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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

DH acting weird after I went away on my own

257 replies

amberisola · 29/06/2023 16:16

I’ve just got back from a few days away at a yoga retreat. Absolute bliss and long saved up for. It’s the first time I’ve been away on my own apart from short work trips since before I got married, although I travelled and worked all over the world alone when I was younger. My self-confidence has taken a knock recently and I can feel it bouncing back.

DH was sulky about my work trips early in our marriage. He also got moody after I told him I was going on the yoga retreat, in a passive aggressive way (while insisting he was fine with it). I didn’t pay much attention because I had real problems to deal with - work has been very stressful, my dad has been seriously ill in hospital for weeks, I’ve been coming and going, exhausted, and had no bandwidth for dealing with nonsense. I was disappointed that he hasn’t been at all supportive about my dad, but I left it.

Anyway, DH picked me up today and all seemed fine. Until we got home and I found a complete bomb site, I was so disappointed that I couldn’t completely bite my tongue. He’s normally a bit of a clean freak so it was a shock. I didn’t go mad but asked him why there was mouldy bread and food lying around from 5 days ago, and why he hasn’t given the cat her medicine. Both cats seemed really upset and scared as well which is unusual. He said “they probably don’t recognise you” which seemed a bit nasty.

Later I noticed a prosecco bottle in the fridge with a bit left in the bottom, and two wine glasses in the dishwasher. I asked if he’d had someone round (fine, just unusual) and he said no, he drank it on his own. He hardly drinks and definitely not prosecco! He’ll have a little if I buy it (rarely) but we had none in the house when I left and I never buy that brand. I didn’t tell him I’d spotted the glasses. But it’s obvious he’s lying.

He got angry then and said I was “attacking” him, I’d “come back in a horrible mood” (no, I was really happy and relaxed until I saw the mess!) and I’ve clearly “got it in for him”.

I said neglecting the cat and drinking a bottle of prosecco alone was out of character and I felt like he wasn’t being completely honest with me, and he started going mad saying “what about you? You’re not being honest are you?!” I asked what that meant and he snapped at me “we’ll talk about that later” and stomped off out of the house.

Now I’m left here racking my brains as to what I could’ve done (or what he could think I’ve done). I’m coming up with nothing. I think he’s upset that I went away without him and is trying to make me feel bad - possibly to deflect from something he’s done? Maybe he just made a weird, cryptic comment to mess with my head. I don’t know.

It did mess with my head though, so I’m asking for the wisdom of MN. What do you think is going on, and how should I respond? Should I ignore, should I be worried about the lie, or could I really be in the wrong here?

OP posts:
MsRosley · 29/06/2023 19:19

Don't feel stupid, OP. It's the old boiling a frog thing, isn't it? He's probably escalated his behaviour gradually, but now it's got obviously very very hot and you've realised things really aren't okay.

Either he's covering something up, or he's deliberately punishing you. Whichever way round, it'd be a deal breaker for me. He'll very likely get worse, especially if you have kids. You can't even trust him with cats now, let alone kids.

billy1966 · 29/06/2023 19:22

He is indeed vile, but don't you dare feel stupid.

You were clearly sold a pup.

What would be silly would be to ignore this.

He is not a good man and he certainly isn't someone to have children with.

In your place, with a lot on your plate, suit yourself.

Start detaching emotionally because he is not a long term bet.

Start quietly organising yourself.

Tell those who love you the truth, "he's turned out to be a nasty prick".

Siphon money off to a friend so you have money for a rental.

Get the house valued and get legal advice.

Hopefully ditching him won't be too difficult.

He is not a good man.

Extend your stay with your family for a few days if you can.

You are no fool.

Listen to your gut.

FrogFairy · 29/06/2023 19:23

His whole behaviour here is appalling but withholding medicine from a sick pet would be the final straw for me.

determinedtomakethiswork · 29/06/2023 19:24

I'm just watching Steven Bartlett interview Russell Brand on diary of a CEO. Russell Brand married Katy Perry within three months and then told her he was divorcing her by text. That shows the level of love bombing that someone is capable of, and the way they can be so callous when someone is no longer wanted.

