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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

Do these things look odd to you?

135 replies

AppleWhiskers · 19/10/2024 19:23

A few things have happened recently that make me uncomfortable, but not sure how to get my head around them. In LTR, no children together, things have been a little strained over the past few years but nothing too dramatic.

First incident: About a year ago he began moving his dinner time later into the evening, hour by hour, until we were rarely eating together much at all. I mentioned it a few times and he said he hadn't noticed.
I then begin to notice that he seems silently irritated if I am in the kitchen when he is cooking. Then, last week, whilst making myself a cup of tea whilst he was at the sink, we were just having a laugh, fairly lighthearted vibe, and as I turned around to say something he caught both my upper arms in his hands, squeezing his thumbs into my flesh which really freaking hurt! I actually yelped. He looked puzzled and said nothing until I mentioned it hurt, his reply was he had no idea what I was talking about, but he was sorry if he had hurt me. It was quite out of the ordinary and since he is a big chap, surely he would have known?

Another incident: We had been planning a short break for a while, and he told me to go ahead and book it for any weekend that was free for me. I surprised him last week by booking our favourite place and told him the dates, then he went quiet. After a bit of prodding he told me he had arranged to visit a friend on the day we'd depart. He visits this friend several times per month, only a few miles up the road, and they tend to just listen to music together and chat. It wasn't an important meeting and could have been rescheduled for any day that following week, so seemed a bit out of character.
He was visibly annoyed and said he would come down the following day on a train!

Another: I have noticed that if I don't make conversation, he pretty much doesn't speak to me. He will say practical stuff, offer to make coffee, tell the occasional joke, but no actual conversation whatsoever. I tend to generate most things and never gave it much thought before.
One effect of this is that if I don't ask or instigate a topic, he won't tell me anything about his day, or ask my opinion on things. It seems really strange as I am certain it never used to be like that a few years ago.

There are plenty more odd details that stand out to me, but I don't want to make the post too long. I am wondering if this is common, or has had anyone else baffled in a similar way? There's a lot of things that when questioned, he either denies knowing what I am talking about or acts completely confused.

The day after the arm thing I had two small bruises on my arms. I showed him and he kindly rolled his eyes as if I was being silly. I am sure to god he must have bloody known how they got there.
He has never been particularly violent, apart one or two small incidents many years ago which were during a time of terrible stress. He is also very bothered about being seen as a 'good person', especially in his own eyes. He says a lot but doesn't act on his words. Obviously, I am having doubts, but dont' want to be too hasty.

OP posts:
Grmumpy · 21/10/2024 00:40

He sounds apathetic and resentful ( and a bit weird). You need the courage to make a new start for yourself. I think he could go either way when you tell him..suddenly want you back or relieved thinking he’ll have a better life without you..he won’t. Good luck and be brave.

kittybiscuits · 21/10/2024 00:49

OP I have been through this and work in this field. I'm so glad you posted. It's obvious you are starting to understand. Please be very careful to keep your insight well hidden and don't change your behaviour too much as you plan your next moves. The way you describe him is chilling and he has the potential to be dangerous. The fact that he hates you is a reflection of him, not you.

FictionalCharacter · 21/10/2024 00:53

GrumpyInsomniac · 19/10/2024 19:40

It sounds like he’s checked out of the relationship, but rather than doing the decent thing and bringing it to an end, is seeing how far he can push you before you snap and initiate the break-up yourself. And that has become a form of entertainment or activity in itself.

Either way he sounds callous and cruel, and I would be looking at planning my exit, especially with the escalation to the bruises. A man who genuinely loved you would not be behaving like this. You deserve better. And being alone would undoubtedly be better than spending your life on eggshells, wondering what the next sign of cruelty or neglect is going to be.

I agree, my first thought was that he’s checked out. You say What links these changes together is that they always involve pulling away from me in some fashion. That really does sound like he’s withdrawing from the relationship.

My ex started eating meals alone - cooking for himself, when we used to eat together. Like yours, he started being irritated with me for trivial and strange reasons. He agreed to go somewhere with me for a weekend, then when the tickets arrived he said he’d arranged to do something else. It didn’t sink in at the time that he had checked out. I didn’t really believe it until he started staying with a friend most weekends and saying he thought he wanted to live on his own. The relationship was already dead and I’d been in denial. This sounds like your relationship I’m afraid.

Hurting you like that is serious though, it’s another level. But his eye rolling and pretending he didn’t do it is consistent with all the rest of it.

He will change a habit and then deny ever having had it Yep, my ex did that too. One time I was completely baffled, because I mentioned something he used on his hair, and he denied ever having used it. He had used it for years.

tattygrl · 21/10/2024 01:08

Well, OP, you're in a very dangerous situation. What you've written about this man is chilling and raises established alarm bells and red flags.

You just need to go. What I'm worried about is you venting on here, and then sinking back into the familiar everyday of your life and either ending up having a conversation with him, or not leaving for ages. You are in danger. Women are killed and seriously injured by their male intimate partners REGULARLY.

I hope you leave as a matter of urgency, and discreetly.

