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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

Am I being dramatic?

208 replies

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 20:59

Hi all,
so I was single for 10 years after some pretty awful relationships. I met someone over a year ago and things were good. A few red flags at times which I’ve put down to me looking for things.
On Sunday we went out for drink. It was going great until at the end of the night he took my phone into the toilets and read some of my messages between myself and my best friend. There was something written in there about a friend of mine (who I have slept with years ago, which he knows about and was tears before I met him). All that was written was a joke about me having some of his gym stuff in my garage (which I don't!) I don't talk much to this guy anymore, even though he has been one of my best friends for years, as after my boyfriend found out we had slept together in the past he wasn't happy. His reaction on Sunday night was extreme.
He didn't say anything at first, we just left the pub with him actually a bit strange.
He went to buy food and wouldn't let me wait outside for him, he said 'no, you're coming with me' and pulled me in. We walked down the busy road with lots of people about, him still holding my hand.
When there was no one about anymore he threw my hand away from him and confronted me about the message. I told
him it was a joke but he continued getting angry. He threw his food across the path demanding to know if I still spoke to this guy. I told him 'not really, but that he was still my friend: This is where he lost it. He started shouting at me, calling me a bitch, a c*nt, and a slag': Telling me that we were over. I walked away and told him to walk home and that I'd follow behind.
He apologised a lot and so I started walking with him again. Then he lost it again. He walked ahead and started kicking the metal bollard over and over.
He turned and started walking quickly towards me. I started walking backwards and he said 'yeah you can run' I put my arm out to push him back but he grabbed my arm and started turning me, where I lost my balance and started to fall. I managed to get away and I ran. I hid for a while and he tried calling me about 40 times. I answered and told him I'd be home in a bit. He text me to say he had packed my things and put them in my car.
When I got back he was sat crying. He asked me if there was a way back from
this and I said no. I put his key on the table and I walked away to the front door.
He threw a pint glass against the wall in the room he was in and it smashed everywhere. I went back in to check on him but he told me to get out so I did. I waited in the hallway. I could hear him shouting to himself and smashing things up. He was saying I was manipulative, that I ruined his life and that I deserved the abusive relationships that I'd been in in the past. Things went quiet for a few minutes and then started again so I went back in to tell him someone would call the police if he wasn't quiet. I told him I heard what he said about the fact I deserved the abuse I've had in the past and he laughed. Hysterically laughed and said that I was even making that about me. He then threw his belt across the room and said 'I can't even kill myself properly' and went on to tell me how he had just tried to hang himself with the belt when I left. I ended up staying as I was scared to leave him. In the morning he was very sorry and full of remorse. He said that he tried to hang himself because he knew I couldn't get back in so it wouldn't be me to find him.
He has also told me yesterday that he got into my car and switched on the engine and revved that night when he put my things into the car. (He was very drunk)
We have put this down to him having too much to drink that night but I am concerned and confused.
I'm sorry that that is all very muddled.
Is this just a normal blip that happens in relationships? As it’s kind of what I’m used to in the past. My friend was horrified but I just said it was one of those things.

OP posts:
OiBlin · 30/05/2025 21:17

It’s not a blip. That’s his default setting and what you’re signing up to whenever he feels like it if you stay a moment longer. He’ll ruin everything , every time, forever. He’s dangerous, nasty, abusive, and he doesn’t love you. He hates you. He hates all women. Leave him, block him, never look back and do the freedom programme to save your one, precious life from this nasty little runt.
I went out with one just like it in my early 20s. Managed to break free, get an education, live an amazing life. I have a family who love and cherish me and I love them with all my heart back. No rows, no drama, just love. Go now, don’t look back and reclaim your future xx

GoodEnoughParents · 30/05/2025 21:18

No, this is very clear and plain abuse. Not acceptable and in no way normal.
Do you live together? (Sorry if I missed this)

itsallabouttheorange · 30/05/2025 21:19

Nope, not a blip or anything that happens in a normal healthy relationship.

2024onwardsandup · 30/05/2025 21:20

I would do a Claire’s law application. Block him on everything and call 101 and let the police know you have concerns.

vodkaredbullgirl · 30/05/2025 21:21

Fgs dump him.

BCBird · 30/05/2025 21:22

You are not safe with this man. Protect yourself. You cannot fix him. He needs to get help.

Strategies25 · 30/05/2025 21:23

No this is not normal- it is scary. You don’t live together. Leave him and focus on your own life. You do not need any of this.

him taking your phone into the toilets to read your messages is horrific- let alone any of the rest of it.

BoredZelda · 30/05/2025 21:25

Nope. Leave.

VeryQuaintIrene · 30/05/2025 21:27

A forest of red flags is waving. Please don't see him any more.

LeavesOnTrees · 30/05/2025 21:33

He sounds completely unhinged.
Run away as fast and as far as you can.
Block and never see him again.

