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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:
IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 12:33

ravenmum I was actually at the party where it happened. New years party at the yard in the owner's house. The pair of them were teased about it when they came back in - yes I know. But I do know her.

I also know that my friend throwing her out of her house for coming onto her husband during another house party wasn't made up.

But these things happened when she was about 21, perhaps she's changed.

Now I'm going to get criticised for giving more detail. Honestly though, the thought of your (now ex) dicking around with another woman is pretty sickening. I couldn't even get a straight answer out of him when it started and was so worried until I got the result of my std test. She was even one of my friends on FB at that time, so would have seen photos of us together - fortunately she removed herself, although she seems to make all her posts public now.

OP posts:
IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 12:34

I think anyone would be a bit traumatised!

OP posts:
ravenmum · 23/09/2020 12:35

used to go round the back of the building where she worked to give men bjs --> went in the garden with one man? Riiiight.

newnameforthis123 · 23/09/2020 12:38

You know her profile is public now and say it didn't used to be. So you're obviously proactively looking her up. It's time to move on now.

Don't reply, block him and either stop giving so much headspace to him (and her) or seek some support so you can do so eventually.

Bluntness100 · 23/09/2020 12:39

So she got pissed at a New Year’s Eve do and got it on with a bloke when she was about twenty one, and apparently hit on someone’s husband about the same age

So this means she’s forever taking randoms out for blow jobs.

Cmon op. He cheated and dumped you. slagging her off like this isn’t going to change it.

Bluntness100 · 23/09/2020 12:40

And agree with newname, stop stalking her on line.

SuzieCarmichael · 23/09/2020 13:56

Is this a Jilly Cooper novel?

tornadoalley · 23/09/2020 20:28

I would tell him to fuck the fuck off, and never contact me again. I feel I'd have the right to let him know in no uncertain terms what I thought of him. Then I'd block him.

slipperywhensparticus · 23/09/2020 20:43

She is making it public so you and others can see (my exes new fiancé does this and announces their engagement every 6 months or so on public so I can see i only reacted once to say he was shameful for not paying child support and buying her a ring instead the resulting fall out meant he didn't bother to see (or pay) for his kids for a month 🤔 she seems to hope it will happen again so keeps announcing it ive blocked her so she asks people to tell me my response is a disinterested really? Or my favourite again? Eyeroll change subject)

Block and move along there is nothing to see there

KeepingPlain · 23/09/2020 20:48

I would reply and tell him how disgusting, low and horrible he is, and how I would never make the mistake of lowering myself to his standard again. But I'd have told him that after he cheated to be honest, so by this point it would be including how moronic he is that he needs told again.

He likely just wants sex again because he has no other options.

Closetbeanmuncher · 23/09/2020 20:52

basically he just turns into whatever person he thinks you want him to be to get sex

Not uncommon behaviour unfortunately. The world belongs to sexually incontinent scutters and their enablers...

Whilst I'm all for telling I how it is I wouldn't waste my breath on this moron.

bringbacksideburns · 23/09/2020 21:05

No. Block him and move on.

You say he doesn't have many friends. Wonder Why?
He treated you very cruelly and coldly and he knows it. He's just thinking about himself because its not worked out quite as he thought it would. So he thinks you may take him back.

Secure your privacy on social media too. If you bump into him don't chat just acknowledge him.

I would never speak to anyone again who had dumped my belongings on the doorstep.

Anordinarymum · 23/09/2020 21:10

Don't allow him the pleasure of knowing what you think is my advice. Move along there...........

jetadore · 23/09/2020 21:58

Having lived as an expat in The Netherlands, and the UK, I completely understand where you’re coming from regarding the plain speaking, but can assure you it will not go over well in this country. It’s actually refreshing once you get used to it provided if you have the emotional resilience to give and take it without malice, however the British, as a rule, don’t. The several “you sound lovely”s you’ve received are more typical of the preferred, backhanded way of delivering criticism. People would sooner leap to the defence of and make excuses for this OW’s behaviour than allow you to criticise her on here, as doing so would be very bad form, almost a greater wrong than the infidelity itself. The Brits take great satisfaction in judging someone harshly whilst giving the outward appearance of indifference, or even approval. Likewise, they hate being on the receiving end of this treatment.

