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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

He wants a reaction. Why?

23 replies

Shs726 · 14/06/2025 02:32

3 year marriage.
For a whilst, things were decent. I definitely noticed a remarkable change. One day, we had a minor disagreement. His reaction to it was to ignore me all day and disturb my sleep with loud music when he knew I was working nights. This is something he’d done in the past. I told him I’m not putting up with his games. I went out for the day as I was already planning to meet a friend (that was planned a month ago and husband was aware). Normally I would have been upset and cancelled my friend. But this time, I carried on as normal.

When I came home, I noticed he had put the chain on so I couldn’t enter. It was 11pm. I kept asking him to open it, he ignored me. It was only when I said if he doesn’t open it, I’m just going to call the police. Straight away, he opened it. I genuinely didn’t have the energy nor the desire to react and let it be. I asked how his day was and if he wanted something to eat.
He was civil for about 2 minutes.

Then all a sudden he blew up. Start shouting random things at me. Talking about past issues. It’s as if he had built up things that he was finally letting out. He was screaming in my face. Telling me to leave and f* off, he doesn’t care about divorcing me, he’s tired of me.

I listened. After, he finished his rant, I said I’m sorry. (I only apologised as I didn’t know what else to do and had no energy to argue nor was bothered enough to get upset). Nor did I have the energy to leave the house at that hour and be kicked out as I have been in the past. He said it’s okay and became calm.

I’m sitting down. Then he starts saying provocative things. Talking about how married women don’t go on holidays with their friends. He knew for a while I was planning a 2day trip with my best friend. So I asked “would you like me to not go, as I have no issues with cancelling it”. He responded no you do what you want otherwise I’ll be labelled controlling. Then he start saying it’s weird. Even though, throughout our marriage I’ve always said he could go on holidays with his friends. But now all a sudden it’s an issue?

I let him rant. Then I said anyways, I’ll need to go to my mums tomorrow as I need to sort her paperwork out. He then said why didn’t you do that before? I told him I didn’t have time before. Then he start twisting it saying how I don’t care about my mum and I should have prioritised her paperwork instead of going to meet my friend. So I can now see he’s being difficult on purpose, as he’s trying to get a reaction out of me by any means necessary. But I genuinely, have no desire to partake in his games nor want to argue.

Then he goes I want to sleep, so let me sleep. I said okay. He lays on the sofa. I’m sitting quietly just holding my head as I’ve got a headache. He goes I want to be left alone for at least 24 hours, I just want to be alone! I replied okay fair enough. I picked up my bag and keys to leave home and go to my mums for the night so he could have his 24hrs of being alone.
Straight away he got up, start shouting at me. Saying if you leave the house and go to your mums, I will divorce you.
Again, I’m so confused, as he told me to leave him alone. But again no will to argue, so I said okay I’ll go into the other room.

I’m confused as what he wants from me? I haven’t cried nor feel upset. As I don’t think there’s any point to this marriage but I’m just too drained to give him a reaction. I know, I need to get away and end this marriage.
What I want to know is, why is he acting this way? Why for months beg and beg for me to come back? When I do and we start afresh, starts behaving weirdly again? What is he getting out of it?

TLDR/ husband keeps trying to get a reaction. I don’t give it as I’m too tired too. He’s just getting worse. Why is he being like this?

OP posts:
Lindajonesjustcantlivemylife · 14/06/2025 02:39

Because if you leave he can tell all and sundry about how you left him leaving out all the details about his behaviour.
Is it a possibility he could be messing about and got someone waiting in the wings.

Swannsee · 14/06/2025 02:41

Why on earth do you put up with it? Is it better than being on your own, he can't treat you like that if you don't let him that is in your control

AgentJohnson · 14/06/2025 02:43

TLDR/ husband keeps trying to get a reaction. I don’t give it as I’m too tired too. He’s just getting worse. Why is he being like this?

Because he’s an abusive twat and he isn’t getting the compliant/ contrite reaction that he normally gets from you. Diagnosing his behaviour won’t change it, your priority is your sanity and that means putting some distance between you and this poor excuse of a man. Please, please, please take steps for ending the cycle of abuse you are in.

This is who he is and your unhappiness is something he thrives on.

Guavafish1 · 14/06/2025 02:47

What a horrible day for you…

There is nothing you’ve done wrong! There is no justification for his horrible behaviour. He is an awful person.

Im glad you’re leaving. Please leave before he hits you and blames it on you!

Notmyrealname22 · 14/06/2025 03:32

He’s abusing you.
You deserve better.
Please leave and divorce him so you can find out how peaceful life can be without an abusive husband.
Take care, it will be hard but you can do it.

LurkyMcLurkinson · 14/06/2025 03:46

The why doesn’t matter. What matters is getting out of a relationship that will destroy any form of independence or self esteem you have and leave you a shell of who you once were.

cranberryshortcake · 14/06/2025 03:47

Because he’s a sociopath.

YellowGrey · 14/06/2025 03:49

Why are you with someone who treats you like this?

Tangelablue · 14/06/2025 04:51

Have you ever done a Claire's law request on him?
He's acting like this so you don't meet up with friends again, it's not worth the hassle. Are you able to stay at your mum's for a while? Think of the lovely life that's a head of you if he's not in it. I don't think he'll allow the separation to be easy so look into your local domestic abuse service if you need practical and emotional support.

Zanatdy · 14/06/2025 05:55

That’s awful OP. Get out of this marriage, this is no way to live. It’s clear that he won’t change so don’t fall for any of his begging if you leave again. Block him.

RomanticLettuce · 14/06/2025 06:08

Was he drinking or on drugs? He sounds so erratic.
Either way, you really need to pack up and leave he sounds really unhinged ans I'm concerned it could become physical. Contact Women'sAid for advice and support. Don't go back on your own to that house, make sure someone else is with you when you go to collect your things.

RomanticLettuce · 14/06/2025 06:09

He is like this because he is abusive.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 14/06/2025 06:44

He's deranged.

It won't get better.

Please leave and free yourself from this shitshow of a man.

StormRose · 14/06/2025 06:49

You don’t need to know why - you need to leave.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 14/06/2025 06:54

He sounds like an abusive lunatic. I don't understand why you have reacted so passively and even apologised to him! You have done nothing wrong. I don't see how there can be any coming back from this tbh.

TwistedWonder · 14/06/2025 09:32

It almost doesn’t matter why, the fact he dioes is enough to get out now.

Hes a grade A abusive controlling cunt. No one should treat another human being like this.

Please don’t stay married to this disgusting twat. Don’t waste years of your life treating on eggshells and making excuses for a nasty wanker. Don’t be a passive spectator in your own life - take control

SpryCat · 14/06/2025 09:35

He is very abusive, it’s a game, he treats you horrifically to push you away, you leave and he love bombs you back, you move back and it starts again.

Dery · 14/06/2025 09:37

“LurkyMcLurkinson · Today 03:46

The why doesn’t matter. What matters is getting out of a relationship that will destroy any form of independence or self esteem you have and leave you a shell of who you once were.”

This with bells on. Doesn’t matter why he does this. This is sick behaviour and not how a decent guy behaves. This is the behaviour of a man who, deep down, hates you and hates women.

What matters is that he’s horribly abusive and you need out before he destroys you. Hopefully there are no children - it will make the break easier.

Remember - this man will destroy you if you stay with him - emotionally and psychologically if not physically (but perhaps that also). You need to get away.

AgnesX · 14/06/2025 09:42

Whose home is it? If he wants his freedom give him it as sounds like a complete prick (and probably cheating already).

PruthePrune · 14/06/2025 09:44

What are you living arrangements, rented, mortgage? You don't mention children so I am assuming that you don't have any which should make splitting up easier.
Don't tie yourself in knots trying to undertand his behaviour, just leave.

NewBinBag · 14/06/2025 09:47

Normally I would have been upset and cancelled my friend. But this time, I carried on as normal.

This. This is exactly why he's ramped it up.

You have autonomy & a life of your own, & you've shown it here by making a choice which is best for you, rather than continuing to be a supporting character in his life & it's made him shit himself that he's losing control.

There is power in our actions when we ignore their bullshit and it terrifies weak men.

So he's ramped it up because he doesn't have any genuine reasons to be controlling, all he has is intimidation & threats so he doubles them up to keep you scared & in line.

You do not owe him apologies.
You are the central character in your life, not him.
You are entitled to fun and friends.
You dont need his permission.

SpryCat · 14/06/2025 09:53

You enable his abuse because, when he tries to hook you back, you return, as you are desperate for him to be the man you fell in love with. That was a mask, the real him is the one who treats you like shit. He will promise you the earth, once you leave but he won’t ever change.
He discards you and you leave, he bombards you with declarations of love, you return and then it starts again.
You have the power to walk away and see him for what he is, you have the power to walk away and never return and make a new life for yourself.
To choose your happiness and MH over his cycle of abuse, that’s all he can offer you or anyone else.
Please leave, block and move on from his cat and mouse games.

Dery · 14/06/2025 11:27

As PPs have flagged - the lovebombing is part of the abuse. Decent, emotionally healthy guys don’t abuse you and they don’t love bomb you.

The best measure of a good relationship are how things are when you’re stressed, tired and a bit fed up with each other. Not how it is when things are good. Everyone can be lovely when things are going well. When things aren’t going so well with DH, then it’s just a bit meh. There’s no locking me out of the house; haranguing me so I don’t go out with friends; keeping me awake when I need to sleep. Men who do that to women are men who can’t handle having an emotional connection with a woman and who, deep down, don’t like women.

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