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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:
ElleDubloo · 02/03/2021 05:51

I agree with @gutful you should have left straight away. I’m one who wants to talk about things when I’m upset, but my husband is the complete opposite. If he’s upset about something (whatever it may be) he’ll give off an attitude, I’ll leave him alone, and a while later he’ll come to me looking for a hug. If he wants to talk, he’ll talk. Otherwise I’m not going to put up with an attitude. I’m not going to hang around him and beg.

I don’t know what set your boyfriend off. But I’m sorry, I can see how you made it worse.

mathanxiety · 02/03/2021 06:09

@Newbie96 - you were involved in a relationship for many years with a man who is a classic abuser. Lucky for you he let his mask slip before he really had you trapped.

The intense wonderfulness of the relationship up to now, the way fate seemed to play such a role, is a red flag. What jumps out is that you say you never had an argument. This shows that there was love bombing, that someone was engaging in a lot of mirroring. It's how narcissists conduct themselves in relationships.

None of the relationship was healthy, and the traumatic way it ended really sucked. You will be in a state of shock for a while.

But please, please do not contact this man again, and do not respond to any contact from him. Think of the relationship as a drug you were invited to take - because in a way that is exactly what it was. The only way to get over and past this is cold turkey.

Loggerino · 02/03/2021 06:19

I think he was/is using you. He ysed you during lockdown, and now its coming to an end, he wants to 'get back out there'. But, it had to be your fault, so he isnt 'the bad guy', because that would make 'reeling you in' next time he needs an ego boost/sex/laundry too difficult. I'd put money on there being a reel in attempt in future. He's toying with you like a cat does a mouse.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 06:19

@ElleDubloo

I agree with *@gutful* you should have left straight away. I’m one who wants to talk about things when I’m upset, but my husband is the complete opposite. If he’s upset about something (whatever it may be) he’ll give off an attitude, I’ll leave him alone, and a while later he’ll come to me looking for a hug. If he wants to talk, he’ll talk. Otherwise I’m not going to put up with an attitude. I’m not going to hang around him and beg.

I don’t know what set your boyfriend off. But I’m sorry, I can see how you made it worse.

She “made it worse”? By being completely blindsided after a year of love bombing? Nah, mate. And honestly, I’m sorry you have to live like that. Personally don’t put up with that shit, and neither does my husband
PeggyHill · 02/03/2021 06:25

He is a horrible person and you should never contact him again. You don't need people like that in your life.

ElleDubloo · 02/03/2021 06:31

@AGirlCalledJohnny How many times did the BF ask OP to leave? Yes she absolutely made it worse. If it was me it would have gone something like this:

Go to BFs house, be nice.
BF is sullen and silent.
Me: would you like me to leave?
BF: yes
Me: ok, text me when you want to hang out! Byeee! Halo

And btw I have a great marriage, we get on fine, he’ll do anything for me, and when he’s in a bad mood I give him space. Recognising that different people’s brains are wired differently.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 06:41

If it was me

I stand corrected. NVM OP. We should all give pause and think ‘what would Elle do?’ next time we’ve been gaslit for years and the person we love more than anything has such a temper tantrum he throws us out of his flat and blocks us on all social media. For daring to ask what’s wrong? Okay. Sounds healthy 🥴

Super advice 👍🏻

Youllbeoldertoo · 02/03/2021 06:41

@Newbie96

My ex used to do things like this and I would be devastated and confused when he finally dumped me for good I was heartbroken but once I was over it I was so happy, I often say the best thing he ever did for me was leave me.

What’s he like is other parts of his life? I have a feeling he’s not doing well in other parts of his life is he? My ex was deeply unhappy and would take his unhappiness out on me. I’m with a well adjusted man now and in 10 years he has never done what my ex used to do to me and what your partner has done to you. It’s not what normal healthy relationships are. I’m sorry op, but you’re better off without him, you did NOTHING wrong. You should be able to ask your partner if they are ok! Come on op you know that. I’m sorry but try and move on from him. Very hard that he’s flipped the switch on you.

mathanxiety · 02/03/2021 06:46

you should have left straight away.

