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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

Utterly heartbroken

285 replies

Happinessevaded · 12/04/2021 20:37

I don’t know where to turn. I’ve no friends anymore and am so lonely and my long term partner told me this weekend that he doesn’t think staying together is right for us. It’s very complicated, he is going through a divorce and he has trust issues as have I.

On paper it sounds doomed but only last week he was saying he still wants to build a life with me irrespective of our differences and the past hurt. This weekend after much conflict around his divorce - conflict between him and I, he reached the conclusion it won’t work and we would be miserable given the challenges of different histories and lifestyles. He maintains after a blow out last week that he’s come to the realisation that whilst we are still deeply in love certain challenges are too big.

He has also said he will consider meeting up if after some time of reflection I still want to meet but he feels he can’t change how he feels because of all the past hurt and things I shared which has given him an impression that my values are not what I say they are, so meeting isn’t the right thing but he’ll still do it if I want to but I need to seriously think if it’s the right thing.
When we met I’d come out of an abusive relationship with my Dcs dad and thought I was in a good place but in hindsight I wasn’t ready. He was as he’s older and has been ‘single’ for years.

He’s messaged after our discussions to say thank you for a thoughtful message I sent outlying I understood why we are here and he loves me and I said I’d think about meeting and whether it was in reality the right thing to do and sent him a long message outlining my concerns and if I still think it’s the right decision to meet. I’ve not committed to meeting just yet either way. He won’t read it tonight as emotions are still running high and he is tired from work and needs time.

He’s says he still loves me and wants to save our relationship but as of now doesn’t think it’s possible or the right thing as he doesn’t think he can change his uncomfortable feelings about things I shared about my previous lifestyle. I used to go out a lot and party and he thinks that lifestyle is incompatible with a relationship. I don’t go out anymore as I’m far too old and just am not interested but he struggles to believe this.

Is there still hope considering he will still meet and hasn’t stopped communication. We are still kind towards each other there is no aggression but a lot of hurt.

He is sensitive and takes time to process things but a lot has happened including his divorce is in year two. When we met I had a close platonic friend whom he thinks was more - it wasn’t but he was a close childhood friend and he can’t get past the fact I was so close and that it was inappropriate considering our new relationship and how much I said I loved him. I was spending time with this friend but in a group and at the time he was still spending time with his family and didn’t disclose this as I’d get the wrong impression. This friend did have feelings for me but at the same time he was still dissolving his marriage. I was not the OW. All this happens years ago but for some reason it’s all come to a head.

We spent all weekend talking after an enormous argument and it was terribly sad but we were still very loving and kind and there is still intimacy which under the circumstances wasn’t smart.

I want to save the relationship but he is so conflicted doesn’t know what to do and veers between he’s thinks it’s doomed to not being sure what to do and will consider all I have said. Last week it was entirely the other way around I said I couldn’t do it anymore as the divorce was dragging and we do have challenges. I’m so sad but know I can’t change his mind he has to come to conclusions on his own life I’ve done. Just when I get to a place where I want to save things he doesn’t.

This is very jumbled but im struggling to gather my thoughts.

What can I do to save things.

OP posts:
BlueDahlia69 · 13/04/2021 13:04

To go back to a previous poster’s cup of tea analogy - it’s like saying you could have had a lovely cup of tea if someone hadn’t shat in it. But they (he) did and there’s no amount of stirring and sieving you can do now to change the fact the tea has shit in it. The tea is undrinkable and needs pouring away, no use sitting crying about what a nice cup of tea it could have been. Make yourself a fresh one.

😂🤣😂

spot on

TedMullins · 13/04/2021 13:24

This is really sad to read. Someone who loved you wouldn’t make you feel like you’ve done anything wrong by having a perfectly normal past. That is controlling and manipulative, turning you into the bad guy and him into the victim and making you desperate for his approval and feel like you have to ‘prove yourself’. You can’t. Nothing you do will ever be enough for this man, because it isn’t a simple case of ‘if he could get over my past everything would be fine’. This isn’t just about you, it’s about his views on women and how they should behave, his contempt for them, and you, and his need to control you and keep you subservient. This is NOT what love looks like. Of course there’s been happy times as well, emotional abusers aren’t nasty all the time or they’d never be able to find anyone to abuse. It doesn’t matter whether he’s doing this intentionally, or if it is the unintentional consequence of his deeply ingrained cultural views, because the result is still the same. Unfortunately it does seem like your boundaries are still skewed from your last abusive relationship and you feel somehow that you’re to blame. You’re not. He’s no good and he isn’t treating you with love.

