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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

Did I over react and ruin the relationship?

215 replies

Seapearlstar · 23/01/2023 15:49

We’ve been together for 3 years and he has bailed on me a couple of times due to his own insecurities and issues. It was a struggle for me to trust again, but the last 6 months or so have been amazing and it seemed like we were really understanding each other a lot better. I don’t express it, but I am concerned he will leave again. Because it’s been so close and loving I finally fully relaxed inside. The other night I expressed to him how happy I am and secure I feel with him and he said he’s so glad and just wants to show me so much love, and I said he does and I couldn’t ask for more from how things are going. So we live apart at the moment and the conversation ended with me saying “I love you” and he said “I’m glad”. So I said “I’m glad you love me also”, to which he said “I don’t respond for responses sake”

so I said, ok, well let’s sleep honey, rest well. So then he said, “don’t give to get”. I said, well I never do…I express what I feel, so goodnight. So then he said “you love me and I took it. Go to sleep my eyes are gone now”

I literally couldn’t reply, I felt blindsided. This guy said he wants to marry me, and everything’s been amazing between us. I make tons of effort to show my love various ways and am always there for him, so I’m definitely not a taker.

so I went to sleep. The next morning I’d usually text first but left it. I messaged around midday, and said last night felt funny is everything ok?

so he sent me a message at the same time saying “now you’ve decided to not be in contact with me, obviously you’re upset with what I said. The reason I said what I said is I here it all the time, women on there phones saying I love you, and the reason they do it is so they’re told they’re loved back” and it turns my stomach, so I decided to just say I’m glad for once, and see what your response was, but you’ve taken it how you’ll take it”

I said, “It feels a bit like you’re game playing. When I say I love you it means something to me. I didn’t ask you to respond, saying your glad is a response, but why take it further talking about responding fir responses sake”

I was pissed off in my message as I hate game playing and he’s played games before. So I had an angry tone as it was voice message.

so then he responded saying everything’s so good between us, but it’s this, how “one questionable thing he says” and I’m upset. I said actually you say many things and I’m very relaxed ways many wouldn’t be…but this, it felt a bit of a head mess.

it descended into an argument because he then said “it needed to be said”

I started to feel majorly uneasy and insecure and wondering why “it needed to be said” he told me he can’t be with me now because I got angry with him.

so then I said a few nasty things and we haven’t spoken.

I just don’t know how it all happened like that so quickly and wondering if I was totally unreasonable.

OP posts:
Ofcourseshecan · 23/01/2023 23:46

Well done, OP. Men like that can seem charming, but you will always come second to their egos and game-playing. And it’s just not worth all the drama.

Mom2K · 23/01/2023 23:47

He’s playing games to gain control. But you let yourself down by responding with the nasty response to him . I’d apologise for the nasty things you said to him and see what he says . Next time don’t scoop to his level

She absolutely should NOT apologize.

He deliberately caused that argument to trigger her and push her over the edge (and with their history it was an easy trigger for him. He knew what he was doing). And once she reacted in the way that any normal person would have reacted, he now thinks he can play the victim. This is sabotage of the highest order - my ex is king of orchestrating arguments and then victimizing himself when his victim has finally snapped. This gives himself permission to continue to behave badly because look at how you're reacting to the problem HE started. He will never hold any accountability for his own behaviour.

His response to "I love you" is pretty disgusting. If a child had said it to him would he have responded in the same way? "You're only saying it to hear it back"? That's gross. Who instantly thinks that a person is being manipulative by expressing love rather than believing it and reciprocating? Someone who seeks pleasure in messing with and hurting other people. That's who. He's a nasty weirdo.

Also OP you didn't actually say anything nasty to him from what I can tell. You expressed that he doesn't care about you (definitely looks that way from here!) and that he was playing games. These are facts. And an extremely good reason to permanently end this relationship. Life's too short to be unhappy OP. He is what he is - I.e: not good.

Mom2K · 23/01/2023 23:53

I broke up with him

This is great news OP - I'm sure you are probably still hurting at the moment but you've done the right thing. You deserve to he happy, which isn't possible with him.

Hesanuttercunt · 23/01/2023 23:56

Seapearlstar · 23/01/2023 17:15

He hasn’t apologised. The last message I got is that he feels traumatised and is processing nasty things I’ve said and trying to get his head straight

You say you don't like game players, he's a game player, just get out now its never going to get better.

