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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

Was it all a lie? I’m completely broken…

185 replies

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 07:37

10 days ago my partner of 2 years decided it was over. Unfortunately for me, since then my entire world has been turned upside down and I’m really struggling.

For back story:
My ExPartner has some pretty horrific childhood trauma in his past, of which I’m well aware of and I know he’s been to therapy for, however something inside tells me that this is a contributing factor for what’s happened.

ExP has had previously issues with alcohol, drugs and MH struggles (suicide) - these were mainly before me and he kept them under control by using the gym as a coping mechanism.

I won’t say I’m entirely innocent here because I’m not, I have a fiery character and when I believe something is wrong I will bring it up. I never believed I could be gaslighted (this is relevant)

We were in a pub 2 weeks ago having food, he was asking what I’d like for Christmas etc, when I was answering he kept picking up his phone ( I believe it was his boss texting) and zoning out. I asked him to stop it because it was rude - and here the issue started. He lost it, shouting and screaming at me in the middle of the pub. I left immediately and told him to pay the bill.

Whilst driving home we were arguing in the car as I said his behaviour was completely unacceptable, he got so irate he pulled the steering wheel and forced me to pull over the car. He got out and walked off, still shouting and screaming. I drove alongside him and tried to reason with him to be met with “oh you’re crazy and you’re trying to run me over and kill me now” - I was doing about 5mph!

He proceeded to walk to the nearest pub, sat in there for 4 hours and drank 20 pints. When he came hone I’d fallen asleep on the sofa, I was awoken to him crashing around and then sitting staring at me and saying “I’m a psychopath you know, a psychopath and a sociopath. I have someone else who lives inside me and I call him Brian, he does bad things” - I know this sounds ridiculous but I swear it’s true. I was actually frightened by him. Eventually I got him up to bed.

The next day he refused to talk about it at all, completely shut down. This obviously caused a huge argument because I said I wouldn’t be brushing it under the carpet like some of his other outbursts. That night he went out again and didn’t come home, once again drunk.

The next morning he transferred £12,000 (exactly half) out of our savings account at 8am before I’d even spoken to him. He came home a little later and said it’s over, he doesn’t love me anymore and he’s unhappy. I’m ashamed to say I lost all dignity in this moment and most certainly begged and pleaded to attempt to reason with him. But it is over, and it’s stayed that way. From that moment he’s been a completely unrecognisable character. Callous and cruel.

If you’ve gotten this far - thank you, I didn’t intend for it to be this long!

For further info, “home” is a rented house we just signed on for 6 months and moved into the week before this happened! My property was in the final stages of completion and we were planning on moving to a forever house - the mortgage was in place and sols appointed etc so the rented house was a stop gap. I’m now back at my Mam’s with a suitcase.

He’s refused to pay anything for the house and is leaving this weekend, he has sorted another house to go to. It’s going to cost me £4k to get rid of this rental house.

He was literally the most perfect partner in the world, 95% of the time. He came along when I’d almost given up hope on finding someone compatible. He was genuine, kind, considerate, I can’t even tell you how happy I was.

My friends have since said they think I’ve been love bombed and then gaslighted.

I’ve since found out that when I met him he had only returned from London 3 weeks earlier and moved back North (where he is originally from but has been gone for 10 years); he split with another girl, packed up his whole life and moved here. Then met me - within 4 months, at his suggestion, he gave up his beautiful rented apartment and came to live with me in my house.

He’s had 14 addresses in 10 years, my Mam thinks he 100% has form for this behaviour.

He has told me since that he blames me for all of this happening, that I’m manipulative and controlling. I disagree with those things - the only thing I ever recall saying no to was him going to the gym every night if the week 530-830, I said there’s no point in having a relationship if you’re not present.

He also used to say to me that I need to go to therapy when we argued, I don’t know what for though and I never did.

In one of our final conversations he said to me “this happens all the time, in every one of my relationships, they want to stop me from doing exactly what I want to do when I want to do it”, I always said I wasn’t stopping him, but that’s a relationship. A bit of compromise on certain things.