To be honest, your situation isn't dissimilar. He saved his best behaviour for the beginning of the relationship and now, just look at what he's doing. He's a fucking disgrace. Your dad is very ill and look at how your own husband is treating you. I am furious on your behalf.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 29/06/2023 19:26

@amberisola 'Street Angel, House Devil'. I had one of these.

My XH used to be very insecure about me going anywhere. When things were particularly bad, I wanted to stay a weekend with friends for a break, mostly from him. He started with the usual "Well I won't be here when you get back". Rather than risk that, and him smashing the house up in the process, I called his bluff, and said perhaps he should just leave then, rather than wait until the weekend. He went back to his DF's, but tried to get back in later. A whole new level of nastiness was unleashed after he left, but I got rid of the abusive bastard. No children, all good in the end.

Your H is trying to train you not to enjoy weekends away. Please don't let him. And yes, mine felt relaxed enough after marriage to behave in ways he wouldn't beforehand.

notsofamous · 29/06/2023 19:28

amberisola · 29/06/2023 19:11

Thank you for being angry on my behalf! I’m just feeling baffled and anxious, getting ready to go visit my dad again in the morning, and can’t find the energy to be mad right now. But I probably should be.

I can only dream of such a welcome home. The worst thing is, that is the sort of thing he would have done once!

And yes, too right, it is a big mistake

As a PP said “wouldn’t it be nicer with just you and the cats?” - that sounds like heaven.

It’s actually a good sign you are not mad. Because that means you don’t really care about him enough to be mad anymore. You have more important things who needs your energy right now, your dad. And yourself so you can keep it up for your dad. My dad is ill too, it’s a horrible feeling and I know what you mean about feeling anxious. Ignore the fucker for now.

And he only left a little bit of the prosecco so you’d find it. Dick.

saraclara · 29/06/2023 19:31

when he goes away on his regular trips solo/with friends

So it's okay for him to go away without you, but not for you to go away by yourself?

Does he come back to a messy house and empty bottles of prosecco? Thought not.

readbooksdrinktea · 29/06/2023 19:32

You shouldn't feel stupid. You should get angry and find a way to enjoy the rest of your life away from someone who is cold and appears full of disdain toward you. It doesn't have to be this way. You deserve for it not to be this way.

OhTheSilence · 29/06/2023 19:32

I echo what the others have said - he is punishing you for daring to turn your focus on something other than him and not giving him the attention he thinks he's entitled to. Taking advantage of the confusion he's created to deflect from the double standard where he gets to go away freely.

Ridemeginger · 29/06/2023 19:35

More red flags than Arsenal v Man U. Please don't stay with this horrible man, he's mentally abusing you, and things will only get worse if you have children.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 29/06/2023 19:37

Your yoga retreat sounds lovely and well deserved.

PrinceHaz · 29/06/2023 19:38

Is it possible he did give the cats their medicine but is pretending he didn’t, like he may be pretending he’d shared a drink?
Alternatively, you say he’s been cold, distant and unpleasant more recently which does make the idea of infidelity seem more likely.

whatausername · 29/06/2023 19:41

Being neglectful of pets is animal abuse. That is an immovable line for me. He'd be gone.

Also, he is playing games (with quite a bit of effort - going out to buy prosecco, setting up a mess, setting up the glasses...), he is callous, controlling and uncaring and he is psychologically abusive. I bet most of the people you know would call him charming or a nice guy...yet when a PP suggested this was a deliberate setup on his part and done to keep you in place, you said you wouldn't put it past him. That tells you everything you need to know. There is a cold calculating element to his behaviour.

Dotcheck · 29/06/2023 19:43

cuckyplunt · 29/06/2023 17:23

Run for the hills, life is far too short for this sort of childish shit.

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

Folklore9074 · 29/06/2023 19:45

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 16:34

Go away more and budget between you for a cleaner.

What's the point of being hitched to someone if every move you make independently is resented. I could not live with someone like that ever, sorry OP, I don't mean to sound like I am lecturing you, but what exactly is the effing point?

Either he is spoilt rotten, has no outlets of his own, or is just one of those people who like to put a downer on anything pleasurable that those close to them do without them! He sounds like he is five years old and Mummy left for the day or something.