I always behave like a Private Second Class too, and I believe everyone should be ready to do likewise when a partner clearly needs space. Someone barks an order at me, I hop up and salute, say, "Yessir!", and do exactly what I'm told.

[sarcasm]

ElleDubloo · 02/03/2021 06:46

@AGirlCalledJohnny LOL if you read my post, nowhere do I say I’m on the BF’s side. He obviously reacted very badly! Goodness knows what’s up with him. My point is simply I can’t get over how long the OP stayed. My point is that if someone treats you like that, you leave. Would you have behaved exactly like OP then - stayed and begged pathetically for what seems like hours?

gutful · 02/03/2021 06:48

@ElleDubloo am glad one other person read this thread the same way....

It was even at the point that when he had blocked her from social media she immediately created a new account which to contact him again.

The repeated refusal to leave to me seems to have culminated in him going full break up & blocking from social media.

The interaction could have gone:
Bad atmosphere
Says it's best to leave
She goes "Ok you seem obviously out of sorts, will leave you be & you know where I am"

It may not have escalated to a whole break up & social media block. To me it reads that the drama over not leaving escalated to the point of him cutting the cord on the whole relationship.

Obviously we don't know - she could have gone willingly the first time was asked & this could still have happened.

ElleDubloo · 02/03/2021 06:48

@mathanxiety Wow thanks for clarifying the sarcasm! I’m so relieved!

ElleDubloo · 02/03/2021 06:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Youllbeoldertoo · 02/03/2021 07:05

@ElleDubloo

Is that a helpful post? You can see the op is beating herself up. Do you really need to confirm to someone who is struggling that it’s all their fault? Where is your kindness? She was probably shocked in his sudden change, I don’t think she really did anything wrong, we don’t know she stayed hours this could have all taken about 10 mins for all we know.

MMfanalltheway · 02/03/2021 07:09

I've had this dynamic. It's when they've simply lost interest. They will toy with you as long as they need you i.e. until new relationship is confirmed. OP, it's completely over. He has ordered you out of his house and his life. Over. End of story. You will live happily ever after though, because he's not a nice person and you are.

countesskay · 02/03/2021 07:10

It sounds like he should have been honest before you arrived and said "I'm not up for you coming over later, can we do X day instead"

But I agree with others that it is not good for you or others when they request something like asking you to leave and you don't do that.

I think (albeit in a shitty way) said at least 3-4 times that he wanted you to leave, to the point he left the house himself.

I know he is your BF but you wouldn't do that I imagine if you were asked to leave a friends house or workplace.

In that moment you stomp over people's boundaries and requests and I imagine apart of this lead to his extreme outburst and blocking you.

It sounds like you have perhaps an anxious attachment style in relationship, and the rejection then triggered you to want to stay, make things better etc.

If he does come back to you, please think carefully whether this is what you want in a relationship. At the very least have an open conversation about expectation of time together and time apart and how much you both need.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 07:12

Elle Holy shit. The victim blaming on here is next level. Make no mistake, I read your post and understood it very well.

Newbie96 You did nothing wrong by asking what had gone so wrong, so fast. After spending all that time together, that was a serious sea change. Totally bewildering. Other people saying they’d have immediately walked out is all very well, but they don’t know your intimate history or how confused you were by the sudden about face. You reacted the way you reacted because of your history with him

MaryIsA · 02/03/2021 07:16

Yep, immature twat. He will be back when he finds he can’t be an immature twat with the next one, by which time you will have well moved on. Don’t be sitting there waiting for him.

gutful · 02/03/2021 07:19

@ElleDubloo nailed it

If the roles were reversed & an OP said their BF had come round, weird atmosphere so they asked them to leave & then the BF had done all this we'd be saying that bloke was disrespecting boundaries & that shouldn't be tolerated.