I feel like my life has been a total lie, I have no idea what to believe was ever true. I’m completely broken down here, can’t sleep, can barely eat and I’m not coping. My whole life was there, planned, the fairytale!!! And now it’s gone. I’m 30 years old, no children, single and back at my parents house.

I have always been so independent, luckily I have good friends, an amazing family and a good job but I feel completely numb and empty inside. And the fear of him moving on immediately (which I just KNOW he will) is almost consuming me.

I feel like this is a story I would read in Chat magazine but it’s not fake, it’s actually my life and I’m so so devastated.

How do I ever get over this SadSadSadSad

OP posts:
AngelinaFibres · 30/11/2021 10:56

" I miss him so much it's awful"

You are missing the man you thought he was and the life you thought you were planning. He wasn't real. He was pretending so hard it has now imploded. You must go through the grief period but honestly you haven't lost anything you could really have had. It will hurt like hell for a while but you will come out the other side.

Honeyroar · 30/11/2021 10:59

You’ve definitely not spoiled your chances of a happy future with someone else. This incident has saved you from an unhappy future with Brian.. It will hurt, you loved him. It will take time, perhaps a lot of time, but you’ll get there. If you really think you’re struggling perhaps go to the dr and get signed off for a week? When I went through something like this I had three sessions of counselling, which helped me straighten out my worries and see it wasn’t my fault. You sound like you have a great team of friends and family on your side. You will be ok!

(Could you take him to the small claims for his half of the rent?)

Sugarntailsnluvlyspicysnails · 30/11/2021 11:01

I also agree with the needing to be able to walk away when I see red flags in future. I chose to ignore them this time because I was so unbelievably happy, and now look where that’s got me

It's so easily done though, it happens to so many people for that reason. Emotional attachment vs. reason. It's a difficult battle! Don't beat yourself up for it, just take it forward with you. It's a shitty lesson, sorry 😞

RobertSmithsLipstick · 30/11/2021 11:02

He probably has multiple issues, but thankfully now they're only his.
It's neither here nor there whether he drank so many pints or bought for others.

GoGoGretaDoll · 30/11/2021 11:05

I agree that you've been lovebombed and gaslit, and while posters are posting in support suggesting resources to look at, you don't need to take that all on board today. Perhaps there are things you can do to strengthen your boundaries, perhaps you met an abusive bastard - we can't really know that. Be careful that your willingness to change and learn from this experience doesn't turn into 'this is all my fault'. Because it's not.

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 11:15

Thanks for your comments of support. I really, really do appreciate them.

I’ve an appointment with Talking Changes on Friday so I’m hoping they offer some form of coping strategies/assistance/help.

I’ve never been in this situation before so I just don’t know, obviously I’ve had breakups but I’ve never ever felt this low or sad in my life.

OP posts:
pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 11:16

Thanks @GoGoGretaDoll I know I’m leaning heavily towards that side right now. I guess it’s easier to blame myself and say it’s me who needs to change than it is to accept that he wasn’t the person I thought he was or the person I fell in love with.

OP posts:
Staryflight445 · 30/11/2021 11:17

I think you’ve got to ask yourself why you’re pining over such a scumbag and blaming yourself.

You need to use this as a way of improving your self confidence and self worth. Not one to destroy yourself with.

Staryflight445 · 30/11/2021 11:18

Anyone who gets lumped with him is unlucky op. Don’t be jealous of him moving on, look at the real picture of who he is and be glad you’re not with him anymore.

mewkins · 30/11/2021 11:22

@pixietinkdust

Thanks for your comments of support. I really, really do appreciate them.

I’ve an appointment with Talking Changes on Friday so I’m hoping they offer some form of coping strategies/assistance/help.

I’ve never been in this situation before so I just don’t know, obviously I’ve had breakups but I’ve never ever felt this low or sad in my life.

You feel low because you are doubting your judgement right now.

This is because previously you have associated with kind, together, people with morals and similar values to you. It is so disconcerting to meet someone who doesn't. You would have overlooked the signs (the previous addiction problems etc) because you fundamentally believe that humans are good and that people deserve a chance.

I was in a similar position and it was so hard to accept that actually some people can't be saved or helped and they took advantage of your kindness.