AutumnLeaves24 · 21/10/2024 01:16

Don't know where you'd like to go? are you restricted by your business?

can you a friend drive a truck? Do you have friends that would help you load a truck with all your stuff?

try to think about the practicalities and make a plan in your head & do it ASAP.

Ladyof2024 · 21/10/2024 01:24

GrumpyInsomniac · 19/10/2024 19:40

It sounds like he’s checked out of the relationship, but rather than doing the decent thing and bringing it to an end, is seeing how far he can push you before you snap and initiate the break-up yourself. And that has become a form of entertainment or activity in itself.

Either way he sounds callous and cruel, and I would be looking at planning my exit, especially with the escalation to the bruises. A man who genuinely loved you would not be behaving like this. You deserve better. And being alone would undoubtedly be better than spending your life on eggshells, wondering what the next sign of cruelty or neglect is going to be.

This poster has provided you with the absolutely perfect and correct answer.

All I would add is that you can either stay until he physically assaults you, maybe very badly, or you can preempt that and leave now.

Ladyof2024 · 21/10/2024 01:35

AppleWhiskers · 20/10/2024 16:33

Oh don't worry, the ducks are quacking!

There isn't a lot to do, we don't have many ties, and I have spent the last 18 months distancing myself from a few other people that were causing me distress (who I knew through him, oddly enough), so it's been a work in progress, and I am happy to say that I've managed to do that without conflict and kept things civil.
He is the last to go. I knew this one would take a lot more work to unravel, but I am determined to make my plans.

Just said in another thread that it is much better to start anew, no matter how scary, than to endure perpetual misery with people who don't value you. Not easy by any means, and I have wasted so many precious years, but I am willing to work from the ground up, and aim for much better.

Thanks for the good advice.

There is a saying on this site, I don't know if you've seen it, that a man never leaves no matter how bad things may be in a relationship, unless he's got another woman to go to.

And that's why he's still with you.

XChrome · 21/10/2024 02:36

AppleWhiskers · 19/10/2024 21:41

Ok, I really want to see what people think of this.
It is so intensely private but I have never spoken of it to anyone.

Many years ago I was sexually assaulted on a night out with a friend. It involved the use of a drug and I'd had hardly anything to drink. I certainly don't want to go into detail about that experience here, but something happened a few days later that never sat right with me.

My DP was supportive and I booked into some counselling. It was immensely helpful and helped me to process and move on. But around four days after the assault my DP asked me a really strange question. He asked what position I had been in when it happened, sort of how you might enquire about a sexual act.
I was shocked and told him so, but he didn't seem to think he had said anything untoward. I put it down to being sensitive and vulnerable at the time, but even years later it made no sense.
If I recall correctly he asked about a sexual position whilst looking slightly annoyed/angry with me (to my mind). I can't prove this, even to myself, but that is what flashed through my mind.

I know people here are now primed to see him in a negative light due to this thread, but I can still see it in my memory and have never been fully comfortable with it. I could easily be wrong, but it was over 10 years ago and I still feel weird about it.

You're not wrong. That was a shockingly vile thing to ask you. The only reason a man would ask for the position you were in when you were raped is if he is aroused by the thought of it and wants details for his fantasies about it. This is reason enough to get the hell away from him as fast as you can.

Alex Drake · 21/10/2024 02:51

Another incident: We had been planning a short break for a while, and he told me to go ahead and book it for any weekend that was free for me. I surprised him last week by booking our favourite place and told him the dates, then he went quiet. After a bit of prodding he told me he had arranged to visit a friend on the day we'd depart. He visits this friend several times per month, only a few miles up the road, and they tend to just listen to music together and chat. It wasn't an important meeting and could have been rescheduled for any day that following week, so seemed a bit out of character.
He was visibly annoyed and said he would come down the following day on a train!

This stood out to me OP, who is this person and could they have more baring than a 'friend' ?

GoldenLegend · 21/10/2024 03:36

I would also wonder about the nature of his relationship with this friend who’s so important to him.

VaddaABeetch · 21/10/2024 03:39

A bit of a coincidence that he was available any day but then wasnt when you booked?

He’s showing you contempt. There’s no coming back from contempt.

I’m very concerned that he’s physically hurting you, you need to get away from him.

Talulahalula · 21/10/2024 07:39

You are correct to have the ducks quacking. He’s getting off (literally or metaphorically) on causing you pain, wrong-footing you, demeaning you and from your distress and sexual assault. The thing that stood out to me was him ramping up the nasal noises to get a response.
The poster who said he won’t leave until he has another woman to go to is correct; which also means that if at all possible, he will still try and make you respond after you have left. It is good that you rent (I read this last night so I think that is what you said), have no children in common and can move far away from him.
I would do as much preparation without him knowing and make sure someone else in real life knows what you are doing.

Channellingsophistication · 21/10/2024 08:28

This feels so sinister and chilling. This man’s behaviour is very cruel. I’m glad you are making future plans to leave but he must not know what you are doing. I hope you can leave soon

Circumferences · 21/10/2024 09:00

I am also suspicious of this friend, that combined with his lack of performance with you... Could he be gratified elsewhere?

You're not still going on this trip are you?