Doodledeedum · 30/05/2025 21:37

I haven’t read any other answers because I have to tell you immediately this is NOT normal and NOT a normal blip, GET OUT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:41

GoodEnoughParents · 30/05/2025 21:18

No, this is very clear and plain abuse. Not acceptable and in no way normal.
Do you live together? (Sorry if I missed this)

No we don’t live together. Xx

OP posts:
Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:42

OiBlin · 30/05/2025 21:17

It’s not a blip. That’s his default setting and what you’re signing up to whenever he feels like it if you stay a moment longer. He’ll ruin everything , every time, forever. He’s dangerous, nasty, abusive, and he doesn’t love you. He hates you. He hates all women. Leave him, block him, never look back and do the freedom programme to save your one, precious life from this nasty little runt.
I went out with one just like it in my early 20s. Managed to break free, get an education, live an amazing life. I have a family who love and cherish me and I love them with all my heart back. No rows, no drama, just love. Go now, don’t look back and reclaim your future xx

Sorry to hear you had the same. I’m so glad you are happy now. I’ve had traumatic relationships since I was 18. I question whether it’s my fault. Especially after what happened this week. It really shocked me. Xx

OP posts:
TwistedWonder · 30/05/2025 21:43

JFC - this isn’t a blip or a drunken mistake, he’s a scary, violent, abusive cunt.

The red flags you’ve ignored - they’re real and they’ll get worse.

This man will hurt you physically - run m, ding walk and maybe look at therapy to understand why you’re prepared to forgive this psycho behaviour.

Do a Claire’s Law - this won’t be the first time he’s assaulted a woman.

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:44

2024onwardsandup · 30/05/2025 21:20

I would do a Claire’s law application. Block him on everything and call 101 and let the police know you have concerns.

He just seems so kind in other ways. My best friend thinks he has an ‘unhealthy attachment’ to me. On my one and only night out with her since I’ve known this man (15 months), I forgot to let him know we got home safe, so he walked up and down the street with all the pubs and clubs looking for me ‘to check I was safe’ until I woke up and text him.

OP posts:
LumpySpaceCow · 30/05/2025 21:44

Definitely not normal. It is abusive. Run for the hills.

TwistedWonder · 30/05/2025 21:46

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:44

He just seems so kind in other ways. My best friend thinks he has an ‘unhealthy attachment’ to me. On my one and only night out with her since I’ve known this man (15 months), I forgot to let him know we got home safe, so he walked up and down the street with all the pubs and clubs looking for me ‘to check I was safe’ until I woke up and text him.

He wasn’t checking you was safe ffs, he was checking where you were and who with.

Can you honestly not see the red flag that this controlling and abusive?

Every single thread in here about a fucking repulsive abusing wanker, always says ‘but he’s so kind and sweet and caring’ - it’s part of the cycle of abusive to make you doubt yourself.

thismummyslife · 30/05/2025 21:46

Oh gosh, this is abusive, controlling behaviour, you need to leave before it gets worse! X

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:48

Thank you all for your time in replying to this post. I’m sure I come across as quite stupid to think this would be ok. I’m just in shock as I didn’t expect it. Xx

OP posts:
Mom2K · 30/05/2025 21:48

You have entered another abusive relationship. It is not normal.

He is vile, unhinged, violent and scary.

Anything you do like about him does not overshadow the above.

And when he was smashing things, you should not have gone back in. If he harms or kills himself, it is nothing to do with you and not your responsibility. Your own safety is priority. And often it's just to manipulate you anyway, not that he actually would kill himself. But if he did, that is not for you to try and help him with. He could end up killing you if he is this unhinged.

You need to report him to police and never have anything to do with him ever again.

RelapsedChocoholic · 30/05/2025 21:49

This is not a blip

I’m sorry they did this to you, it’s not your fault - an aggressive, entitled male chose to do this

This person thought it was ok to put their hands on you - this was not ok.

And, previously he wasn't checking you were safe, he was checking you weren’t with another man. He is not kind op.

edit to add- you don’t seem stupid, you seem shocked- his behaviour is shocking, your response is totally understandable. (((Hugs to you from a random stranger)))

gamerchick · 30/05/2025 21:49

Well I'm sure you'll have another thread soon OP about this man. See you then.

Seriously, dump him. He has deep issues and you aren't a rehab.

Serenity21 · 30/05/2025 21:50

TwistedWonder · 30/05/2025 21:46

He wasn’t checking you was safe ffs, he was checking where you were and who with.

Can you honestly not see the red flag that this controlling and abusive?

Every single thread in here about a fucking repulsive abusing wanker, always says ‘but he’s so kind and sweet and caring’ - it’s part of the cycle of abusive to make you doubt yourself.

Edited

You’re right. I know. I need to be strong here. I’d be saying the same to anyone else xx

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 30/05/2025 21:50

The relationship ended last Sunday - surely.

pilates · 30/05/2025 21:50

That’s no blip. He’s an abusive arsehole. Do not go back to him however much he begs.