Ethelfromnumber73 · 13/04/2021 13:26

@TedMullins

This is really sad to read. Someone who loved you wouldn’t make you feel like you’ve done anything wrong by having a perfectly normal past. That is controlling and manipulative, turning you into the bad guy and him into the victim and making you desperate for his approval and feel like you have to ‘prove yourself’. You can’t. Nothing you do will ever be enough for this man, because it isn’t a simple case of ‘if he could get over my past everything would be fine’. This isn’t just about you, it’s about his views on women and how they should behave, his contempt for them, and you, and his need to control you and keep you subservient. This is NOT what love looks like. Of course there’s been happy times as well, emotional abusers aren’t nasty all the time or they’d never be able to find anyone to abuse. It doesn’t matter whether he’s doing this intentionally, or if it is the unintentional consequence of his deeply ingrained cultural views, because the result is still the same. Unfortunately it does seem like your boundaries are still skewed from your last abusive relationship and you feel somehow that you’re to blame. You’re not. He’s no good and he isn’t treating you with love.
Absolutely spot on
grapewine · 13/04/2021 13:30

@TedMullins

This is really sad to read. Someone who loved you wouldn’t make you feel like you’ve done anything wrong by having a perfectly normal past. That is controlling and manipulative, turning you into the bad guy and him into the victim and making you desperate for his approval and feel like you have to ‘prove yourself’. You can’t. Nothing you do will ever be enough for this man, because it isn’t a simple case of ‘if he could get over my past everything would be fine’. This isn’t just about you, it’s about his views on women and how they should behave, his contempt for them, and you, and his need to control you and keep you subservient. This is NOT what love looks like. Of course there’s been happy times as well, emotional abusers aren’t nasty all the time or they’d never be able to find anyone to abuse. It doesn’t matter whether he’s doing this intentionally, or if it is the unintentional consequence of his deeply ingrained cultural views, because the result is still the same. Unfortunately it does seem like your boundaries are still skewed from your last abusive relationship and you feel somehow that you’re to blame. You’re not. He’s no good and he isn’t treating you with love.
All of this. So true.
MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 13:39

Doesn't exactly sound like he's lived the life of monk while he's been with numerous women after he (and it sounds like he left, it first sound like it was mutual) left his wife and family, while still technically married.

And he did that when older and wiser, and having had children with his wife.

If you were to approach him the way he approaches you, he could never be forgiven or trusted for doing that - including the lying by omission about spending time with his ex etc during your relationship.

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 13:41

If he leave's a woman he's made a life and bright children into the world with because they've become like house mates (hardly uncommon) ... Why is he such a sterling character who:d never do similar to you ...
But you're the one with the shaft past who can't be trusted etc

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 13:42

*shady

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 13:43

He's really done a number on you op, really hot you under the thumb .. you need to take a good look at this guy, as if he were a partner of a friend or sister

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 14:08

Yes he did leave as he couldn’t stand the conflict and the mismatch in parenting. He is calm and apparently she wasn’t at all.

I am trying to take on board everything but I think in someways things can improve because there is still what I think is kindness and care but then because of everything else being said it can’t. What really hits home is he doesn’t want to be with me anymore and I don’t know why as just last week he said the total and complete opposite. I’m not ignoring the facts of what everyone is saying I am just finding it impossible to accept this is actually the case as it doesn’t feel like it when we are together and he is in incredibly attentive. I’m sorry if this is frustrating.

OP posts:
IWantYoutoKnow · 13/04/2021 14:12

I am trying to take on board everything but I think in someways things can improve because there is still what I think is kindness and care but then because of everything else being said it can’t.

There are pages and pages of 'leave this situation immediately', yet you are not listening and determined to continue this mess. It's not only frustrating, but incredibly depressing. He calls all the shots and you seem to be willing to relinquish all of yourself to this horrible man. I feel really sad for you.

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 14:20

He is calm and apparently she wasn’t at all.

He doesn't sound all that calm to me!