DucklingSwimmingInstructress · 21/10/2024 09:36

Slowly take your most valued possessions, sentimental or practical, out of the house to a friends. Most valued first, as once he twigs the other things might be 'accidentally' damaged / disappear.

Is there anyone irl you can keep informed?

AppleWhiskers · 21/10/2024 21:34

Sorry I was absent.
I must insist though that the friend is an old one of ours and a completely regular guy. He has been through some tough stuff and at the moment has a GF with breast cancer and is awaiting heart surgery himself. He is a good person and nothing remotely like my DP.
My DP only bothers with him because he can help him with his work.
My DP doesn't have regular friendships, only people who he can work with or who can help him with his projects.

Aside from this, I have been shocked that so many of you think I am in imminent danger. I also appreciate it very much, and am taking it seriously.
I have never felt in danger, apart from psychologically, and do feel that I am growing stronger in this regard as time goes by.

I would definitely have just melted back into it at one time, conversing with him and forgetting my pain, but I have been 'awake' to it now for too long. I have been plotting and growing my courage, and can actually say that I despise the fucker.
I won't rock the boat, there isn't any need to, and I don't think conflict is useful. But I am absolutely determined to get out, and to build a new life.
Everyone and everything I come into contact with that is connected to him is like bad news for me. It has taken me years to admit and process this.

Thank you, so very much.

OP posts:
AppleWhiskers · 21/10/2024 21:40

As for turning to friends, I have recently had to distance myself from my only family member, and my close friend. Anyone else that I am close to lives at a good distance.
I am going to have to begin from ground zero, and am finally prepared to do it.

I have a good bit of money, but am thinking of trying to find a job somewhere far away and interesting, not being picky, and maybe with accommodation. This might be crap work for the mean time, but will do me for 6 months.
Not at all sure yet, but could also just sort things out after finding a place. I haven't decided which option is best.

I appreciate that as we rent I will have to just bite my lip and get moving, with a view to moving upwards later. Thanks to him I literally gave up my entire past, my opportunities and the wonderful privileges my family and education afforded me.
I took on his lifestyle and accepted much less:(

I have to accept and be responsible for where I am and start from the bottom. I have a great job but will need to supplement my income to live alone in this economy. And I am prepared to do it.

OP posts:
goody2shooz · 21/10/2024 22:06

@AppleWhiskers so glad to hear you sounding so determined to get out of your current situation. Start now but leave in totally in the dark as to your plans. As pp have said, ensure all your important documents and belongings are safe from him. I hope you can find somewhere to live very very soon so you can rebuild your life in peace, away from this nasty piece of work.

AutumnFroglets · 21/10/2024 22:09

Fighting talk OP, and I'm very pleased to hear it Flowers

You say you might move away - you could find another job, possibly in a cheaper area, and live in a long term Airbnb, or pay for a longer stay at a travel lodge for reduced rates whilst you find a decent rental rather than house first, work second. Would that work?

I have recently had to distance myself from my only family member, and my close friend.
That is concerning. Is it because he has convinced you they aren't good for you (a form of abuse), or do they think he is the best thing ever?

AppleWhiskers · 21/10/2024 22:44

It sounds tragic but I have wondered about live in accommodation in a tourist area, especially a national park. Kind of shit but it would supplement my income well and give me a start as opposed to paying a ton up front for a long term renatal.

I don't know, am prepared to go either way as can afford the bridge.

All that I do know is that I want to get far away from here. Every time I go further afield I gain confidence and meet interesting people. It isn't just my DP who limits me, we live in such a horrid little place that he would never, ever leave.

OP posts:
Talulahalula · 21/10/2024 22:50

I don’t think there is anything tragic about doing what you want, especially when you have already given many years of your life to someone who does not value you.
I think you may need some Mary Oliver
https://hellopoetry.com/poem/5249/the-journey/
maybe you already have this one, but it’s good for stepping into the unknown of a new life, especially on your own.

The Journey by Mary Oliver

Click to read the poem and comment...

https://hellopoetry.com/poem/5249/the-journey

BabyCloud · 21/10/2024 22:53

He sounds like a lunatic who is slyly abusing you.

TheShellBeach · 21/10/2024 23:07

He has never been particularly violent, apart one or two small incidents many years ago which were during a time of terrible stress

Any violence is unacceptable.

But it's the psychological torment which is chilling.

I agree with PP that this man is dangerous for you.

You need to get away. Soon.

Catgotthecreamandthesalmon · 21/10/2024 23:30

Quite honestly, I would be leaving at the first opportunity. I agree with others that this man sounds like a psychopath. He’s dangerous. Have you got somewhere safe you could go if you just left tomorrow? Can you take a day off work and just go? I would tell someone I trust what’s going on too, just in case things turn nasty. Write it all down and give it to someone to give to the police if necessary? I’m not being over dramatic, he sounds seriously unhinged.

Catgotthecreamandthesalmon · 21/10/2024 23:36

The only reason a man would ask for the position you were in when you were raped is if he is aroused by the thought

This makes me wonder if this why he has ED. Perhaps violence is his aphrodisiac. Just a thought.