This relationship WILL ultimately make you stronger, more independent and more able to value and assess other people. Good luck x

fuckoffImcounting · 30/11/2021 11:35

Oh lovely, this man is not fit for a relationship. You are young, strong and independent and you will stop hurting and move on. You can have a great life which would not have been possible with this nut job - imagine him as a dad - shudder to think.

todaysdilemma · 30/11/2021 11:52

@pixietinkdust

Thanks for your comments of support. I really, really do appreciate them.

I’ve an appointment with Talking Changes on Friday so I’m hoping they offer some form of coping strategies/assistance/help.

I’ve never been in this situation before so I just don’t know, obviously I’ve had breakups but I’ve never ever felt this low or sad in my life.

I think it's really good that you are going to be talking to someone about this. It will definitely help you re-frame the relationship in your own mind, deal with the grief and find healthy coping mechanisms to bounce back. Don't beat yourself up over it - he was obviously very convincing, and if as he says he is a psychopath, you were never going to be a match for him really.

Your comment that he can actually drink that much shows he's an alcoholic, former alcoholic or has very low impulse control. Dangerous if he has drunk like that with you previously when he has a history of MH issues and needs the gym to keep on track. I think that was a huge red flag you missed as well. Someone happy with life does not binge drink like that even semi regularly.

The therapy should help you unpick WHY you felt safe and happy with someone who has always shown signs of being skittish. The thing with the gym - if his natural instinct is to spend most of his free time in the gym rather than with you, did you not think he was maybe not as happy in your company as he should have been. People in love and happy in a relationship WANT to spend lots of free time together - it's not something you need to argue or negotiate about.

Rather than just mourn him, I would start introspecting on how and why you ignored all these red flags and were willing to tie your life and finances to someone who has always been an emotional mess. Was it that his outer trappings of success and charm were seen as signs of 'having his shit together', whilst ignoring the more subtle signs that he really didn't?

If you come out this with a more honed BS detector, these 2 years have not been wasted. And you'll find yourself having much healthier relationships.

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 12:13

@mewkins you’re totally right, I’m questioning everything right now.

@fuckoffImcounting @todaysdilemma - thank you too.

And I’m definitely not saying that I’m perfect and I bare no blame in this but I feel like I was trying to make it all better for us. We had had a patch of arguing in the summer, and tbh it was all about absolute crap. Nothing significant. But I genuinely felt like he was trying to tear me apart, when I look back now I recall saying to him “I can’t live like this, I’m really sad” and him saying it was my own fault - maybe it was. I don’t know anything anymore.

I was so committed to making it work, getting through the rough patch etc and I thought we were and we had. We had the chats about “it’s not you vs me, it’s you + me vs the problem” and everything was much, much better.

The stuff you’re saying about the outer trappings rings a bell, he’s got such a professional and stressful job. Honestly maybe it is just me and in the end we were absolutely not compatible.

I think I found myself in a position where he wanted me to apologise so often or he was picking on things so much than I’d end up saying “I’m sorry you feel that way” because I just didn’t know what I had to be sorry for; rather than being genuinely sorry, which is in my nature.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 30/11/2021 12:19

So he’s looking for a relationship that puts no demands whatsoever on him? 😂

Ok well best of luck to him. It sounds like he needs someone with really low self esteem who’ll be grateful for any crumbs he gives them.

dabbydeedoo · 30/11/2021 12:23

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todaysdilemma · 30/11/2021 12:29

It is definitely not you! And not your fault. He isn't going to be compatible with anyone because he is a dumpster fire of a man. He has shown zero empathy for your needs/the situation/relationship. Proof I guess that he really may have been a psychopath (don't think that came from nowhere).

Any relationship where you get so worn down and shot down everytime you try and stand up for yourself is toxic. He is toxic. Do not blame yourself for the collapse of the relationship - but instead see it as an opportunity to think of all the little signs that should have had you running away The professional and stressful job is what lured you in btw and got you to ignore all his other dodgy behaviour. If he hadn't been successful, say he was unemployed or not well off, I doubt you'd have been so quick to get involved with him or fight for him.

If you had been more of a pushover, he probably would have stuck around a little bit longer. Realising that you weren't just giving in on everything, couldn't be intimidated, and would soon realise he was messing you around, made him run.

dabbydeedoo · 30/11/2021 12:29

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todaysdilemma · 30/11/2021 12:37

[quote dabbydeedoo]@todaysdilemma the guy has mental health and addiction issues! The gym was a healthy way for him to cope with those. Insinuating that he didn't want to spend time with OP because he needed to do something that was crucial for his mental health is pretty shitty. Not everyone needs to be joined at the hip and spending 24/7 together. I actually think that's stifling.[/quote]
Spending 3 hours a day in the gym every single evening including weekends, to the point the OP has to delay having her dinner every day is deeply inconsiderate. Especially given they both had stressful jobs as she's said. If he (or anyone) needs this level of alone time (every day level of alone time), and cannot find a compromise with their partner, they shouldn't be in a relationship. OR find someone who is ok with never spending quality time together EVERY day. Relationships require give and take and if someone needs to be away from the relationship so consistently for their mental health - why even be in one? Why move in together? Why was he so keen to move in with her if he didn't have any time to spend with her?

They spend the entire work day apart. That's 8-10 hours. They then spend 3 hours apart while he's in the gym. Then sleeping for 8 hours. So they get what, maybe 2 hours together every night of a week - which would include eating dinner. So maybe 1 hour to just relax together. And then if he's also in the gym every weekend evening like she says - what plans can you make when 3 hours needs to be blocked out.

What happens if they had kids - he leaves her to do all the childcare each night because he needs to be in the gym every evening?

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 12:37

@dabbydeedoo I find your tone quite off-putting tbh. I have plenty of my own stuff going on, plenty of my own friends and a great family. I do a lot of things for myself and I always have. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see you partner on weekdays; asking for one mid-week date night or even just time to sit and watch the tv or cook together isn’t out of the ordinary surely.

You seem fixated on the fact that I’m this little pushover who just morphed into her partner, had no other outer life and forgot everything else around me - that is absolutely not what has happened here.

Nor did I ever stop him going to the gym, I knew it’s importance and encouraged it - just not every single day.

OP posts:
pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 12:44

Thank you @todaysdilemma, you seem to have totally understood my point of view.

That wasn’t even the biggest issue, he still went to the gym and closer to the end he went 4 nights a week. I sort of got used to it. I built my life around it, I went out and did stuff while I knew he’d be out. That was actually ok with me.

It’s the completely shut off and void of any emotion that I think has hurt me the most - he’s basically pretending that I never existed. You don’t just stop loving somebody instantly, surely. Again maybe that’s a woman thing though, men are different.

I’m just hurt and I’m struggling.

OP posts:
SunflowerTed · 30/11/2021 12:46

You sound very rational and balanced but have fallen victim to a sociopath. He seems very plausible and seems very practiced on this kind of behaviour. You have had a very lucky escape as he is basically a con man who can turn his feelings on and off. Who rents a house with a partner and leaves a week after unless they are very cold and very calculating?Try and see this as an opportunity and also a lucky escape. He was totally gaslighting and he has done you a huge favour. He has a very shady past and luckily you didn’t get in any deeper. He is dangerous !

todaysdilemma · 30/11/2021 12:47

@dabbydeedoo Also, your partner works in another city most of the week. You can't change that, so of course you've had to make your peace with it. The OP's ex did not work away. If there are female CEOs who block out diary time so they can get home early to spend quality time with their spouse/family - I think most people can juggle a relationship and quality time with their partners, without losing 'independence'. Because lots of people do have partners they actually like and want to spend time with. And shock horror actually do hobbies with. Yes, some couples actually manage to share interests/hobbies. And weirdly, still maintain their own identities - like that's hard in 2021.

dabbydeedoo · 30/11/2021 12:49

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pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 12:49

@SunflowerTed thank you. I do like to think of myself as rational and balanced under normal circumstances yes.

I’ll never understand why he let me sell my home!! Moved us into this rented house, which was only ever meant to be the means to an end and then BANG. I’ve lived in 3 houses this month.

OP posts:
GoGoGretaDoll · 30/11/2021 12:50

Mate, every time you post he sounds worse and you sound like you are taking on more of his shit!

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