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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

Feeling sad he didn't choose me

110 replies

sadiesad · 30/11/2021 23:08

I'm a regular but NC, though I posted about this relationship a short while back under another NC.

My bf of 2 years has had a female best friend for a decade who has always been very hostile towards me. It didn't matter how much effort I put into being friendly, she would snub me to my face in front of my bf. Examples are turning on her heel and walking away when we bumped into her, ignoring me completely when we'd meet up with her and her husband (while getting touchy feely with my bf), and never replying to my greetings - not even making eye contact. When I interrogated my bf further it transpired that she was against him dating (before she even knew about me) and has always been a bit 'possessive' and demanding of his time. She wanted to see him multiple times a week, they used to message multiple times a day and when he started seeing me and didn't have that kind of availability she would get passive aggressive and take it out on me, when we saw her. He showed me the messages when I asked to see what he meant. For most of our relationship she would meet up just with him, but if he ever suggested I come along, she'd get pissy with him. And soon I stopped wanting to go even when others were present, as she was so rude to me, it was upsetting. So I felt completely excluded from his social life. She'd also try to sabotage by leaving him off social group invites if we went on holiday together or did anything that seemed like he was building a life with me - so he started feeling ostracised from his friends as well. None of them had any issue with me, her own husband liked me. Both he and her husband tried to talk to her, and she'd just blame it on me saying I was the one with a problem.

It caused a lot of problems and arguments as he never seemed to stand up for me with her. After she'd be hostile, they wouldn't talk for some weeks but then pick up where they left off - nothing ever discussed or resolved. My bf hates confrontation but kept promising he'd talk to her and get to the bottom of it - 2 years, he never did. Always excuses about how he couldn't find the right time, the right moment blah blah.

Anyway, today I finally had enough and asked him if he was ever going to resolve this. And he said he didn't think there could be a resolution. He didn't think the friendship and relationship should be mutually exclusive even though he accepts she is the one causing all the problems. I have never ever made him choose between us but this time I asked him point blank - if he still intended on maintaining a friendship with her, even though he now accepts she has tried to sabotage us, is horrid to me, and it's not purely platonic on her end (also her husband was his friend first, and they are still very close).

He told me that while he accepted the friendship couldn't be as 'intense' as it once was, he always wanted to have her in his life as some sort of friend as he valued their history.

When I told him he couldn't possibly expect me to stay with him if he wanted to stay friends with someone who is rude to me/hurts me/and possibly has feelings for him. He said he understood that and understood that it was too much to ask of me, and while he was sorry for all the hurt it has caused, they had too much history for him to give up on the friendship. So I decided to hang on to my pride and end things, because after 2 years he hasn't done anything to call her out on her BS. He never was, was he?

But I feel devastated. I can't understand why he would choose to maintain a friendship with someone who clearly just wants him to be single, over a relationship he actually enjoyed. He loved me, was happy with me, always said he felt lucky to have met me - other than her, we never argued over anything. She is married to his friend and I really don't believe he fancied her/wanted to be with her - so why was he so reluctant to challenge her or even walk away from her.

I really loved him, so keep waivering on my decision. Please MN, help me make sense of this and tell me if I did the right thing or not? I feel really sad and lost atm.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 30/11/2021 23:12

You did the right thing. He enjoyed having women fight over him

Longdistance · 30/11/2021 23:15

You did the right thing. At least you know how weak and gutless he is. Sorry you were treated so badly. It speaks volumes about him.

GreenClock · 30/11/2021 23:16

This is a strange setup and you’re better off out of it. I can’t help feeling that you were dragged into a weird game.

SummerWhisper · 30/11/2021 23:17

That's so awful for you and I'm really sorry he has done this to you. He is enabling her vindictiveness towards you. He might just be weak, which is wholly unappealing, or he might just need her in his life more than he needs you.

Never forget: he chose her. It's heartbreaking but I think your ultimatum had to happen. But how will it play out if you get back together? I think it will be behind your back and she will carry that trump card with glee. She is a toxic bitch. He is a pathetic puppy, trailing round after her. Keep your pride.

Goawayangryman · 30/11/2021 23:18

You absolutely did the right thing. This type of bloke loves attention and being needed more than they ever want a grown-up relationship. Big well done to you for telling him to sling his hook. You don't need to fight for anyone. They should be fighting for you!

SummerWhisper · 30/11/2021 23:19

PS there is no way back from this. If you accept that, then you will be OK. Look after yourself and hang out with people who love you 💐

Oneliner · 30/11/2021 23:20

Hmm, seen this before. Maybe she knows something you don't, why you're not suited for each other..?

Enough4me · 30/11/2021 23:20

He sounds pathetic if he does not stand up to a friend being downright rude to his partner. He should have your back and show respect for you.

You would be better alone or finding someone better.

