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What on earth happened?

779 replies

Newbie96 · 01/03/2021 10:55

Hi everyone, long time reader but first-time poster. I'll just jump straight into it. Please be kind.

My boyfriend and I have been together officially for a year, we've known each other since we were around 13 - 14 and attempted to make a go of it as teenagers (around 18) but it never worked. We've been in contact ever since because we both have mutually been drawn to one another. He often tells me he has compared every woman he's been with to me and to be honest I've done the same.

I am now 25 and he is 27. We got together just before lockdown last year and have spent nearly every waking second with each other since. We had been spending a lot of time together prior to lockdown happening and we both jumped at the opportunity to become each other's support bubbles when the time came and to be honest, it has been total bliss, we genuinely never argue, he is like my bestfriend.

Luckily for us, the lockdown has been kind to us mostly because we've had each other to get through it and it has made us grow extremely closer. I can honestly say the past year we both have agreed that we have been the happiest we've ever been, our relationship being one of the main reasons.

We both live alone and so we stay back and forth between his place and mine, only having to travel now and then for work etc. Due to our history and of course how much time we've spent together, emotions have definitely intensified and I am very much in love with this man, he knows this and tells me he feels the same way.

So fast forward to the weekend just gone, we had planned that I would spend the weekend at his house. I arrive at around 6:30 on Friday evening and things are good but I can sense that something is off/ or that he isn't exactly in the mood. I decide to ignore it but it seems to only get worse. Usually, we would sit down, have a conversation about our day and watch a series episode together which we commentate back and forth with each other but this time it's pure silence. Neither of us was physical with each other, he actually even sat on the furthest part of the sofa away from me. I can honestly say this was the first time I felt a little unwelcome in his home, which is odd considering how much time I have spent there and I've never felt this way before.

I mean maybe I overlooked everything far too much so please tell me if that appears to be the case. An hour of silence goes by, most of the time it was him on his phone whilst I watched the episode by myself, he stands up and asks if I am hungry, I say yeah and he says okay I will cook something for us. As it was the first proper real words we had spoken to each other all night, I decided to ask if everything was okay? he says yeah so in a jokey, laughing tone I ask if he wants me over tonight as it feels a little as if I'm intruding.

Well what happens next I didn't expect it at all, he is stood in the doorway of the living room and begins to get more and more wound up, he starts off by saying "of course I want you over but you have been sat there all night with this miserable look on your face, giving off bad energy" his voice is slightly raised but I don't retaliate and I calmy say "okay well I must have read it wrong, I wasn't trying to give off bad energy, I've been looking forward to seeing you all day" but he is so annoyed and goes off again accusing me of being the reason why the energy is so wrong between us tonight and how dare I blame him for it. I apologise again and say that I must have had a long day. He then goes on to say "well this is weird for me now so I think its best you leave" I am in shock as he walks out of the living room into the kitchen, in an attempt to let things settle, I leave it 5 minutes and walk into the kitchen with him and ask if he would really like me to leave? He responds "I'm just saying maybe its best", the thing is I can see on his face he is visually angry and in my head, I can't figure out why he is so annoyed, over something that in my mind was so trivial and silly. Like a fricken helpless puppy dog, I look at him again and ask if HE wants me to leave? and he responds "you know what yeah I do".

I take myself to the other room and begin packing up my stuff and I can hear him stomping and slamming about. I obviously felt a little confused because the whole situation felt extremely blown out of proportion. Once my things are packed I give it one last attempt and go and sit next to him on the sofa, I ask him if we can talk about this and I gently reach my hand out to touch his arm, but he blows up and is practically foaming from the mouth shouting at me not to touch him and that he just wants me to leave, at one point he swings the front door open and walks out of the front door in nothing his dressing gown, I don't chase him because I was honestly just shocked. He begins texting me telling me to leave his house or he won't come back? - I replied and told him I'm leaving but I would have appreciated it if he came back and just spoke to me. After 5/6 minutes pass, he comes storming back into the flat, pushing past me in the hall and is still foaming at the mouth shouting at how it's my fault and I'm making it worse by not leaving. Like a fool, I started to cry because I could see this has all escalated into a situation I didn't want for us at all. He tells me crying doesn't help the situation so tearfully I leave. As I wait outside for a cab, I check my phone and notice that he has blocked my number, my WhatsApp and my Instagram. I am totally confused and hurt by all of this and in my honest moment of craziness, I create another account on Instagram and message "I'm sorry for everything that just happened, I didn't expect any of that. I accept I was in the wrong and that I read the situation wrong, please can we talk when things are calmer?" he replies "please just let me know when you are home as I won't be able to sleep until I know your home" I leave it and let him know I am home, he bluntly replies "good, night" I again press on and I ask if we can talk? he responds and says "no I just want to go to sleep, we have been so good lately and now I'm laying here crying," I tell him I love him and that I don't want him to be sad, he replies and says he knows I do and that I should go to sleep.

Saturday morning comes and I message saying I hope he is okay and that again when things are calmer can we talk about this? he reads and doesn't respond. Sunday I message again along the same lines but telling him I miss him, again he reads and doesn't respond.