SomeareDeluded · 23/01/2023 23:57

KettrickenSmiled · 23/01/2023 15:53

Fucking hell he's hard work.

What a jerk.
He LOVES blowing hot & cold on you, It makes you insecure & puts all the power in his hands.

Your bedtime exchange was just downright nasty of him. Why are you tolerating such disrespect & cruelty?

This!

What an arse.

Hesanuttercunt · 23/01/2023 23:58

Oh I see you have left, well done OP relationships are supposed to be fun not hard work.

BackAgainstWall · 24/01/2023 00:09

He is a head fuck and he was putting you in your place.

I hope you’re okay.
Dust yourself off and give yourself time, and find someone who really deserves you, because you sound far too nice and good for him.

samqueens · 24/01/2023 00:36

Sorry OP - he is controlling and abusive. This won’t change, so you will need to block and move on if you don’t want your head to become a mess permanently.

Highly recommend the Lundy Bancroft book Why Does He Do That? (you can download on kindle app) It offers amazing insight into how this behaviour works and how it feels to be treated that way.

EllieM27 · 24/01/2023 01:03

hennylovespens · 23/01/2023 22:08

Seems reasonable to me. I mean you weren't wrong.

This smacks of pick up artist guff. Be grateful for the whopping red flags and stay the hell away from him. Don't waste another second on him.

I thought the exact same thing. The whole “I hear women saying ‘I love you’ to people on the phone all the time because they want to make people say it back to them” thing is bizarrely specific and reeks of some kind of manosphere crap. Then again this guy is apparently nearly 60 years old so you’d think he’d be a bit old for that.

Stay strong and block him OP. You can do so much better than this sad old game-playing man.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 24/01/2023 03:23

GoodChat · 23/01/2023 16:09

I'm not sure that he's actually completely wrong here. He's right in that you were upset because he didn't say he loved you back. What's the point in saying it just because someone's said it to you?

You should say it in those moments where you get that pang of "oh my god" - not just because.

But she wasn’t upset he didn’t say it. she accused when he said he was glad but then he then started twisting things to try to make out she was upset he didn’t say it back:

MamaMountain · 24/01/2023 04:07

This may not be a popular reply to you OP, but having been with many guys over the years like this, I’m at the stage where I can very much see the light…

I’m afraid to be truly happy (and it’ll take time) you need to leave him and find someone that doesn’t play games!

-Do you really want to marry someone who treats you like this?
-Do you want to be second guessing/treading on eggshells not to upset him?
-Think of it this way, if he loved you so much, why would he risk upsetting/losing you?

I hated that limbo of being upset and then feeling loved in a relationship, they would sulk, they wouldn’t text etc, it was basically emotional torture with me on the receiving end. And the problem being once they know their mind games work, they carry on with them, because you’ll come back running and fussing over them. I just wanted an easy going ‘he loves me and that’s that’ effortless relationship. Sure being in a relationship takes work and effort, but it should never feel like a chore, especially not emotionally. Finally I met and married a guy who doesn’t play games, what you see is what you get, and if neither of us text each other straight back, it’s because we’re busy. We wouldn’t dream of upsetting each unnecessarily, what’s the point? That’s not love.

Life is honestly too short to waste it with someone that makes you feel miserable, also unfortunately I’ve learnt you never know when it could be the last time you tell someone you love them. If he’s not making you feel that way, then he doesn’t deserve you. Please leave him. Trust me there’s a person out there that wouldn’t dream of making you feel that way, however I don’t think it’s the guy you’re with now.

If you’re sure you don’t want to leave him (I know it’s hard, love is blind after all and it’s an argument between your heart and your head) perhaps suggest couple’s counselling to him? Again if he’s not willing to engage with that, it’s another sign about his commitment to your relationship.

Sorry to be blunt, but as I said, I speak from experience.

Hellibore · 24/01/2023 04:08

Seapearlstar · 23/01/2023 22:47

I broke up with him

Good job 🙌

barmycatmum · 24/01/2023 04:20

Seapearlstar · 23/01/2023 17:22

Told him to fuck off and find someone he really cares about. Told him he’s fickle and a game player. Over analysed the “responses for responses sake” comment, and the “it needed to be said” comment

I mean, you were correct in all that you said.

please stand firm in what you are calling “nastiness” and what is, in fact, simply backbone.

creeps like this guy just love to pull mind/ control games with someone , then flip it around and act the victim when someone has a completely understandable reaction to their shit.

kick him to the curb. You’ll be so glad you did when you have a little time and distance, and can see more clearly how this asshole is training you to beg for crumbs.

barmycatmum · 24/01/2023 04:31

Oh! So relieved to read your update. Well done! I know it’s painful right now, but in time, it will help in your healing process that you stood up for, and protected yourself.

ugh. And 20 years older?! Not a catch - you’d be stuck as a caregiver to a power tripping creep.
You’ve got so much better life ahead.

