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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

Relationship break up, really heartbroken *trigger warning: abuse*

190 replies

Mydogisamentalist · 24/12/2023 22:43

Hi, I feel really stupid writing a thread like this on Christmas Eve but I’m heartbroken and I think a little bit traumatised. I know I’ve posted about this relationship before on here and I was told to run. I should have.

Me and my boyfriend of a year and a half broke up a couple of days ago, well that’s all I can assume as it was never really clarified. I’m not handling it very well. I know I should be jumping for joy. Wtf is wrong with me!?

He could be physically abusive towards the beginning and was very emotionally abusive throughout.
I’ve never told anyone this but he threatened to kill me three times. He was driving and we were arguing about something really difficult for me. He started driving at 90-100 miles an hour, once screaming he was going to plough into the truck in front. The parking sensors were going crazy, I was terrified. Another time he did the same but into a roundabout. The third was off the side of a very high hill. That was the worst and I grabbed my phone to try and call the police. He lunged at me, pushing me into the car door and pulled it out of my hand, bending my wrist backwards in the process and really hurting me. He was holding my phone out the window, telling me he’d throw it if I didn’t ‘behave’ and I could have it back ‘when I’d calmed down’.

Everything in our relationship was on his terms. He’d disagree with that but it was. I tried so hard to care about him while also standing up for myself. He was skint and so I paid for pretty much everything. He had no money and his only shoes had holes in them so I bought him some lovely ones for Christmas. I knew he couldn’t afford to buy me anything back but I wanted him to not be uncomfortable. That’s hurting the most right now. He has those shoes that I bought with love and he clearly never cared about me if he could do what he’s done.

Which leads me to the break up. A massive bug bare for me was phone calls. He never ever answered the phone. Basically I had to wait for him to call me and if for some reason I was busy he’d never pick up if I called back. Yet he could ring constantly. There were times he’d call over and over again until I answered. Family noticed it, friends noticed it. It was like an unspoken one rule for him but another for me.
Three days ago I really wanted to talk to him. It had been a shitty morning and I just wanted some kindness (just to add, this was rare! I didn’t call all the time. I never really called him at all because it was pointless). He answered after a few tries and was a bit short and asked if he could call me back in an hour. I agreed. Two hours pass and nothing. Normally I’d just wait indefinitely but something about that day made me snap. I’d had enough of him being able to call how much and when he pleased and me living on tenterhooks over it. So I called him a few times. He texts to say he’s still busy and to stop ‘harassing’ him, he’ll call me ‘asap’. Six more hours pass and still nothing. I did send a somewhat grumpy message and then discover he’d blocked me. He’s never done this before.

I called him yesterday from a withheld number. I probably shouldn’t have but I was hurt and confused. Two weeks ago I was on the verge of breaking up with him and he didn’t want it to end. We had a conversation where he was in tears. He said that even if we did break up he’d want to be my best friend. I wouldn’t be able to stop him from calling every day and he’d still want to meet up. That he never wanted to not be a part of my life because he loved me and he’d be devastated to lose me. He’s always been quite affectionate in telling me ‘I meant everything to him’ and so on. I guess having a total 360 done to you makes you want answers.
Anyway, I mentioned this to him and he immediately said ‘I do want to be friends’. I also asked what was going on and if we were broken up (I know, I’m pathetic) and he said ‘is that what you want?’ He wouldn’t answer the question and then he hung up on me.

I’m still blocked everywhere. I haven’t tried to contact him today. He phoned me though off a with held number around noon. I answered it and he said nothing. It was weird, he waited ten seconds before hanging up.

I know this is the last thing I should be thinking about but all I want to know is if I’ll ever hear from him again. He was often awful. He could also be amazingly kind and loving. I miss him while being aware that In a few weeks I’ll probably be glad this happened… yet right now all I want is to know if he’s gone for good. He’s ruining Christmas. I can’t feel happy and I can’t think of anything else. I’m just going through the motions 😞

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 24/12/2023 22:48

RUN

FAST

and dont look back

Where are you living / where is he living ?

If he has broken up with you you should thank your lucky stars, I don't believe he has, so

GET RID OF HIM

block / delete / ignore

GET HELP

be somewhere SAFE

You won't see next Christmas.

