Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Can’t work out my ex’s behaviour

26 replies

Beanfry · 04/06/2025 10:35

Name change for this. This may be long as don’t want to drip feed

My partner called time on our relationship end of April. He turned cold and things were very strained between us. We have a complicated entwined life, which has combined finances, business and my teenage son of whom he’s been parenting with me.

To start we said we’d take some time to figure out how we’re feeling, then he wanted to split but would continue living together until we finished some work needed for our business and whilst we sorted our finances out. Then he wanted to move out but continue to be business partners. Then he wanted to split fully and have nothing to do with each other.

Turned out he was messaging someone from work. Work found out, he lost his job.

We had an enormous row, he blamed him losing his job on me. He removed everything from our joint account, took all of his stuff and left me to deal with everything, all finances, all jobs etc. He blocked me and said I’d never see or hear from him again, that he hates me and I’ve ruined his life.

The next day he asked to meet to discuss a few things. Basically told me the above and how things were going to be. He was so off, but then after about 30mins started to soften. He asked if he could come back to the house to grab a couple of bits from outside, and asked for goodbye sex.

The next day he called me a few times, said he feels so down. Seemed like he was checking in to see how I was doing, although he was the one to call me, he never once said anything to suggest he wanted to reconcile. He sent a few texts to say he didn’t want to remove himself from the business and we could work together to sort some of the things that needed sorting, as we’d discussed at the very beginning of this all starting.

That brings us to two days ago, he asked if he could come and stay, but in the spare room. He had some other work yesterday and came and stayed last night, but in the spare room. This morning he said he’d be back again tonight, and has a load of work coming up (which was arranged months ago), that he’ll be away for, but after that he’d like to take some time off and spend some time at home doing stuff to help out. He said he didn’t sleep very well and that he misses me and is being a family, but said it’ll take some time for us all to get used to this new norm and he’s just happy that we’re getting along. All of our bedrooms have ensuites, yet he chose to shower in our shower rather than the spare room. He called me my nickname constantly, gave me a few hugs when he got in, and again this morning, Kissed me on the head a few times and said he’d speak to me during the day.

Not once has he said he wants to give our relationship another go, and I feel his words and actions don’t match. To say I’m confused is an understatement. For the record, I only want to be with someone who is all in and wants to build a life together.

Not sure what I want from this, perhaps other peoples views who are not emotionally involved, on what’s going on here.

OP posts:
WildCats24 · 04/06/2025 10:40

So….he had an emotional affair with a colleague, blamed you, stole your joint savings, wanted sex, walked out, and you are now allowing him to weasel his way back into your life.

Raise your bar, OP.

RealEagle · 04/06/2025 11:02

GOODBYE SEX!!! Fgs he is using you

alcoholnightmare · 04/06/2025 11:10

Oh my god. No. Just, absolutely, completely no.

sesquipedalian · 04/06/2025 11:15

“he asked if he could come and stay, but in the spare room. He had some other work yesterday and came and stayed last night, but in the spare room. This morning he said he’d be back again tonight”

OP, if he’s called time on the relationship, he can’t just waltz back as and when he sees fit - why are you letting him? You say, “I only want to be with someone who is all in and wants to build a life together” - he clear any isn’t. So,change the locks and move on - he seems to have taken not only your money, but a,so your self-respect. You deserve so much better than this, so don’t enable him to do absolutely what he wants on his terms.

S0j0urn4r · 04/06/2025 12:03

I hope to god you didn't agree to the 'goodbye sex'! 🤮
You need to call time on this shit.
Get legal advice. You should be entitled to half the business which is probably why he's spinning things out.
He's already shown he doesn't have your best interests at heart by emptying the joint.
No more staying over. The relationship is done.
Your poor child must be struggling with this so if you can't sort this out for yourself do it for them.

NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 12:14

The good thing is that you have enough feeling that it’s all wrong, to be posting here.
The bad thing is that it’s not blindingly obvious that it’s all wrong!
To recap - he had either some sort of affair - or was just harrassing - someone at work. Thought he had a new relationship so binned you. Then it cost him his job, everything crashed around him so his response was to blame you and steal your money. Now he’s acting like none of it ever happened - and you’re letting him get away with it when you know that he doesn’t care, he’s just using you, he’s not actually interested in taking accountability or getting back together, he’s shown himself to be completely dishonest.
I’ll repeat again: He. Doesn’t. Care.
If you do - you’ll just get hurt and used more.
Sorry, I know it’s hard to emotionally let go, but you need to, don’t allow any contact until you see him for what he is.

Snorlaxo · 04/06/2025 12:14

He’s being crystal clear.

You are good for money, sex and a convenient place to stay.

He is playing with your emotions and using you because he knows that you still love him so can’t say no to him. I hope that you didn’t have goodbye sex with him.

His ideal would be to keep all the money, stay in your spare room, shag you and other women. As you’re in different rooms he can claim that you’re separated and it will be a matter of time before he gets you to agree that he can have “friends” staying in his room.

He’s a one man red flag party who is walking all over you and taking a dump over your feelings. Smart move would be to get him out and get legal advice on getting your money out of his business before he convinces you to give it all to him.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 04/06/2025 20:18

@Beanfry well of course, the next thing you tell him is that he has to put back all the money into the joint account of which you will immediately remove half and change the passwords on all the other accounts!!! dont fall for that old trick of his! he just wants a roof over his head after rejection by his ap!!

Beanfry · 04/06/2025 22:29

I needed some tough love and home truths. The hot & coldness has made me not be able to see the situation for what it is. It’s just so hard to let go fully.

OP posts:
NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 22:47

It’s always hard to let go. But you must. I’m quite a soft old git really and it took me a long time to really accept that the person I loved - was really not a good person, that they only really cared about themselves. Don’t be surprised or ashamed if it takes you time too. Just don’t go back! You’ll just have to start the process all over again.

alcoholnightmare · 04/06/2025 23:06

Is he currently in your spare room @beanfry?

Beanfry · 05/06/2025 07:38

alcoholnightmare · 04/06/2025 23:06

Is he currently in your spare room @beanfry?

He was. He leaves for work until mid July now so I won’t see him again for a number of weeks

OP posts:
allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 05/06/2025 07:43

@Beanfry for goodness sake op!! get him out your spare room and out your house!! he is not entitled to be in the house if he doesnt co own or co rent with you. even for visitation of the kids, I wouldnt allow him in!! cant you see that he is using you???

category12 · 05/06/2025 07:50

Don't let him back.

Get legal advice about the business and if you own the house.

Take the opportunity while he's away, to get your head straight and stop letting him walk over you.

Ideally advise him to look for somewhere else to live. Bag up his stuff and pass it to his family or keep it for him to collect.

category12 · 05/06/2025 07:51

If you own the house together*.

Dery · 05/06/2025 07:59

That must all have been very shocking and distressing. Everything he’s done was deeply shitty but in particular has he replaced the money that he stole from you? Even if he has, he’s using you and needs to be out on his ear.

WakingUpToReality · 05/06/2025 08:09

OP, your post resonated a bit with me. Your ex is so so selfish.

You said:

  • My partner called time on our relationship end of April.
  • He wanted to split but would continue living together for our business and whilst we sorted our finances out
  • He wanted to move out but continue to be business partners.
  • He wanted to split fully and have nothing to do with each other.
  • He blocked me and said I’d never see or hear from him again, that he hates me and I’ve ruined his life.
  • The next day he asked to meet to discuss a few things. Basically told me the above and how things were going to be.
  • He asked for goodbye sex.
  • He asked if he could come and stay, but in the spare room.

So it's all "I want, I want, I want" .... he couldn't even see you as a person who might also want or not want something. Was he like this during your entire relationship?

Of course you move on from him and stay far away. But in the future look after yourself more. Think about what YOU want out of life and your next relationships and never allow another man to be the same with you again. It's disgusting behaviour and I believe as women we put up with this crap far too often. Best of luck.

SamDeanCas · 05/06/2025 08:15

Once he’s left, change the locks in your house.

Email/text him that when he returns from work he needs to find alternative accommodation as he’s no longer welcome into your home (I presume it’s yours and not joint), and any remaining items of his will be bagged up and put on the doorstep on x date or dropped at family etc. the block him on all platforms.

Your next step will be to sort the business out and remove him from every aspect of your life, you have a few months to do this before he returns

TreeDudette · 05/06/2025 11:29

OMG he really has got you figured hasn't he! He is getting everything he wants. A cosy place to lay his head, you to be breathlessly waiting on his decision about your future, the chance to say you aren't together so he can pursue other people...

Find your anger. He has behaved like a TOTAL shit. Throw his loser arse out and raise your bar. And no no no no breakup sex!!

Diarygirlqueen · 05/06/2025 11:39

My God OP this is not nice to read. Your self esteem must be on the floor to accept this behaviour. What makes you think you deserve to be treated like this?
Work on yourself and the first step is to remove this user from your life. Please listen to all the replies.

pikkumyy77 · 05/06/2025 11:41

WildCats24 · 04/06/2025 10:40

So….he had an emotional affair with a colleague, blamed you, stole your joint savings, wanted sex, walked out, and you are now allowing him to weasel his way back into your life.

Raise your bar, OP.

This.

OP stop and reread your own post. This man is awful . Just end it already.

dogcatkitten · 05/06/2025 13:16

Did he put the money back in the joint account? If not he's just playing you for a place to stay and some home comforts. Ask him for your share of the money he took and see what he says.

blacksax · 05/06/2025 14:34

You know that thing on the floor inside your front door? The thing you wipe your feet on? Oh yeah, the doormat.

That is how he is treating you. So while he's gone, change the locks so he can't get at that doormat any more.

Beanfry · 05/06/2025 16:02

Thanks everyone. I could never hurt anyone, so the fact someone can hurt me makes me just want to fix the problem. I’ll read this everytime I’m sad about things

OP posts:
Merseymum1980 · 02/09/2025 12:22

He sounds like a covert narcacist and is keeping you as a back up plan.
He doesn't know what he wants and is playing with your heart.
I sense subconsciously you still love him
,no judgement.
I have a series of crap relationships with narcacists amd am an empath.
Im going to be alone now until I get therapy and time to heal. I suggest the same for you.
Good luck xx