Best stick to sweeping things under the carpet, stewing in your emotions and posting long AIBUs to convince yourself you really are in the right, whilst ignoring all suggestions involving actually confronting a problem. This attitude also fosters a general inclination to disregard any criticism, however accurate. So, while delivering a few home truths would probably be good for this idiot, you can rest assured they won’t be taken on board.

So, I agree with the other posters, but for different reasons: just ignore the prick. When in Rome…

Daphnise · 23/09/2020 22:02

You find brevity very difficult.

Don't.

IncandescentSilver · 23/09/2020 22:17

Thank you Jetadore that makes a lot of sense. At least it doesn't make sense, that which you describe, but you make sense. Its a very different society in many ways. I think in NL, several people might have given him a telling over the years already. And quite possibly, I would have been warned about getting involved with him.

Daphnise I see your point.

bringbacksideburns I would never speak to anyone again who had dumped my belongings on the doorstep

Thats why he did it. To create upset and drama. To be the worst he could be. Fucking psycho.

Thanks all. I haven't texted back yet. I've set myself a deadline of not texting for the next 2 weeks, which is manageable.

OP posts:
midsummabreak · 23/09/2020 23:37

What a blessing that he left you for OW
You have been saved from further misery with this nasty person in your life.

Your reactions are understandable, you believed him to be a good partner and felt safe with him. You now see that he is not that someone that you thought he was, yet have been surprised to see his text saying that he wants to apologise

Perhaps a part of you still believes that he would care more if you told him how disgusted you were by his actions. You are right that he now regrets his decision to behave the way he did , but not because he is motivated by not wanting to hurt you, but because he wants what you have to offer him- it is always going to about him, and what he wants, and you sadly have been unwittingly on the receiving end his selfish wants previously.

You will no longer have any difficulty cutting him off with no response when you refuse to believe any of the words that come from him. That is the part where you may be still be getting caught up

He is not the kind of person who will grow empathy from hearing others’ point of view. Yes, he may now regret some of his actions, but only because the grass is greener and now he wants something from you...a cosy flat, a kind partner with a great income who believes his lies and can put up with him if he tells them he was so wrong and will change, whatever the game, you can be assured that that is all it is to him- a game He is not sincere.

You do not have to pay attention to any of his texts however it is understandable if you feel like telling him ‘ how it is’

But please stay away from drama whenever you can to protect yourself from this arsehole. You have seen his true colours and will no longer be giving him any opportunity to engage in his insincere crap.

He wants you to believe him. You know better

midsummabreak · 23/09/2020 23:40

FlowersFlowersBrew

midsummabreak · 23/09/2020 23:49

Enjoy moving on without this crap in your life- You are free to find someone gorgeous, kind, sincere, and have a bright future ahead free from this arsehole. - thank goodness for the OW GrinGrin
Flowers

JingsMahBucket · 24/09/2020 00:12

@jetadore I LOVE your post. It perfectly sums up the weaselly nature of British conversation both online and IRL. Thank you for it.

Nyclair · 24/09/2020 04:26

Don't reply, he's not worth your time or energy. But I do take offense to the way you have spoken about the OW, judgemental much?

Palavah · 24/09/2020 04:47

You might feel better as you draft it. You might feel better when you press send. You wont feel better waiting to find out if he's read it. And waiting. And waiting. You won't get the response you're looking for. You'll just hand him back the power again. He's already blocked you on whatsapp. Just block his number altogether. And if you do bump into him, ignore him.

greyblueeyes · 24/09/2020 04:54

The way you talk about the OW is nasty and cruel. She didn't cheat on you; your ex did. It's not a good look for women to speak about each other the way you are here.

HaggieMaggie · 24/09/2020 05:07

You sound too invested. Just don’t reply then you have your closure.

RantyAnty · 24/09/2020 07:15

Delete block ignore.

Giving yourself a deadline not to text him seems you're still invested in what this loser thinks.

The OW may not have been a prize, but he's not a prize either. He isn't some upstanding bloke who got bamboozled by a loose woman. He's sludge right down there in the bottom of the gutter.