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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:
Gilda152 · 23/09/2020 10:33

I cannot top Pragmatic Wench that is a 5 star response! Particularly because men expect women to ramble on about emotions in texts and we know that we just want to get every last fact and nuance in there in one go. So this text would probably be a surprise to him and I think on balance just edges ahead of ignoring him completely. Having said that, you've missed the window - you can't send that two days later it would have had to be at the time, like swatting an annoying fly away. So on reflection just ignore. And if he texts again, respond with lightning speed.

Panicwiththebisto · 23/09/2020 10:35

“new fone who dis?”

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 10:36

FizzyGreenWater I feel sorry for her too, because he will dump her and I know the way he dumps. He might have done so already, he might be keeping her dangling for sex.

She's actually privately educated though - doesn't stop someone leaving school without any qualifications.

OP posts:
Heffalooomia · 23/09/2020 10:36

Yeah he's worried that you're going to damage his reputation,
An evil person would respond a little bit, covertly find out what he's specifically afraid of and use that to get revenge

Sssloou · 23/09/2020 10:42

Heffaloomia has it. He has heard you are back in town, is putting out feelers to gauge your anger - he is probably more worried that you will humiliate him in public - he wants to provoke a response so that he can trash your rep before you trash his. See him as paranoid and manipulative.

Don’t send the text. It would be like handing him the bullets to shoot you with. He would spin malice and crazy ex bitch if you only sent him a semi colon !

RefriedBeanz · 23/09/2020 10:45

@IncandescentSilver

FizzyGreenWater I feel sorry for her too, because he will dump her and I know the way he dumps. He might have done so already, he might be keeping her dangling for sex.

She's actually privately educated though - doesn't stop someone leaving school without any qualifications.

Every update makes you sound more and more pathetic and a horrible person
IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 10:48

Asterion he's unlikely to gossip about me though, because he doesn't have any friends. He has cut them all off over the years.

He's more likely to have talked about me to the woman he cheated on me with. That's almost certain what he did do, as she joined some Facebook local sports meet up groups that I'm a member of and posted some nonsense comment on one of them about nothing. And I know for a fact that she isn't involved in that sport in any shape or form.

His one remaining mutual male friend is also through that sport, and I've made sure that my FB is an exemplary example of normal life, with no barbed or sad comments. But that will probably be how he has worked out that I've moved back - he might have spun the crazy/upset ex story to him and got him to check.

I literally have done nothing as I've been following a course of no reaction. Not even blocking - nothing. I just don't react to anything he does, beyond the last text I sent in response to his telling me he had left his stuff outside my house. He would have expected a reaction from me when he blocked me on whatsapp out of the blue last month - I didnt react. I do however observe and form opinions.

I wouldn't trust him one little bit. He's rather hystrionic and I think he sets up his next sexual fix before he leaves the last one. Its not going to be a third time!

OP posts:
Chickychickydodah · 23/09/2020 10:49

Why didn’t you block him? he did it to you, block now and ignore him. Have a happy life with someone that will treat you properly

willloman · 23/09/2020 10:51

I'm with Unfinishedsyphon - you sound nasty.

timetest · 23/09/2020 10:52

There is nothing to be gained from contacting this man. Be glad he is out of your life. Don’t dwell on the OW, from what you say her life doesn’t sound happy or healthy.

SoulofanAggron · 23/09/2020 10:54

You could let off steam to him, then immediately block him. I completely get how you feel, that it might be cathartic, and that's ok. Smile

Or just block him.

slipperywhensparticus · 23/09/2020 10:59

Block gim and her on social media and your phone

If you MUST reply simply state "ive moved on don't contact me again"

Then block

fatherfintanstack · 23/09/2020 11:32

I think you're right when you say it might be damage limitation if he's heard you're moving back and he doesn't want any 'scenes'.

I would not reply and I would block. Don't berate or reassure (that you no longer give a toss). This will give him closure and if he doesn't reply or he re-blocks you, you will feel belittled. Just block. Then there is no tone set for if you do see him around.

Briefly plan what you will say in that event, until the hurt has died down at least. I would go for a nod and keep walking or a 'please leave me alone, I don't want to make small talk with you'.

He will be well aware that cheating is wrong and he doesn't care. You informing him of this will make no difference to his future behaviour and it is not your responsibility to rehabilitate him.

I understand why you are derogatory and personal about the OW, and won't criticise you for it but I get the impression you work together (possibly as part of a larger organisation) if you've been talking to her workmates. Apologies if I am wrong but if so, I suggest that you refrain from discussing her appearance, presentation and habits with your/ her workmates as this could lead to a bullying accusation for you.

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 11:39

No, we don't work together - she used to be the stable hand at the yard where my friend kept her horse, which i used to share.

I'd just like to say that I have no problem with being civil to exes in general - I'm extremely civil with my ex husband. It's just this one, and purely because of how badly he behaved, not just in the cheating but in all the rest.

He doesn't deserve even a semblance of civility.

OP posts:
SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 23/09/2020 11:40

I agree you are being really nasty about OW. Incidentally, how does the conversation go where you discuss her qualifications?

You 'What qualifications does she have?'
Arsehole XP 'She doesn't have any qualifications'.

Is there only me thinking this is beyond bizarre? Hmm

growinggreyer · 23/09/2020 11:44

Whatever you say to him he will take that and use it as proof that you are mental. Just ignore him totally. He is nobody to you, just some guy that you were seeing, once upon a time. Block his number now and stop all this mental churning that you are doing here.

Sakurami · 23/09/2020 11:55
  1. he doesn't give a shiny shit about your feelings as he made obvious a few months ago
  2. replying to him will just feed his ego
  3. it sounds highly implausible despite the rumours that a woman has men lining up on the back of her building to give them blow jobs. What's in it for her? Educated or not it doesn't sound like it's the truth
  4. how weird is it that people tell you who has given them a blow job??
  5. ignore and forget him. He isn't worth it. Don't bother with the other woman, let her live her live and you yours
WiserOlder · 23/09/2020 11:58

Agree that your indifference will woind his ego more

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 12:01

3 and 4. You clearly don't know what goes on in some equestrian circles! It can be grim...theres much worse than that!

I've also wondered whats in it for women that do that (I've heard of another one too, similar circumstances) but I guess it takes all types. Any attention is good maybe?

I'm also taking into account what my friend told me about her. No one I know has a good word to say about her. Anyway, that's his choice of partner and he is free to pick who he chooses. I'm sure she has many good points.

OP posts:
Chocaholic9 · 23/09/2020 12:04

@SBTLove

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.
Are you the OW? If so take a wash sounds like you need it
Chocaholic9 · 23/09/2020 12:05

I don't think you need to reply. Don't waste your energy. Ignoring him really is the most appropriate response.

FelicityPike · 23/09/2020 12:17

@Heffalooomia

Yeah he's worried that you're going to damage his reputation, An evil person would respond a little bit, covertly find out what he's specifically afraid of and use that to get revenge
OR maybe they’re soul mates and will end up very happily together and have great life....while you wallow in self pity?
FelicityPike · 23/09/2020 12:18

Sorry that wasn’t the Post I meant to quote.....
Oops sorry

ravenmum · 23/09/2020 12:24

If you really believe that rumours about women going round the back of the bike sheds to pleasure crowds of men are not 99% nasty gossip by bitter people who want to make them out to be dirty because they - gasp - like sex or have slept with more than one man, then you're very gullible!

Bluntness100 · 23/09/2020 12:33

I’m not sure I believe she walks about with her tits hanging out in see through clothing and takes random men regularly round the back of pubs for blow jobs, and smells bad with poor personal hygiene. If this is the case she obviously has mental health issues and needs help.

I suspect more you’re jealous of her, because there was no need to go into this level of crude detail,

Overall I think you need to accept you’re not over it. You know the answer is not to interact sith him and I’m sure your mother would say the same, because that’s not cultural, it’s common sense. However you want to interact, you want to lash out at him, and you want to slag her off.

And that’s ok. Just own it.