MamaMountain · 24/01/2023 04:43

Sorry OP just seen you ended things.

Well done! Trust me you’ll be much happier in the long term!

Johnduttonsbuttocks · 24/01/2023 05:04

It's a no from me, I'm afraid.

Johnduttonsbuttocks · 24/01/2023 05:11

I just saw you ended it. Absolutely the right choice. Trust your gut - he is toxic.

maybeinanoter86 · 24/01/2023 05:48

I just wanted you to know this isn't your fault . We all like a love you too reply . That's only natural . He sounds like a narcissistic sod . Iv been with one for 11 years . Only now Iv risen above him and don't bite anymore which annoys him even more .

You will never be happy forever with this one and you know it . Youl constantly feel on edge and constantly worry even when you are happy which then ruins the relationship because you will constantly be questioning it . Because you know the happiness will end soon and the whole game playing will start all isn't again .

They do it to knock your right down to nothing . Please don't waste anymore time on him . I wish I walked away years ago ❤️

Ameadowwalk · 24/01/2023 07:10

I hope you are okay this morning. I was too tired to post last night but I wanted to say in your post at 21.04, you have the measure of him. For whatever reason, and please don’t waste time and energy trying to work out what that is, he is not going to let you properly relax into a secure relationship with him. Take care of yourself, spend time with some friends and do things you enjoy Flowers
And remember this thread if he tries to come back when he gets bored being on his own.

Seapearlstar · 24/01/2023 07:24

He sent me this long message about how wonderful and special and beautiful I am and how the love has grown, then he did his usual, but you can’t take challenges, something negative comes up and you get upset and don’t understand the point I was making, so I can’t see myself marrying you.

This is a guy who has expressed likings for other women, specific fantasies he likes, falsely accused me of liking someone else, dropped me twice, been vicious in his many attacks. I’ve 100% accommodated or forgiven him without apology and continued with him, I’m easy going about loads. I told him he was playing games with me and devaluing me, and I had a right to question what he said as it stabbed me and hurt me. He said he didn’t play games and that I need a man who will always be nice with no negatives and that he made a valid point,

I asked him- what was your point, and I hope you enjoyed making it because the fruit of it is I can’t trust you anymore, so wouldn’t marry you either so I’m done with this relationship, as you don’t have the mental capacity to know when you’re creating drama and causing pain for no discernible reason. You’ve always done it, and rather than an apology and making things better, you just tell me I’m not good enough, so you’re not good enough and I hope you’re happy with the little game you played.

OP posts:
Johnduttonsbuttocks · 24/01/2023 07:34

Honestly - well done. You are worth far more than he is giving, or could ever give.

Mirroredlove · 24/01/2023 07:36

Game playing

Seapearlstar · 24/01/2023 07:45

I’m furiously devastated and weak today. Everything was so good, he could have apologised, as I apologised for my harsh words. But clearly he sees me as a lesser being and doesn’t care about messing with my emotions

OP posts:
perfectcolourfound · 24/01/2023 07:46

I asked him- what was your point, and I hope you enjoyed making it because the fruit of it is I can’t trust you anymore, so wouldn’t marry you either so I’m done with this relationship, as you don’t have the mental capacity to know when you’re creating drama and causing pain for no discernible reason. You’ve always done it, and rather than an apology and making things better, you just tell me I’m not good enough, so you’re not good enough and I hope you’re happy with the little game you played.

@Seapearlstar Youare my hero. This is a brilliant response.

What stood out to me, is that his little hissy fit came after you told him you were feeling safe and secure. He deliberately set out to spoil that. He didn't want you to feel safe with him, he wanted you to feel on edge and as though you didn't deserve him and had to work hard to keep him.

You've done the right thing. Well done!!

Johnduttonsbuttocks · 24/01/2023 07:48

You're right to feel angry. Channel that anger into the best revenge - a life well-lived, without him in it. Can you do something for yourself - book a weekend away with friends, some self care that will remind you of your commitment to yourself?