Goawayangryman · 30/11/2021 23:21

And if you get back together you are telling him,'don't mind me and my boundaries and feelings, I'll put up with maltreatment if it means I get speshul you. Which is not a sound basis for a relationship at all.

Unreasonabubble · 30/11/2021 23:21

He has bonked her somewhere in the past. She is married but still lusts after him and believes that he ought to worship her no matter what. And considering he was friends with the husband first, I have no doubt he does not want the husband to find out their intimate relationship and she is holding that against him.

You were on a hiding to nothing. I am so sorry.

Loudestcat14 · 30/11/2021 23:23

I'm not surprise you feel devastated, but you should feel angry too. She's a bitch who's purposely driven a wedge between you and he's a sap who is clearly enthralled by/in love with her. He was always going to choose her over you. Thank god you never got married and had children, you've had a lucky escape.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 30/11/2021 23:26

I'd be explaining the reason for your split to her husband. She sounds unhinged actually

VioletRose91 · 30/11/2021 23:26

Sod that you deserve much better than that weakling, he’s either inlove with her or inlove with having two women fight over him - neither scenario is beneficial for you.

Onwards and upwards OP you will find someone who puts YOU first.

millymolls · 30/11/2021 23:26

You have definitely done the right thing! Hold your head high, grieve a while then go embrace life and find someone who deserves you !

VioletRose91 · 30/11/2021 23:27

Also you will never have to see her again so that must be a plus!

sadiesad · 30/11/2021 23:29

@GreenClock That's what my friend said, that I seem to have just stumbled upon some very weird game between all of them. Except I had no idea what it was.

@SummerWhisper I think you're completely right that if we ever got back, he'd just see her in secret. I was already doubting how honest he was being about their level of contact.

@Oneliner I have met his family, friends, colleagues so definitely nothing secret in his past. Her own husband has always been very friendly with me. Apparently she was even like this with another friend he was getting very close to - where she'd get pissed off if he saw that friend over her.

OP posts:
AliceMck · 01/12/2021 00:21

I remember your last post. You have definitely done the right thing. You don’t want to be 2nd to anyone especially another woman. Their set up is very strange. If no one has ever called her out before they aren’t going to do it now.

I remember your post reminding me of my ExHs bf & partner, she would just ignore me, didn’t even come to our wedding even though her DP was best man. My ex confessed after a few drinks that she once gave him a bj when he’d past out on a couch after a party. Another time my ex was invited into their bed to keep “warm” after another party, that was the first of a long line of threesomes they had. No one knew except the 3 of them, then me. After I found out it explained a lot and I put my foot down and about him seeing them, until then I’d just let him hang out without me as I wasn’t fussed about hanging with them, he’d see his friends & I’d see mine. I’m not saying that’s what’s happened here, but there definitely could be something you don’t know about.

Stay strong, you need someone who puts you first.

Thrivingnotsurviving · 01/12/2021 00:53

My ex had a “best friend” like this. He was sleeping with her. He brought her into our house to meet our 2 week old baby. The thought of it makes me feel sick. You may have had a lucky escape!

SpindlesWinterWhorl · 01/12/2021 01:06

They all sounds crackers, and yes other posters' stories about secrets and lies are probably not that far wide of the mark. I've met some weird couples and friend groups in my many decades.

MsDogLady · 01/12/2021 01:07

He kept promising he’d talk to her and get to the bottom of it - 2 years, he never did…he hasn’t done anything to call her out on her BS.

And he was never going to, because he gets off on the friction. Please don’t waiver, Sadie. Be thankful that you took action to remove yourself from this toxic triangle.

These two are clearly enmeshed and codependent. This is their twisted version of an Emotional Affair. They are both receiving gratification from her domination and territoriality over him. I am sorry that you got caught up as a pawn in their game.

Sadie, he was never going to be emotionally available. He was never going to stand up and shut down her abuse of you, because he was actually validated by it. He has a deep, unhealthy need to please her, and will always put her first. Flowers

Aquamarine1029 · 01/12/2021 01:10

This relationship has been doomed from the beginning, and I'm so glad you've ended it. The two of you would never have gone the distance, his loyalty lies with her.

GertietheGherkin · 01/12/2021 01:27

He said he accepted with you being in his life meant that things couldn't be as intense with her as they had been?

Good grief! How intense was it before?

I think theirs more to this 'friendship' with him, and the pair of them.

It's hard, but you've definitely done the right thing. Leave them to their bizarre behaviour. Your worth so much more than being treated so shoddily.

Chin up, onwards and upwards.

GertietheGherkin · 01/12/2021 01:28

There's

GertietheGherkin · 01/12/2021 01:28

You're ( bloody auto corrects 😩)

Pascal80 · 01/12/2021 03:17

Either:

  1. he loves her more than he loves you
  2. He is too weak and indecisive to face the decision to be made here - that was to stop seeing this ''friend''.
  • Or both.

Either way, you win, you made the right decision. Honestly, I really admire how you handled it. Onwards!