Also this repeated description of him "foaming at the mouth" was this some spittle buildup or flecks flying out? It's all so dramatic

Even the part "I gently touch his arm" When someone is telling you to leave & you continually refuse it's not a great idea to touch them because they are trying to create space from you, not get closer.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 07:20

@countesskay

It sounds like he should have been honest before you arrived and said "I'm not up for you coming over later, can we do X day instead"

But I agree with others that it is not good for you or others when they request something like asking you to leave and you don't do that.

I think (albeit in a shitty way) said at least 3-4 times that he wanted you to leave, to the point he left the house himself.

I know he is your BF but you wouldn't do that I imagine if you were asked to leave a friends house or workplace.

In that moment you stomp over people's boundaries and requests and I imagine apart of this lead to his extreme outburst and blocking you.

It sounds like you have perhaps an anxious attachment style in relationship, and the rejection then triggered you to want to stay, make things better etc.

If he does come back to you, please think carefully whether this is what you want in a relationship. At the very least have an open conversation about expectation of time together and time apart and how much you both need.

Are you wilfully ignoring the OP was completely and utterly blindsided? Had thought herself with the love of her life, one of her best friends since she was teen? Trusted implicitly.

Workplace scenarios are completely inappropriate. But thanks for that hot fucking countesskay

(Ironically Kay not being at all classy)

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 07:22

Hot fucking take. Stand by it 😉

DoLallyTapMum · 02/03/2021 07:22

In all honesty this is how the abuse started for me, it was 6 months in and out of the blue. If he treats you like this then run for the hills. I completely understand why you kept contacting him but honestly that is a dangerous thing to do when someone is angry. Most likely he will calm down and contact you again, but you need to have enough self respect to tell him to go away at the point, as hard as it will be, otherwise these incidents will increase and intensify.

blisstwins · 02/03/2021 07:23

There is no way OP should be blamed for anything here. This is someone she has known for a decade and had a close relationship for a year. The had a funky atmosphere and she wanted to talk about it/clarification. If she had left the outcome would have been the same. You know he would have said "I cannot believe you left! Now I can never trust you!" Then he would have blocked and done the same thing. She helped him financially and seems to be a good, hard on herself soul who has been taken advantage of. This guy is a douche who cheated or has someone lined up or is a drug addict or has a mental illness (untreated). Most likely some combination and certainly he is a real ass for making OP so confused. This is not the way to end a relationship. It is plain unkind. OP you really did dodge a bullet and you also have to work on your self respect. You are kind and caring, and need better boundaries. You cannot fix everything and everybody by being nice, and frankly the person you need to be the kindest to is yourself. If you cannot do that you will certainly have a hard time picking a better partner. This was a learning experience. I loved the way someone else reframed time wasted v. time spent. You have learned a lot. Take it from someone who divorced after 16 year married and 2 kids. Better to learn this all now.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 02/03/2021 07:24

Yup

mycatisgivingyouthefinger · 02/03/2021 07:37

I had this experience with an ex. He was BPD and would pull exactly this kind of behaviour. Made me feel crazy as so much time could pass in between this sort of nonsense so it felt more good than bad. But the bad was really bad.

You will regret entertaining it for even a second instead of simply leaving when he told you to (the cunt) and never speaking to him again. He sounds insane and he will unblock you and try to communicate with you again. They have skill. Block him and don't look back. What's happened has happened and now you can move on.

You are lucky that you didn't waste too much time on him. It hurts like hell but he was always going to pull this behaviour at one time or another. You should block him. I didn't and I got sucked back in twice more before finally seeing things for what they were. What a spooky out of body experience that was. I felt like I was looking at him through a glass screen and seeing him for exactly who he was as he frothed and foamed and shouted and stamped like a damn child.

I'm with someone amazing now and I kick myself still that I never blocked my ex and moved on at the very first instance of such behaviour.