Also one can understand how she'd not be calm if she had to deal with the sort of head wrecking nonsense he's been throwing at you!

MarshmallowAra · 13/04/2021 14:24

Just because someone's not the screaming and shouting type, doesn't mean they are reasonable or non abusive.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 14:24

Why the hell is he still saying he loves me then! I’m sorry if I come across as very stupid but I just don’t get it at all because it doesn’t feel abusive to me.

OP posts:
BigButtons · 13/04/2021 14:33

Because he is playing with you op .it’s one of the most common and silly tricks there are and you have fallen for it hook line and sinker

tara66 · 13/04/2021 14:37

Do you think he is suddenly going through a later life crisis?

AliasGrape · 13/04/2021 14:43

He is calm and apparently she wasn’t at all

Ahh he has a ‘crazy ex’ too.

Another huge red flag.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 14:53

No he has never said that about her
I am
Starting to think after reading all this maybe he has just lied about everything and it’s all caught up with him and that’s why he wants out. Maybe he did think he was in love with me but as he was still married thought he could get away with with it and now finds himself in a bind so it’s easier end it this way. I just don’t know what to believe anymore.

OP posts:
Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 14:55

I’d love to think it was just a later life crisi of course

OP posts:
chemicalworld · 13/04/2021 14:55

If you need to go out of your way to prove yourself to someone, to get their approval, then it isn't healthy. That is it. His words of love have you on a bit of string. I agree with everyone else on this thread.

Ethelfromnumber73 · 13/04/2021 14:57

@Happinessevaded

No he has never said that about her I am Starting to think after reading all this maybe he has just lied about everything and it’s all caught up with him and that’s why he wants out. Maybe he did think he was in love with me but as he was still married thought he could get away with with it and now finds himself in a bind so it’s easier end it this way. I just don’t know what to believe anymore.
None of this matters anyway OP because if you managed to 'work it out' ultimately your life with a disapproving, controlling, distrustful misogynist would be hell. Cut your losses. And please think of your children too. Do you have a daughter? Because if so, he'll also have thoughts on her 'behaviour' one day.
Candyfloss99 · 13/04/2021 14:59

He is jealous of your past but he is still married to someone else even though they have been split up for years?? I'd hate to see what he'd think if it was you who was still married.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 13/04/2021 15:12

Right, so he's telling you that he doesn't want to be with you because you're a slapper. Except you're not a slapper. So he says you are a slapper but just don't remember being a slapper. And that you told him you were a slapper, except you didn't, so he says you don't remember telling him. And to prove that you aren't, you have to cut contact with a friend because you're a slapper who would sleep with him given the opportunity. Except you haven't. But he says you would. So you just have standard messages. Which makes you a slapper.

Ugh. He's foul. Bin the nasty old misogynistic abuser. Start up contact with your FRIENDS again. Start going out. Start having fun.

He'll still be happily undivorced (so won't lose any money through officially splitting with his wife, who just as likely has no idea all this is going on because he's fucked up her head so well that she accepts he's just working overseas and she's being ungrateful for not being chucked out of her home) ten years from now.

And he'll still be judging women by his own very low standards.

Happinessevaded · 13/04/2021 15:19

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Oh. That possibility sounds a little like you’ve maybe put things into some kind of context I can relate to...ouch double ouch that really hurts

OP posts:
Thebelleofstmarys · 13/04/2021 15:19

Please , OP , get this creature out of yours and your children's lives now ! He sounds truly awful and actually is endangering your mental health ,and through that , risking your children's well being . He is a liar , controlling , an adulterer , a head Fuck merchant . An abuser of the first order .
My STBXH showed signs of this constant dithering just after I moved country to live with him . 6 years on , I'm 8 weeks away from gaining my freedom and cannot wait . If only I'd had the strength to do that back then .
I can promise you this man will never be someone you can trust or rely on . He will only get worse . At the moment , it seems to me that he's testing you to see how much vile , untrustworthy behaviour you're prepared to put up with . Make no mistake - this is abuse .
Please block him , go no contact and get some help so you never put yourself in jepeordy again . Men like him and my ex are predators and can spot vulnerable women a mile off . If he doesn't know what he wants in his late 60's , he never will .

BlueDahlia69 · 13/04/2021 15:24

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Yes MoonCup has it spot on Flowers