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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

He's 'changed'....I was doing so well!

131 replies

beesfeet · 23/01/2022 20:44

I won't go into the reasons why my marriage broke down but through therapy I can see it was emotionally abuse and coercive control. Well at least I think I can see it. My therapist also says he sounds like a narcissist which I am not 100% on. I do still have some sort of attachment/love towards my husband unfortunately but I have been working towards my own needs and starting to think of my own boundaries.

And then he comes and ruins it. But I don't know if he means it.

So H has apologised for his behaviour towards me. He realises it was unacceptable. He blames work for the reason he made me feel unloved. He says he will not let that happen again and while I've been gone, he has realised how to leave work at work.

I have told him exactly how he made me feel, how I felt I had to tip toe around him and that he was emotionally abusive. He will not agree he was emotionally abusive but says he can see why he came across as controlling. He will continue to work on this in therapy. He's has approx 5 sessions so far.

He is 100% sure he can change, he will never let us get back to the place we were at again. He will help with the dcs, he will help with the house work. He will be the husband I need and the father the dcs need.

He has let me shout and scream at him while telling him everything he's done and hasn't got angry. He says he deserves it all.

I have said he hasn't been in therapy long enough yet and he needs to stick it out to see a change. He isn't asking me to come home, he said he would like some sort if inclination that we can try when the time is right.

What he hasn't done is sorted the bills as I removed my name off them and he has a pile of letters and things he needs to pay - he is clueless but if he sorted them himself it would show he is capable of doing things without me.

He also hasn't really asked how the dcs are coping. It's mainly how he is doing and how he feels. He does talk about himself a lot.

He also blames work for a lot of it like I said. It's not directly him. His behaviour after I left was terrible but that was blamed on a mental breakdown he has because I left. Again the blame wasn't on him - it was a breakdown.

Another reason he says is the reason for him treating me how he did is to do with a suicide in his family from 13 years ago. He didn't grieve for that and continued his life normal and never took time to deal with it. This is what his therapist says is a reason for his behaviour.

He has mentioned him meeting someone else - as a way to get over our marriage and that he feels if I don't give him an inclination that we can try resolve things then he will have to try meet other people as a way to get over me. Is this manipulation?

He has a habit of taking about things in front of the dcs. I am very conscious that they don't hear anything but he doesn't seem to have learnt and continues to try being up the subject in front of them.

He isn't going to change is he? It's just the fact I have been trying to get him in therapy for years and now I've left, he finally has.

I also wondered if I could contact his therapist. I know he won't be able to tell me anything as it's all confidential which I completely get but maybe I could get some idea of what to do.

I think what I'm worried about is he will change for another woman and I'll be feeling like I'm the one that's made a mistake

OP posts:
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 10:59

Are you ok OP?
You're feeling unsafe. Totally unacceptable. Please let us know that you're ok x

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 12:51

I'm ok, I called the police. I spoke to my therapist and she advised me to do so. I'm just waiting for them. I'm terrified x

OP posts:
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 13:13

@beesfeet

I'm ok, I called the police. I spoke to my therapist and she advised me to do so. I'm just waiting for them. I'm terrified x
Oh I'm relieved to see your update. Do you have anyone who can come round and be with you?. Xx
beesfeet · 25/01/2022 13:22

@totallyoutnumbered yes I'm staying at my mums. She's feeling on edge too but she's with me. Her partner is coming to stay tonight. The police sounded supportive on the phone, I've screenshotted all my evidence if the worst messages

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 25/01/2022 13:33

Stay strong.

You've proved to yourself you're stronger than you thought you were and could be.

His issue is you've shown it to him too. And he doesn't like it.

I won't go into long history but I get the trauma bond. When my XP got with someone else he denied the relationship. I said I couldn't care less about that. They got married. A few times I wondered if he'd changed and if my life could have been different if I stayed. She was wonderful. Facilitated and made sure ds had some kind of contact with his dad and birthday/ xmas gifts etc.

Had a message a few years ago saying they were disorient snd she's sure she doesn't need to explain to me why!

I've not heard from her or his father since. I often wonder if she's having a happy life. Him? I've evolved to no longer caring.