DoubleTime · 24/12/2023 22:54

Oh OP. I don't think this is over yet and I think he will be back.
You started your post by saying you should have run. So take this time to make plans for your future without him. The change will feel strange and hard at first but in not so very long, you will be so very glad that you did it.

Mydogisamentalist · 24/12/2023 23:02

It’s a really weird and horrible feeling. I don’t think it’s exactly him that I’m going to miss. It’s the routine of him if that makes sense.

He’s always been very… constant and I’ve almost learnt to build my day around him. Usually he’d call in the morning. Then he’d text constantly until early afternoon where he’d usually call again. Then a few more hours of sporadic texting and then another call followed by a message when he got home from work (he worked late). It’s felt really lonely and hollow without it.

I could take or leave spending time with him. He cost me a fortune and was actually a pretty miserable person to be around. I wanted to break up, I have for a while so why is this hitting me so hard.

OP posts:
Ofcourseshecan · 24/12/2023 23:02

OP, it is sheer good luck he hasn’t killed you already, with his insane driving. Next time you get in a car with him you could run out of luck.
For God’s sake don’t let him back into your life.

DoubleTime · 24/12/2023 23:04

Your life has been lived around him OP, and the change will feel strange and wrong but its only because its unfamiliar. There was a time before you knew him that your day didn't revolve around him, and you will adjust if you give yourself time away from him.

Andthereyougo · 24/12/2023 23:10

No, he wasn’t amazingly kind —- it’s an act.
You’ve met him for the first time — he verbally abuses you, refuses to answer you, walks away, walks back. You’d tell him to piss off and think weirdo. So he can’t behave like his true self, he has to act nice, kind, interesting, interested in you to hook you in. Then later you see the real him.
Get your number changed, block him on sm and live your life for you for awhile.
Don’t look back.

Bananalanacake · 24/12/2023 23:14

He was using you for money, don't give him any more.

crackofdoom · 24/12/2023 23:15

It sounds like there might be an element of trauma bonding here, which can happen in an emotionally intense yet toxic relationship. Something traumatic happens- usually provoked by him- there is shock and drama- then you end up in each others' arms comforting each other, getting further enmeshed each time. Then you end up asking yourself "I know he's terrible for me, but surely these strong feelings I have for him mean we have a unique bond?"

Nope nope nopeity nope.

You're going to have to wean yourself off this person like a drug. Cold turkey is the best approach by far.

TheCatfordCat · 24/12/2023 23:19

You're caught in a cycle of abuse. He nice, he's kind, etc. Then there's a trigger. He's horrible, he threatens you, he's abusive. Then he's all apologetic and remorseful and says it won't happen again. He's nice, he's kind....

Get to safety, ring Women's Aid to get some perspective, and tell everyone who cares about you what's been happening. You need to be out of this situation ASAP.

Mydogisamentalist · 24/12/2023 23:20

I’ve never known who the real him is. Sometimes it feels like whiplash.
I can have an amazing day with him where he’s absolutely lovely, kind, caring and considerate and then the moment he leaves… I’ll just feel cold.

He has done more horrible stuff than I’ve listed. What I’m finding hard to get past is usually the horrible stuff is extremely bad. Blocking and disappearing and refusing to talk isn’t really his style. Normally any time I’m upset with him he tries to fix it quickly, he’s the very opposite of silent treatment.

OP posts:
TheCatfordCat · 24/12/2023 23:22

Oh & ffs never get in a car with him driving again. LTB. But plan it carefully.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 24/12/2023 23:23

So he is now using a new tactic.

Doesn't matter.

RUN

while you can !

Mydogisamentalist · 24/12/2023 23:32

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I keep flip flopping. I know logically this is the best thing that could have happened. I know how he behaves isn’t ok. I know he is a gaslighting piece of shit that somehow manages to turn every argument into my fault! But it’s ok because he will always ‘forgive’ me for it. I know he will have a shitter life without me. He has no friends, very little family, is about to lose his job and he has no permanent address. He’s living with a sort of relative that’s only keeping him due to the rent he’s paying.

Yet I still miss him. And I’m angry at myself for it because I know I shouldn’t. I know he’s a dysfunctional human that has created this situation. I’m my own person and I walked into this.

OP posts:
Opentooffers · 24/12/2023 23:33

Do not date anyone else for a long time - at least a year. Do some work on yourself until you get to a point of being able to say no to any man who abuses you from the start - because accepting that is tragic.

Anotherparkingthread · 24/12/2023 23:33

If a man tells you he is going to kill you then you should believe him.

category12 · 24/12/2023 23:41

It's a trauma bond you have with him, OP. It's almost like an addiction.

It's a very powerful psychological effect and you probably need some support, like doing the Freedom Programme or speaking to Women's Aid or getting some counselling (or all three).

You need to keep away from him and block him so he can't contact you. This is an opportunity to get free, please be strong and don't get reeled back in.

You may feel like you miss him and need him and that he needs you, but it will pass - you won't always feel this way. You know rationally that this is a horrible abusive relationship for you: you have to ignore those emotions.

auburnglow788 · 24/12/2023 23:42

You've become so used to the trouble and strife, that you don't know/remember the joy of living a peaceful, easier life. You need to stop justifying his bad behaviours and thinking of the one or two times when he was less problematic or when he wasn't abusing you. From reading your post, it sounds like quite a struggle and you need to stop excusing his abusive behaviour and wean yourself off him. It's not going to be easy and he will be back when it suits him, but you have the choice to build a better, calmer life for yourself.

WandaWonder · 24/12/2023 23:43

As soon as you can I would seriously think about getting professional help

He has not ruined Christmas you are making that choice

Copperoliverbear · 24/12/2023 23:43

He's a narcissist and gaslighting you, stay away before he kills you.

RedHelenB · 24/12/2023 23:49

TheCatfordCat · 24/12/2023 23:22

Oh & ffs never get in a car with him driving again. LTB. But plan it carefully.

This I can't understand why you want to be with someone who wants to kill you and hurt you.

BigPussyEnergy · 24/12/2023 23:54

Ruining Christmas is just another part of the abuse, they hate when something isn’t all about them, so special occasions etc have to be all about them too. My ex flipped on Xmas eve too and ruined every holiday with an argument.

There will be a big gap when he’s gone because he’s made sure that he interjects into your day at regular intervals. He wants you to be thinking of him all day every day as that gives him power over you - which he’s using now to keep manipulating you.

Those long silences on your phone will feel horrendous for a while. But eventually you get out of the habit of expecting the ping, you fill your days with other things - maybe another app that pings differently like DuoLingo or something to give you something else to focus on!

And at some point you might even start getting pings from a dating app or a new boyfriend, but not until you’re in a healthy emotional position to expect better than this awful relationship.

That cold feeling you get after you spend time with him is your body telling you this isn’t right.

Start the new year without this dead weight around your neck. Plan some lovely things to do, spend time with friends and family, try new hobbies, do the freedom program, and promise yourself that you won’t settle for someone who puts your life and mental health in jeopardy.

Angelsrose · 24/12/2023 23:59

Sadly op it's likely you would have come to serious and irreversible harm if you had stayed in this poor imitation of a relationship. You've had a lucky escape and I hope you have a beautiful Christmas day that you deserve.

Mydogisamentalist · 25/12/2023 00:03

You might be right that he’s done this because he knows it will ruin Christmas for me. He ruined my 30th birthday too. I forgive him because he made an effort on my 31st but he only really did that because I’d read him the riot act due to the year before.

Secretly I’m worried. My gut is telling me this isn’t over yet and while I really really really want to be wonderfully strong and never give him the satisfaction of a reply or conversation again… in reality I’m not sure what I’ll do.

OP posts:
ChristmasSteps295 · 25/12/2023 00:21

It might help to get out some of the bad points in black and white on here or with women's aid or similar. Or even just write them out for yourself.

It's completely understandable that you miss someone who has been a regular part of your life. And yes, there probably were very good times or times when you were so relieved he was being reasonable that it felt like heaven in comparison to the bad times. But really try and focus on the narrative of what's actually happened here.

You also need to process this stuff. You've probably buried it or been wise to the idea that it wouldn't be welcomed by him as a topic. You might just need that confirmation from someone external that it really was that bad.

He's a very damaged and dangerous person, from the sound of it. I know you're suffering but try and think of it as a withdrawal rather than a love story.

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