Absolutely this. All of this.

Sealover123 · 29/06/2023 19:45

LTB and keep the cats with you

Seebit · 29/06/2023 19:46

@willWillSmithsmith

Me too. Total bliss. Don’t put up with this sort of shit and if you don’t have kids, leave him because this won’t improve.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 19:47

notsofamous · 29/06/2023 19:28

It’s actually a good sign you are not mad. Because that means you don’t really care about him enough to be mad anymore. You have more important things who needs your energy right now, your dad. And yourself so you can keep it up for your dad. My dad is ill too, it’s a horrible feeling and I know what you mean about feeling anxious. Ignore the fucker for now.

And he only left a little bit of the prosecco so you’d find it. Dick.

Yes, so true.

Behaving like a self-absorbed dick in the last few weeks instead of supporting me just meant he moved himself way down my list of priorities.

So sorry to hear your dad’s ill too. It is really horrible.

OP posts:
FictionalCharacter · 29/06/2023 19:47

FrogFairy · 29/06/2023 19:23

His whole behaviour here is appalling but withholding medicine from a sick pet would be the final straw for me.

I agree. Neglecting or harming an animal to punish a partner is as low as it gets. OP mentioned that the cats were scared and upset, so clearly his neglect or weird behaviour goes beyond not giving one of them its medicine.
In his mind this is a great way for him to prevent his partner going away without him. She’ll be worrying about the poor cats.

MsRosley · 29/06/2023 19:48

In his mind this is a great way for him to prevent his partner going away without him. She’ll be worrying about the poor cats.

Or if she goes away regardless, he gets the satisfaction of knowing the worry is tainting her trip.

amberisola · 29/06/2023 19:51

PrinceHaz · 29/06/2023 19:38

Is it possible he did give the cats their medicine but is pretending he didn’t, like he may be pretending he’d shared a drink?
Alternatively, you say he’s been cold, distant and unpleasant more recently which does make the idea of infidelity seem more likely.

I suppose it could be. Only one needs the medicine and she seems fine. I just asked him casually if she had been ok with it and he said she hadn’t had any, because she “doesn’t need it anymore”. 😳 It’s true that she has been a lot better, but she needs to finish the treatment - and he doesn’t get to just decide that!

OP posts:
amberisola · 29/06/2023 19:56

FictionalCharacter · 29/06/2023 19:47

I agree. Neglecting or harming an animal to punish a partner is as low as it gets. OP mentioned that the cats were scared and upset, so clearly his neglect or weird behaviour goes beyond not giving one of them its medicine.
In his mind this is a great way for him to prevent his partner going away without him. She’ll be worrying about the poor cats.

Yes, I agree this is as low as you can go. The idea that they could have been frightened because of something he did breaks my heart. He has been nothing but kind and loving towards them in front of me, but as I say, I don’t recognise this behaviour of his. I will have to leave them with friends in future - it didn’t occur to me that he wouldn’t look after them properly 😰

OP posts:
insatiableme · 29/06/2023 19:58

My first though were he has brought Prosecco and left two glasses out just to get your mind racing.

keyboardkat · 29/06/2023 19:58

Do you think you will stay and try to appease him, or will you think things through and get your plan to leave in motion? Or get HIM to leave.

I know it is all very unpleasant and probably heart breaking, but judging by what you have revealed so far, I don't think his post marriage behaviour is any big surprise right now. You did say he was different before marrying, so perhaps the love bombing started then, and now..... it does seem to follow a pattern with such men.

I wish you well and hope you make the right decision for YOU. It might take a little time, but once you have made your mind up and realise that the evidence is there of a cold calculating man, you will see the light.

willWillSmithsmith · 29/06/2023 19:59

amberisola · 29/06/2023 19:56

Yes, I agree this is as low as you can go. The idea that they could have been frightened because of something he did breaks my heart. He has been nothing but kind and loving towards them in front of me, but as I say, I don’t recognise this behaviour of his. I will have to leave them with friends in future - it didn’t occur to me that he wouldn’t look after them properly 😰

So you’re staying with him? (Re:leaving cats with friends in the future). Do you even like this man, he sounds pretty unlikeable to me.