when I came home to find my belongings dumped on the doorstep. He lied to me, etc..

So I really want to reply telling him what I think of him now, that I'm disgusted by him and that I would never have got involved with him if I'd known how awful a man he was. I come from a culture (northern European country, OK The Netherlands) where people are very forthright and say things as they are. Its considered good to tell people how unacceptable their behaviour is, so they know for the next time and don't get away with it without any criticism. Whereas I know in this country I would probably be told to just ignore him.

I wouldn't feel sorry for him by the way. He's very good at feigning innocence, but it's not the first time he's behaved as a rat - basically he just turns into whatever person he thinks you want him to be to get sex, and has no qualms about cutting people off who are no longer any use to him. I stupidly overlooked all those red flags in the past because I'd known him for years and because I thought I was half imagining it, but now I realise his true personality.

To reply or not?

OP posts:
Chocolate123 · 23/09/2020 09:15

No reply silence is the best revenge.

UnfinishedSymphon · 23/09/2020 09:20

The more I thought about the way he behaved and the more I found out about him, the more I began to go off him. I know the woman he cheated on me with and she has a pretty poor reputation (as in used to go round the back of the building where she worked to give men bjs - I heard this several years ago from one of the sources himself, who is rely embarrassed about it). Her social media, which is public, is full of swearing and hints that she's pregnant (she hints she s pregnant quite often). She was always a bit of a joke for having poor personal hygiene and being a bit smelly and unwashed and she was quite happy with that and used to laugh along with it herself. She has photos of herself with cleavage hanging out in see through clothes - it's all very attention seeking and a bit sleazy and all her "friends" are men. He's really clever and educated, whereas she left school with no qualifications and struggles to hold down a job. I felt like I'd been drawn into something from the Jeremy Kyle show when I came home to find my belongings dumped on the doorstep. He lied to me, etc

You sound lovely!

Onthemaintrunkline · 23/09/2020 09:20

Definitely no reply.

Windmillwhirl · 23/09/2020 09:21

I agree. Say nothing. It isn't as if he will take on board what you say and feel bad about his behaviour.

Ughmaybenot · 23/09/2020 09:22

You come across really, really badly from this post.

But in answer to your question, radio silence. Fuck him. He wouldn’t cate about what you said anyway, he didn’t care about cheating on you or breaking your heart so why would he start caring about your opinion of him now?

SBTLove · 23/09/2020 09:25

Your attitude about the OW is nasty, tbh it sounds like you’d take him back as you seem to think it’s all this ‘sleazy’ woman’s fault this ‘educated’ man was led astray.
Stop looking at her SM, none of your business.

LadyFrumpington · 23/09/2020 09:27

100% no reply

AgentJohnson · 23/09/2020 09:28

Ignore him. People like him don’t respect or want home truths, He’d only make excuses or blame you and you don’t have time for that.

Block him!

Trisolaris · 23/09/2020 09:31

Would it have been better if he’d cheated on you with an educated lady with higher standards?

The other woman has nothing to do with it and your focus on that unfortunately speaks of internal misogyny. If you want to tell him what you think of him then by all means go ahead but it should be about his behaviour and treatment of you not about the other woman.

Babysharksmom · 23/09/2020 09:36

You sound lovely!

You come across really, really badly from this post.

Your attitude about the OW is nasty

All out in force again this morning I see. Would it occur or people that OP has been badly hurt and this is a reaction. Yes he was at fault but so is this other woman. She knew what she was doing also.

I felw for you OP. But it sounds like life if good for you at the moment with new job and you have your flat. No reply is the best reply. Let him sit and stew. You owe him zilch. I wish you the best. You will find a good one in no time

FlapsInTheWind · 23/09/2020 09:38

Why would you put yourself in the position of educator? Why would you do him that favour? You are not the asshole whisperer!

While he behaves the way he does he will continue to fuck up and this is all the vindication you need. Besides, how do you know a mate or a current girlfriend hasn't got hold of his phone and sent that message. It might be a wind up. Ignore. Be ice cold. Have a great life.

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 09:38

Actually yes Trisolaris it would have been better because he would probably have then done it because he fell in love and wanted a serious long term relationship. She knew I was seeing him when they got involved but yes, he's definately the one in control driving it.

Doesn't society have a role to play in criticising these men? Otherwise they think it's OK and do get away with it and so do it over and over again if no one actually tells them they are disgusting?

OP posts:
user1471457751 · 23/09/2020 09:40

If a guy brags about getting a bj behind a building then no, he's not "Really embarrassed" by it. He's being disgusting and bragging about his sex life, perhaps hoping you would do similar for him.

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 09:42

SBT Love you have some funny ideas! Definately do not want him back! Ugh. He's disgusting.

OP posts:
VettiyaIruken · 23/09/2020 09:42

No reply is best.
It says "you are of no importance to me"

GreyShadow · 23/09/2020 09:42

Of course OP isn't complimentary about OW! Ffs Mnet, use a bit of common sense!

Anyway OP as a PP already posted, ignoring is the best revenge!! Please don't answer!

TooTrueToBeGood · 23/09/2020 09:43

A simple life lesson from me is the best thing to do with people that treat you like shit is just to cut them out of your life completely and forever. Ignore him and forget him. You almost certainly won't get closure, you almost certainly won't change him or get a genuine apology from him. All you will do is let him back into your head and risk him sucking you back in or polluting your life with his toxic attitude.

A life free of drama is a good life. Sometimes you can't avoid it but in this situation you absolutely can and you'd be a fool to engage with him in any shape manner or form.

Ughmaybenot · 23/09/2020 09:43

He already knows it tho OP, that’s why he blocked you and had, so far, avoided you, he just doesn’t care. You’ll end up even more upset and frustrated if you try and make him see it from your point of view.

Sssloou · 23/09/2020 09:44

I am sorry that you were treated so badly. I am sorry that you didn’t act on the red flags you saw earlier in the RS.

The opposite of love isn’t hate.

It’s indifference.

There is too much vitriol and energy in your post which suggests that you still have feelings for him - he doesn’t deserve your preoccupation, your headspace, your time or your emotional energy.

There is no such thing as closure with these types of dynamics or characters. His text may be a hoovering manoeuvre, to absolve his own conscience, to provoke you - who cares.....

All that matters is that you block and delete his number (why have you not done this), emotionally and virtually detach from SM, gossip any info about him - because all of it will hurt you one way or another. He’s happy, doing something good will make you sad - he’s fucked up and any bitter pleasure you feel will still corrode you inside.

De escalate and detach from the emotions this text has triggered.

Detach further by blocking

Keep putting in the distance by not looking on SM and blocking gossip

Dignity and indifference will be a cold
sting.

Turn your back on this mess and look to your nice new future. What lessons has this RS taught you about yourself that need a little attention so that when you see red flags again you take action sooner?

Trisolaris · 23/09/2020 09:45

@IncandescentSilver
I think if you want to call him on his behaviour in a way that won’t get you stuck in a place of anger (for your benefit not his) then go ahead.

I understand what you are saying that if he was actually trying to pursue a long term relationship rather than just get laid it would be better but again you didn’t really say that you just talked about how awful the woman was hence internalised misogyny. So I still maintain if you do it ensure you keep the focus on his behaviour otherwise if anything you just reinforce his own view of women as lesser.

growinggreyer · 23/09/2020 09:45

If you contact him and tell him what you have told us, all that will happen is that he will learn how to hide his unacceptable behaviour from his next girlfriend. You will be helping him by pointing out the red flags that he doesn't notice flying behind him.

BetterBeHomeByMidnight · 23/09/2020 09:46

Of COURSE she's going to be critical about the OW. OW sounds grim and OP was hurt by his low standards.

OP - don't reply. Leave him wishing. If you feel weak, imagine him constantly checking his phone, willing a reply from you. He doesn't deserve your words.

Starlight39 · 23/09/2020 09:50

Write out an email or letter telling him exactly what you want to - then delete or burn it and never ever reply to the text.

No reply will just possibly make him wonder or keep him feeling bad if his text to you was as a result of guilt. If you berate him, he'll get all defensive and tell himself you're awful and he didn't do anything wrong or was right to do what he did because look what a meanie you are.

AnnaFour · 23/09/2020 09:51

He’s an educated man you say. He knows his behaviour is not acceptable. He doesn’t need telling! it’s not like he’s going to go ‘ah yes you’re right i didn’t realise that my behaviour was so shit, thanks for pointing it out, i’m so sorry’ and then mend his ways for the next poor woman who gets involved with him.

If you want to give him a piece of your mind because he’s behaved like a twat then do it. For some people that’s cathartic and it feels good to say what you think. But silence is also very powerful.

UpperLowercaseSymbolNumber · 23/09/2020 09:52

Of course you want to give him a good old telling us I mean who wouldn’t? But what could it possibly achieve? He knows full well he behaves like a snake but really there is only downside for you on this in responding. I dare say he would love to be able to tell his friends that he is he has a “crazy Ex” to remove the blame from him So really don’t give him any ammunition