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 14:39

I don't think the police are coming until later now. I haven't eaten and I feel sick. I'm worried they will find me in the wrong somehow. The fact that it looks like I persuaded him to end this friendship yesterday and then he got angry so I had to block him. The fact that I always replied to his messages. It looks like a 2 way thing! But I only replied because I am scared of him. I felt if I didn't reply he would get angry!

OP posts:
Closetbeanmuncher · 25/01/2022 14:41

Why are you scared of him OP, what's the history?

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 14:47

@Closetbeanmuncher

Why are you scared of him OP, what's the history?
None violent with me. I think he was with his ex's which he always denied but they say different.

Through therapy, I am realising that my self esteem and self worth is gone. I've spent years tip toeing around him to keep him happy. He has shouted at me at my most vulnerable times (pregnancy and child birth, when my mental health was low)

I feel he is a dangerous man, i just did my best to keep him happy so I never saw the violence

OP posts:
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 15:29

@beesfeet

I don't think the police are coming until later now. I haven't eaten and I feel sick. I'm worried they will find me in the wrong somehow. The fact that it looks like I persuaded him to end this friendship yesterday and then he got angry so I had to block him. The fact that I always replied to his messages. It looks like a 2 way thing! But I only replied because I am scared of him. I felt if I didn't reply he would get angry!
Oh OP. You're not in the wrong here. Replying to keep him calm is totally understandable and a very natural reaction. I'm glad you've got your Mum and her partner around. I hope the Police are helpful today. Did you speak to Women's Aid yet?. Sure you feel totally overwhelmed right now but remember none of this is your fault. I know what it's like to tread on eggshells out of fear. I was "only" hit once but I never dared raise my voice again. It's no way to live. You've come so far. Keep on visualising that carefree future as I'm sure right now it feels a million miles away but it's there. Keep us posted and please try to eat something, even if only a tin of soup and bread. You'll be exhausted I know. Sending another squeeze xx
Closetbeanmuncher · 25/01/2022 15:42

The truth is with those sot of men nothing you do you will ever be right or enough. They take and take until you are ground to dust.

Take it from someone who's been there, they don't change for anyone. My dcs father is still the same after 10 years of being apart.

Its likely the police are aware of him already, and I think you've done the right thing for your safety. He sounds mentally unstable and extremely manipulative.

You really must stop engaging alltogether if you're ever going to have a shot at healing and reclaiming your life. You will be stuck in limbo for years unless you put a stop to this now.

He's shown you who he is time and again, don't be tricked into going back with him out of jealousy.

Know your worth and choose YOU 💐

totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 15:47

@Closetbeanmuncher

The truth is with those sot of men nothing you do you will ever be right or enough. They take and take until you are ground to dust.

Take it from someone who's been there, they don't change for anyone. My dcs father is still the same after 10 years of being apart.

Its likely the police are aware of him already, and I think you've done the right thing for your safety. He sounds mentally unstable and extremely manipulative.

You really must stop engaging alltogether if you're ever going to have a shot at healing and reclaiming your life. You will be stuck in limbo for years unless you put a stop to this now.

He's shown you who he is time and again, don't be tricked into going back with him out of jealousy.

Know your worth and choose YOU 💐

Couldn't agree more with this
SocialConnection · 25/01/2022 15:48

Well done, OP!!

You have friends - your mum, your stepdaughter, her mum, who all know the truth.

You have evidence - screenshots, texts etc.

You have involved the professionals now, and you're not alone.

Block block block. Do not engage. Do not answer. Do not meet. Take a friend if you go to collect children so you're supported. Personally I'd have my phone on record for any unavoidable face to face meeting like that.

All the best.

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 16:02

He's text my mum saying he hopes I am ok and he does care about me asking for a FaceTime with DS.

Less than 24 hours ago I was a nasty piece of work and he was going to 'get me back'

My mum has not replied. Not sure what to do regarding communication with DS? He's only 3 so obvs cannot really communicate himself

OP posts:
Closetbeanmuncher · 25/01/2022 16:10

Can he go through your mum temporarily so you don't have to deal with him, or is she about ready to pan his head in?

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 16:22

@Closetbeanmuncher

Can he go through your mum temporarily so you don't have to deal with him, or is she about ready to pan his head in?
My mums on edge like I am but she's happy to do the FaceTimes so I don't have too. She's been great, I would be lost without her. It's just so awful how he can text my mum today saying he cares about me while yesterday she held me while I cried when he was threatening me.