This morning I received a message from him saying "I told you that you were just making everything worse on Friday and you just didn't listen, you just thought you knew better and now I'm going to show you what I meant. I don't care, sorry" I sent some messages, honestly being very weak and pitiful, telling him that I would just like us to talk and sort this out as I miss him and this isn't like us at all, I then check for a response and he has blocked me from that account as well, so there are no ways of contacting him.

I just can't make sense of it all, we have never argued like this ever. I didn't expect him to blow up the way he did after asking him if everything was okay. I just feel like its all my fault for ruining something that we had so good. I feel really sad, low and alone and just wish he would calm down and speak to me.

Please give me your take on this entire, childish and shit situation. Did I do something wrong? and is he really never going to speak to me again over that?

Thank you

OP posts:
Rubyflint · 07/03/2021 23:49

Got the ick sounds ridiculous. Feeling icky makes more sense doesn’t it?

Roszie · 08/03/2021 10:37

How are you OP?

BlackCatShadow · 08/03/2021 11:10

@Rubyflint

Got the ick sounds ridiculous. Feeling icky makes more sense doesn’t it?
i think the nuance is quite different. Feeling icky sounds like a momentary feeling, like you will wake up the next day and feel better. Got the ick is something that once you've got it, you can't un-get it.
CleverCatty · 08/03/2021 11:12

Saw your update and just wanted to say a big well done!

He is a completely cowardly idiot texting you from another phone and then expecting you to forgive and forget and go back to him is ridiculous.

Well done again and you did exactly the right thing. Anyone who tells you otherwise just ignore them.

Snowball70 · 09/03/2021 01:35

well done 🌺

toolatetofixate · 09/03/2021 01:55

Well done OP. Now that you've called him for all the cunts he deserves, block and seriously don't talk to him ever again. You'll grow not to be surprised if he does try to contract you again- it's highly likely. Just keep blocking. You see him for what he is now.

Snowball70 · 09/03/2021 22:23

how are you OP

LifesLittleDeciders · 09/03/2021 22:41

Blocking you immediately is a red flag. Sounds like he’s met someone else and doesn’t want you to find out too quickly.

Sounds like he wanted to end the relationship anyway but just didn’t have a balls; so when you claimed to feel unwelcome (rightfully so) he saw an opportunity to make it seem like you had caused an argument and that’s what ended the relationship.

He saw your question as a get out of jail free card.

Advance to GO and leave the bastard behind.

Sametimenextyear2 · 10/03/2021 09:26

Thought he'd try & skulking back...right from your first post.
Classic Angel Demon game.

Roszie · 14/03/2021 14:21

Has he wheedle his way back yet?

MeowPurrGrr · 15/03/2021 16:56

Just checking in how you’re doing. Hope things are ok!

tiredybear · 16/03/2021 20:39

Hey OP, have just caught up on the thread and delighted that you let rip at him. How are you doing today?

Oh, and if anyone can point me in the direction of that 'dumped by text' thread, I'd be really grateful!

Newbie96 · 17/03/2021 12:05

Hi All,
Sorry that it has been a while, to jump straight to it, no significant change has happened! but I'm still here and fighting or trying to at least.

For the most part, I've been feeling OK however today I'm down in the dumps and keep crying, not sure if due to hormonal reasons or not lol.

A couple of days ago he reached out again, sending a pretty lengthy email, which pretty much just said that he 'can't get over what happened at his house that night - apparently, he can't get over how I acted (he clearly has a different recollection of the night to what I do) and that doesn't want a relationship right now but would like if we could stay in touch and be friends. At one point he turned the email rather sexual and was telling me the things he wants to do to me... sorry for TMI.
He also goes on to mention that he will always have me/ be there for me and that he cares about me so much etc, etc but then also says he doesn't miss me otherwise he would be grovelling but doesn't see why we should result to blocking each other.

To be honest, all in all, a rather ridiculous excuse of an email and ladies, still no sign of remorse.

I haven't replied, maybe the email is why I feel so shit again. I realise I'm grieving a person that doesn't exist anymore. I won't lie to you, I have had a few moments where I think I don't know what I'm doing anymore, I feel lost but I'm managing, so I guess that's all that matters.

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 17/03/2021 12:25

He also goes on to mention that he will always have me/ be there for me and that he cares about me so much etc, etc but then also says he doesn't miss me otherwise he would be grovelling but doesn't see why we should result to blocking each other.

Why are you giving him the chance to make the unilateral decision on this?

You don't have to agree to blocking each other, just block him yourself!

Newbie96 · 17/03/2021 12:35

youvegottenminuteslynn ,

Hi, I haven't allowed him to make any decisions for me whatsoever.

I have/had him blocked on everything since this all started- he reached out via sending an email in an attempt for me to unblock him.

  1. i don't know where he got my email from
  2. i didn't respond nor unblock him
OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 17/03/2021 12:38

@Newbie96

youvegottenminuteslynn ,

Hi, I haven't allowed him to make any decisions for me whatsoever.

I have/had him blocked on everything since this all started- he reached out via sending an email in an attempt for me to unblock him.

  1. i don't know where he got my email from
  2. i didn't respond nor unblock him
Apologies if my message sounded accusatory. All you can do in that case is not engage with him when he does things like this. At all. No replies, nothing. Delete before you even read it. Zero engagement will hopefully make him run out of steam and piss off!
starskey80 · 17/03/2021 12:40

Wow, it's actually disturbing how he had such a different view on what happened.

I'm so glad he showed his true face this early on, before you were deeper in.

I know it hurts OP, but you are doing so well, and in time will realise what a massive bullet you just dodged.

Id say he's shocked to fook you are not grovelling.

Newbie96 · 17/03/2021 12:46

youvegottenminuteslynn , Oh not to worry Flowers I do agree nothing else needs to be said at this point. I would have liked an apology though maybe, but ill survive.

starskey80 - I think your right and I can imagine he is definitely shocked at how I've handled the situation. I don't know what he expected!

OP posts:
AmberItsACertainty · 17/03/2021 12:56

My take on it is you were never right for each other and he's been stringing you along in the background all these years for an ego boost. None of those things he told you about comparing others to you was true it was just words designed to hook you in and keep you there. Lockdown happened and you made the perfect lockdown girlfriend which was a better option for him than being single. Now lockdown is coming to an end and he wants an out. So he engineered one where he can both blame you for the situation and still have you hanging around in the background hoping for a second chance with him. Basically he's a grade-A arsehole, controlling, manipulative, unkind and until now you never knew the real him. Now you've seen him, run and don't look back!

Sssloou · 17/03/2021 13:35

@AmberItsACertainty

My take on it is you were never right for each other and he's been stringing you along in the background all these years for an ego boost. None of those things he told you about comparing others to you was true it was just words designed to hook you in and keep you there. Lockdown happened and you made the perfect lockdown girlfriend which was a better option for him than being single. Now lockdown is coming to an end and he wants an out. So he engineered one where he can both blame you for the situation and still have you hanging around in the background hoping for a second chance with him. Basically he's a grade-A arsehole, controlling, manipulative, unkind and until now you never knew the real him. Now you've seen him, run and don't look back!
I agree with this. I also sense that you thought you weren’t in his league as you say you idolised him from being a young teen, he was jack the lad with lots of women - but somehow you found yourself in some fantasy of taming him - maybe a subconscious ego boost for you as well?

Why I say fantasy or being stuck in a grateful / cant believe I have landed here mindset is because only some time after your separation you were able to “see” on the redness flags.

Also your “explosion” on him sounds like someone who has been repressing a lot. It seems that on reflection this RS was not equal or mutual and you tolerated and internalised a lot.

His behaviour was not good that night - but you already had experienced bad behaviour from him before with the silent treatment for 3 days - that final night was “just” an incremental escalation / extension of his previous behaviour.

You have done well to keep your distance. He expected you to come running and you haven’t - he is also uncomfortable with NC because he can’t keep yanking your chain.

His email I would delete because it will all just keep swilling around in your head - you will revisit it and ponder over every word trying to make meaning - that is just rumination and will deepen your hurt and slow your recovery.

Go through the grieving process for what you believed you had - shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression ..... until acceptance - that you are not compatible.

Don’t allow him to guilt you back into the friend zone for his ego - friends don’t treat each other like that.

Get busy and know your self worth

Phoenixdays · 17/03/2021 13:57

He says let’s be friends and then he starts sex chatting. He sounds unstable!
Delete his email so you aren’t tempted to respond in anger. You will always have the upper hand by not responding

YNK · 17/03/2021 14:02

I'm so glad you managed to dodge a very nasty bullet OP.
I only came across the thread today but before I was even halfway through I knew you hadn't heard the last of him.
It's classic abuser behaviour to destabilise you then reel you back in with your defenses down and the next move would be to demolish the boundaries you need to keep yourself safe.

Newbie96 · 17/03/2021 14:14

AmberItsACertainty Thank you for your comment, I know you are right, it is still such a horrible feeling though.

Sssloou Wow your comment is really insightful, I definitely relate to almost every aspect of what you said. I just deleted the email. Even when I feel ok, it still feels as though something is missing.

Phoenixdays That is exactly what I thought, I didn't know how to make sense of it at all?

YNK Thank you for your words and honestly for reading on this far, I feel like I've lost something huge and the fact that he seems perfectly fine is a kick to the stomach honestly.

OP posts:
Zebracat · 17/03/2021 14:31

Hi op. He isnt fine, he’s trying so hard to be in control and reel you in and you aren’t playing, that will really mess with his head. You were so nice to him and in his mind, that meant you were a doormat, but you have behaved with complete dignity and self respect, and not fallen for his games. Well done you.

Newbie96 · 17/03/2021 14:54

Zebracat Thank you for your comment, you are really kind because, to be honest, I don't feel as though I have acted or handled it that way!

I'm usually quite a warm and loving person but recently I feel really cold, heartless and unemotional and I really don't want this experience to turn me that way, I have a lot of love to give and hopefully, the love I have given out will make its way back to me at some point.

OP posts: