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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:
LondonWolf · 30/11/2021 14:30

My ex could easily drink 20 pints in four hours, often with Jack Daniels shots too.

He was a psycho too. Not a high earner or able to hold down a decent job though or i would have thought this was the same bloke.

todaysdilemma · 30/11/2021 14:32

@dabbydeedoo Also, he's the one wanted OP to keep the baby....

How do you think he was going to adjust to childcare every evening with the 3 hours at the gym?

Philly1234 · 30/11/2021 14:44

It seems to me that he’s got some pretty entrenched and unresolved mental health issues. Alcohol problems; impulsive behaviour, commitment issues. Interesting you’ve just signed a tenancy and weeks later he’s up and off.

I think you need to decide what you want OP. You’re probably in shock because of the sudden change. It’s going to be really difficult emotionally but I would advise you distance yourself from this guy and give yourself time to process what’s happened and the new information that’s come to light. I wonder if you could contact the previous partner to get an insight into her experience with him. I’m pretty sure you’ll see patterns. That’ll help inform your next move.

Personally I think you’ve dodged a bullet.

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 15:01

Oh @Philly1234 there is absolutely no going back, he made that very clear to me the day he ended it. I begged and pleaded and forgoed all dignity in that respect.

There is too much that’s come to light now between me, my family and friends that I know we could never get back together. That however doesn’t stop any of the pain in the slightest… :-(

OP posts:
pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 15:03

Thanks @todaysdilemma for fighting my corner a little, I obviously don’t know you but you seem like a good person.

@dabbydeedoo think what you want. I did so much to help this guy and he’s absolutely shit all over me and broken my heart. There is absolutely no denying that.

OP posts:
Philly1234 · 30/11/2021 15:03

Just rereading some of your posts op. I think you’re in shock snd that’s what you’re having difficulty with - reconciling the lovely guy knew who loved you with this new, unfamiliar and, quite frankly, emotionally abusive individual.

More info will come to light I think that gives you more of an insight into his character. Enough red flags are there for you to realise that he’s got form. These things in isolation are not an issue, but when considered as a bigger picture and in conjunction with his recent behaviour, I’m telling you, he’s big trouble. Snd that’s not to say that deep down he’s a horrible and malicious individual but I think he has some serious unresolved trauma and he’s no where near being ready to take any responsibility so he ups and runs. Look up ‘dismissive avoidant attachment’. I honestly foresee a life of misery for you if you were to stick by this guy. Part of you will want to get back what you had with him. But he’s shown you this other side now.

How to get through this - there’s no short cut when you’re dealing with heartbreak. You have to just face it head on and feel the feelings. It won’t be easy. Self care - sleep well, eat well, exercise, try to avoid booze, be around people who love you and know you. Time is your friend OP xx

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 15:08

@Philly1234 you’re very right, all of the stuff that’s unearthed itself you wouldn’t bat an eyelid to it individually; but all together makes for a shocking character profile. One completely unrecognisable from the selfless, loving and secure guy I fell in deep love with almost instantly. It’s horrific.

Thanks for your words, I appreciate them xxx

OP posts:
KnobJockey · 30/11/2021 15:16

Just as a note on the rental thing. Yes you are legally tied for 6 months, but if you leave they have to try and re let it and release you from their contract- they aren't allowed to just sit on it for the rest of the term. If noone takes it, that and council tax are still your responsibility. But try advertising it yourself too.

KnobJockey · 30/11/2021 15:18

Sorry, I should have put SHOULD try to release you early. Obviously there are some nobber landlords. But they can't charge the same rent twice, so don't just pay £4k now and hand back the keys.

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 15:42

Thanks @KnobJockey I’m in talks with the landlords now to see if there is anything that can be done

OP posts:
dramalessllama · 30/11/2021 16:20

Oh Pixie, I am so very sorry you're hurting so much. It's a kind of pain that permeates EVERYTHING where you can barely function in day to day life without feeling its heaviness. Please be kind to yourself - take that 6 hour nap in the middle of the day (if you can) and remind yourself that you are a good person and deserve better than this.

What you have described sounds eerily familiar to what I went through with my now exH. The first year of dating was "perfect" and I had never felt so loved. He, too, had severe anxiety that was mitigated with extreme exercise, in his case, leaving the bed at 2 am to go mountain biking. Every night. We didn't live with each other prior to marriage (HUGE mistake) so his nocturnal habits were never an issue.

Literally, the day after we married, I saw his anger for the first time. But it wasn't just anger...it was truly an overreaction to small things that he completely blew out of proportion, where he accused me of trying to kill him. I can't even remember what the original issue was because it made me crazy trying to figure out wtf happened?

Like your ex, mine was hugely successful in his job and had HUNDREDS of "friends." However, looking back, he didn't have any close friends because he had to keep up his image all the time and could never just be himself. My therapist said he showed definite narcissistic personality disorder traits (she had met once with him solo and twice in a group therapy session with me).

I am like you - I confront things head on and like to deal with it right away. But he couldn't handle me confronting him with even the smallest of issues (like him being distracted on his phone when I was talking to him) because he'd twist it around into me being critical of who he was as a person. His reactions were so disproportionate to the actual issue that I was questioning my sanity at every turn.

What I can promise is that it does get better. However, the only way out is through. Feel your pain and let it turn into anger. Let that anger fuel your desire to stand up for yourself, seek legal help if you can, and fight for what is rightly yours. Financial abuse is the most insidious form of emotional abuse and it's easy for women (in general) to receive MUCH less than what we deserve because we typically just want to end the drama. I encourage you to fight for what is rightfully yours. Who cares what he's said he will and will not do...he's not in charge anymore.

This was ridiculously long, but I hope there is something of value in my wordiness.

Sending you virtual hugs!!!

pixietinkdust · 30/11/2021 17:11

Thank you @dramalessllama you’re very right about the ever consuming pain. I’ve gone back to work just as a distraction, thank goodness my boss is absolutely amazing and so understanding.

I absolutely resonate with the perfect year, that’s exactly what we had. It couldn’t have been anymore perfect tbh, I didn’t think I could actually be that happy - ever. And I compare that to now and this is why my world feels like it’s currently ended.

Hopefully time will help, day by day x

OP posts:
Malibuismysecrethome · 30/11/2021 18:32

There may also be a break clause of one months notice by either tenant or landlord after 6 months, it would be worth checking your AST.

Lili132 · 30/11/2021 21:48

[quote dabbydeedoo]@pixietinkdust but it wasn't just a hobby for him, it was literally the way he managed his mental health. I have friends who exercise a lot to manage depression and yes, they really do need to do it every day, and their partners fully support them. Of course it's controlling to take away someone's coping mechanism! The answer was to leave him and realise you weren't compatible because you needed more time than he had available to you, not to ask him to stop going and then act like the victim when his mental health crumbled.

The codependency is about the desperation for a partner which seems to influence everything you do, the inability to entertain yourself while he's busy with the gym, you seem to need someone around all the time. You're acting like it's the end of the world to be 30 and single when 30 is absolutely no age. You could have two more failed relationships and still meet someone in time to have a family but you're already looking at it like you're old and running out of time, which is going to lead to more bad decisions and disaster.[/quote]
Asking someone to compromise and cut down on their gym to spend more quality time as a couple is NOT controlling. It can be controlling if a person uses manipulation, coercion or aggression to persuade someone, there is no indication that was the case tho. Regardless of whether asking him was a good idea or not, implying that OP was controlling is an exaggeration unless you know additional facts.
Co - dependency is again - a big word, and you don't know enough to diagnose OP with this condition.

Implying that OP "acts like a victim" and it's her fault that his mental health crumbled is just awful.

I wish people like you thought twice before posting. You can really push someone already vulnerable over the edge.

irene9 · 30/11/2021 22:24

"I’ll never understand why he let me sell my home!! Moved us into this rented house,"
He 'let' you sell your house.
Then he 'moved us' .
He had a lot of power over you.
He wanted your house gone so he'd have more control. Your welfare is not his agenda, controlling things his way is his agenda.

GertietheGherkin · 30/11/2021 22:28

[quote dabbydeedoo]@pixietinkdust but it wasn't just a hobby for him, it was literally the way he managed his mental health. I have friends who exercise a lot to manage depression and yes, they really do need to do it every day, and their partners fully support them. Of course it's controlling to take away someone's coping mechanism! The answer was to leave him and realise you weren't compatible because you needed more time than he had available to you, not to ask him to stop going and then act like the victim when his mental health crumbled.

The codependency is about the desperation for a partner which seems to influence everything you do, the inability to entertain yourself while he's busy with the gym, you seem to need someone around all the time. You're acting like it's the end of the world to be 30 and single when 30 is absolutely no age. You could have two more failed relationships and still meet someone in time to have a family but you're already looking at it like you're old and running out of time, which is going to lead to more bad decisions and disaster.[/quote]
Excellent post! 👍

GertietheGherkin · 30/11/2021 22:40

@Bluntness100

There is something very calculating about this, so he very very quickly, as in within four months, gave up his rental and happily moved into your home but as soon as it came to a commitment, rental and buying a house together he blew it up, and took his money fast, sorted somewhere to live, very quickly, which indicates he’s had this planned for awhile, and then ran as quickly as he could.

He was leading you on op, when it came to making a proper commitment and not just living in your house, this was always going to happen. I’m sorry.

I like you found the speed of things very strange. This guy seems to have the knack of lulling his conquests into a false sense of security very quickly and skillfully. He's only prepared to give so much of himself though. When it gets to the stage he's got to invest real time and money into a commitment, he almost seems to lose interest and shuts it all down very quickly too. It is like some warped game he plays.
RobertSmithsLipstick · 30/11/2021 22:45

My ex told me that there is nothing too low that a person can do, if they've a mind to.
This was just in the course of conversation; not a threat.
Just do it, walk away, don't look back.
Don't respond, don't react, just freeze it out of your mind and eventually things will die down and everyone will move on.

As it turned out, that is exactly what happened when he left me. Just silence.

BringOnTheOtherWorlders · 30/11/2021 22:52

Yikes! You will look back at this as two of the weirdest most bizarre years of your life. You are just too close to it right now.

tomorrowalready · 01/12/2021 02:52

This may sound melodramatic but you seem like a very nice person nearly caught by a hungry shark, like GertieTheGherkin says some warped game going on or a long history of deceit and maybe crime.

You know that thing everyone says about when someone tells you who they are, believe them? He told you he is a psychopath, sociopath and Brian has done bad things, he has done you a massive favour leaving you alone. Reading this I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't stolen an identity and the 'mum' and 'old friend' are bit players in some scam he is playing out. What Americans call a grifter.

Apart from him somehow having a good job and charming you , his behaviour reminds me of a sinister neighbour I once had. Started out by telling me he'd moved 6 times in 4 years in HA properties in his 40s, wanted me to talk on the phone to the disabled woman he 'cared for', went out every night after 12 pm leaving shared garden gate propped open, had a young pregnant woman staying and wouldn't let her go back to her boyfriend, immediately had people round to arrange an exchange but wanted me to lie about how many other flats in the property. Some people were charmed by him, I actually found him the most sinister person and am glad I never really found out the details of his life. Suffice it to say when things had got to him harrassing me on a daily bais and I complained to our landlords he totally refused to discuss with a female Housing Officer. The male manager put him in his place and he was out of his flat. He left behind a ton of stuff including a coffin in the living room. So like I say lucky escape for you but maybe more to the story.

NynaeveSedai · 01/12/2021 06:53

[quote dabbydeedoo]@todaysdilemma why does she have to delay dinner? Is she not capable of eating dinner on her own? An hour a day, every single day, and then most of the weekend sounds perfectly acceptable to me. But then I'm not codependent.[/quote]
You sound pretty avoidant to me. Your perspective on relationship behaviour is skewed by your own avoidant patterns and you're playing out some stuff on this thread that isn't really benefitting the OP.

NynaeveSedai · 01/12/2021 06:58

@KnobJockey

Just as a note on the rental thing. Yes you are legally tied for 6 months, but if you leave they have to try and re let it and release you from their contract- they aren't allowed to just sit on it for the rest of the term. If noone takes it, that and council tax are still your responsibility. But try advertising it yourself too.
They don't have to try to relet it at all. They can leave it empty if they choose. However they might agree to relet it and if they succeed they can't charge OP rent and the new tenants at the same time.
pixietinkdust · 01/12/2021 07:13

I wish people like you thought twice before posting. You can really push someone already vulnerable over the edge.

This bit’s about right, I did spend most of my night questioning whether it was actually me, whether I truly was to blame and wondering what else I could have done differently. But ultimately I know, I tried so hard with him, he had space, he could do almost whatever he wanted and I just went along with it, the only time my emotions turned to sadness was when he would be angry/nasty - and that was becoming more frequent.

I know that I am vulnerable right now, particularly to intrusive thoughts.

We obviously weren’t compatible, no matter how perfect the former was. And for now that just needs to be my hard pill to swallow.

OP posts:
friskybivalves · 01/12/2021 08:11

[quote dabbydeedoo]@todaysdilemma why does she have to delay dinner? Is she not capable of eating dinner on her own? An hour a day, every single day, and then most of the weekend sounds perfectly acceptable to me. But then I'm not codependent.[/quote]
No. You're a patronising piling-on cod psychotherapist. But you know, whatever floats your boat

friskybivalves · 01/12/2021 08:15

I think Nynaeve and I both caught up to the same bit of the thread at exactly the same time this morning and slightly lost it on behalf of the OP...