I now feel he is a true narcissist who just cannot see any remorse in himself what so ever

OP posts:
beesfeet · 25/01/2022 16:44

Had the FaceTime, I went out for a walk. My mum said he was in tears on the FaceTime. My mum stayed grey rock

OP posts:
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 16:54

@beesfeet

Had the FaceTime, I went out for a walk. My mum said he was in tears on the FaceTime. My mum stayed grey rock
Course he was! He's following the bloody script. Don't be surprise if there's talk of him having "no reason to live". All to hoover you back in OP. You're Mum's mother best instinct will really have kicked in today I'm sure. You're both doing great. This is the time when most people will be vulnerable to agreeing to try again. When the waterworks start. He's only crying for himself and because he knows that you have something that he can't possibly possess ever. Empathy. He's incapable and you need to remember that. Have the police been yet?xx
Drinkingallthewine · 25/01/2022 17:02

Go mom!

This is where he will pull out whatever he thinks will get you back, so be ready for that ok?

He tried promises, didn't work.
He's tried affection, trying to get you jealous, now he's trying threats to you. And possibly after that threats to self harm himself. All the while giving the SadFace to your friends and family and positioning himself as the broken sad man who's devastated at Beesfeet leaving him. He will try anything to get your attention, to get a reaction, so things like accusing you of things you both know you never did might also be bandied about - that's only to get you to talk to him.

beesfeet · 25/01/2022 17:24

Thank you. Believe it or not I'm actually a few months in after leaving. I have had suicide threats. I have everything ready to show the police. Messages I sent to his mum when he told me he wanted to die. I even set up a whats app group and added 2 of his closest friends to it, begging them to help me sort him out. I can show all this to the police.

This time is obviously different, I've blocked him and called the police. As flipping scary as it is.

OP posts:
beesfeet · 25/01/2022 17:25

@totallyoutnumbered no I've contacted them and asked them to come after the dcs are in bed. To be fair, they have been excellent. I had no idea they would take this so seriously Confused

OP posts:
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 18:20

@beesfeet

Thank you. Believe it or not I'm actually a few months in after leaving. I have had suicide threats. I have everything ready to show the police. Messages I sent to his mum when he told me he wanted to die. I even set up a whats app group and added 2 of his closest friends to it, begging them to help me sort him out. I can show all this to the police.

This time is obviously different, I've blocked him and called the police. As flipping scary as it is.

Then you really have gone above and beyond. Hopefully his mates will give his head a massive wobble and sort him out. You need to stay out of it now. Not your pig, not your farm remember?xx
totallyoutnumbered · 25/01/2022 18:21

[quote beesfeet]@totallyoutnumbered no I've contacted them and asked them to come after the dcs are in bed. To be fair, they have been excellent. I had no idea they would take this so seriously Confused[/quote]
Good. They really have to take this seriously x

thatbigbear · 25/01/2022 19:38

Lovely @beesfeet (I love your name btw) I am at exactly the same stage as you and it is hard, so hard not to get sucked back in. I’ve also had suicide threats, hours of tears including in front of DC and on the phone and it is very difficult to keep my heart hardened…wishing you all the best stay strong 💪

totallyoutnumbered · 26/01/2022 17:06

How are you doing today OP? X

beesfeet · 26/01/2022 18:40

@totallyoutnumbered

How are you doing today OP? X
I'm ok, thank you for thinking of me. The police came round earlier. They actually wanted to arrest him but I felt it was too much. I burst into tears.

The police say although he has harassed me, I haven't been firm enough with him, because I've been too scared. But it wouldn't amount to much if it went to court. I don't want to go through all that anyway.

I am unblocking him to send in a firm message to leave me alone and then re blocking. I thought I was being firm with him but not firm enough. And then it's a waiting game to see what happens.

I spoke to my step daughters mum this morning, she clarified a few things - that he was physically abusive with her and she had an injunction against him. I feel like an idiot. However I should have no problem getting one myself.

The police have also sadly advised that he has no contact with DS. He's only young and can escape any damage his dad is bound to do to him. This is scary and something I really need to think about.

I feel like I need to sleep but won't be able too. I'm snapping at the kids. I'm absolutely petrified to send this message to him but I know I need too. The police will be straight round to arrest him if it amounts to anything.

OP posts: