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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

Husband abandoned me in another town. Can our marraige be saved?

85 replies

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 10:57

Backstory: husband & I had an argument 2 yrs ago in a car out of town, when our arguments were v toxic. He was being aggresive, shouting, which got me scared. I began crying, told him I don't want to be near him & got out. I walked away in a state of panic, he tried to find me in his car. He called me. I told him to leave me alone I don't feel comfortable sitting with him. He told me to get in car, I refused. I said I'll make my own way home I'm scared of you, so he left me 2 hours away from home.
When back, he was fuming, saying I broke his trust, he can't take me anywhere. It's his duty to bring me home. I apologised profusely, said I was wrong for running away, I promised I'd never do that again.

We made an agreement that if I have a panic attack in the car, I need to step out to breathe. He agreed, adding that I should tell him how much time I need.

Fast forward 2 years. I've never made the same mistake again.

We've been in a good place for months, very loving, affectionate.
I sensed distance from him for a few days. We went out of town and he asked what's wrong. I said I was anxious, feeling paranoid he's up to something. He became angry, shouting that he's sick of me bringing it up. He became more n more aggresive. It escalated. He got in my face. He threw something at the car screen it cracked. I had a panic attack. He sped off. I begged him to let me out, I can't breathe. He refused. I pleaded, he refused. I told him its for my health I cant breathe. He refused. Until finally just before letting me out he asked "how long?"- I couldn't answer I needed air, I stepped out. He shouted "were done, u chose this, never come back" people were walking by. And he sped of leaving me with my phone still In his car. No money.

I waited for 40mins trying to calm down. Thinking he'll come back. Shocked he'd actually left me. I found a stranger using their phone asked my brother for a lift, he rang my husband n told him to pick me up.
He came back with no choice as he didn't want to answer to my brother.
He told me it was all my fault. I chose to break our agreement.
I told him he's aware of my panic attacks, I can't think logically or respond. He called me manipulative.
He blames me fully. I said what if something happened, you broke my trust. He said I dont care, you left.
He told me not to speak to him. It is now day 4 and not a single word.
I said I dont have any support, I need to speak to my family. He said if I do, he will leave me.

I don't understand how he could explode,switch in one instance, after months of happiness. I don't understand how he could leave me to fend for myself turn off all care and empathy for me.

Idk what to do.I'm blaming myself bc my panic attacks used to be terrible for yrs of our marraige they affected him a lot. Better control over them now and have them rarely. But they're always triggered in our arguments by the way he acts.

He comes from a toxic family. His father has always verbally abused his mum. They are controlling and Inconsiderate people.
He refuses therapy.

OP posts:
myplace · 14/07/2025 11:02

Sweetie this is no way to live. Your mental health will be much better without him. I’m really sorry your brother sent your abuser to pick you up, what was he thinking? Is this normal in your family as well? Are you supposed to put up with it?

Please don’t.

HabberdasheryAddict · 14/07/2025 11:02

This relationship is toxic. What is stopping you from ending it?

Are your panic attacks entirely related to him or are there other factors?

what have you tried to get help - have you talked to your GP, taking meds, had counselling? If you haven’t, I would urge to do so.

And read WHY DOES HE DO THAT - free pdf online. Also talk to Women’s Aid.

CassieAusten · 14/07/2025 11:02

No, leave. He's horrible. He's not spoken to you for four days!

[Edited because pressed post too soon.] The whole thing is abuse but the not speaking to you is trying to get you begging his forgiveness and him firmly in control. That alone is a red flag before you even get to everything that led up to it.

And he doesn't see any issue with any of this, no need for therapy etc. He may be a product of his own toxic family but that doesn't mean it's ok to continue the toxicity with you.

Billybagpuss · 14/07/2025 11:04

Did you post about this at the time? I remember a thread which stemmed from husbands aggression, the overwhelming result was why are you with him?

you need to remember this is not your fault,
if he refuses therapy to work on it then you control the situation the only way you can. You leave.

MemorableTrenchcoat · 14/07/2025 11:06

You end the relationship, it’s as simple as that.

GoldDuster · 14/07/2025 11:06

He refuses therapy.

How about you?

NameChangedOfc · 14/07/2025 11:13

Leave this violent, abusive, awful bully. Life is Good: don't let the damned take away your light.
Seek help: therapy, Women's Aid, family, friends, collegues, neighbours. You don't have to do this alone, but you do have to do it: you have to leave this relationship. Your panic attacks are a signal from your body: you know this man is dangerous. Leave him.

Parky04 · 14/07/2025 11:43

GoldDuster · 14/07/2025 11:06

He refuses therapy.

How about you?

Exactly. She is not innocent in all this. They are just not suited and should have split many years ago!

GoldDuster · 14/07/2025 11:48

Parky04 · 14/07/2025 11:43

Exactly. She is not innocent in all this. They are just not suited and should have split many years ago!

Not so much from an innocent/guilty point of view, but there's a lot in there about him and his behaviour and not so much about why OP chooses this for herself.

BeltaLodaLife · 14/07/2025 11:51

I might be totally wrong here but did you write a thread at the time? I remember something very very similar and after lots of posts, it came out that you were both at fault and both just quite shitty to each other. Initially, it sounded like it was all him but it’s actually both of you. He is abusive and dangerous and nothing excuses that. You are also abusive and shitty to him. Basically, you don’t work and need to separate.

I apologise if that’s not you, it could be another poster.

The conclusion is the same though; you don’t work as a partnership and you need to separate. Why are you staying together?

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 14/07/2025 11:53

I’m sure I read this at the time - and everyone told you you were both as bad as each other and needed to split up.

mindyourhead78 · 14/07/2025 11:54

Kindly op- why are you with him? xXx

AnotherGreyMorning · 14/07/2025 11:55

GoldDuster · 14/07/2025 11:06

He refuses therapy.

How about you?

I think the op will need therapy to deal with the distress of her awful abusive h.

Tartanboots · 14/07/2025 11:55

This sounds awful. Why do the 2 of you start arguments in the car far from home, knowing what will happen? It doesn't sound like a good way to live for either of you. Your brother may just want to keep out of it.

Rh0dedenr0n · 14/07/2025 12:35

I was once with a man like this. He will never change. You deserve so much more i promise. Leave now and start valuing your mental health more than a relationship. You'll never look back x

13planets · 14/07/2025 12:38

His behaviour is abusive. Please tell your family - if he leaves, it’s no loss for you. He is sweet sometimes but leaves you always feeling scared he will behave badly again. That will make your anxiety and panic attacks worse.

i wish you all the best, escape this dreadful man and live a better life

NaiceBalonz · 14/07/2025 12:54

"My husband is abusive, what should I do"

Leave.

TwistedWonder · 14/07/2025 12:56

Surely the question isn’t can your marriage be saved but it should be why the fuck am I wasting my life in a toxic abusive shit show farce of a relationship?

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 12:56

I asked him many times to do couples therapy and individual therapy for both of us.
He said I am the only one who needs therapy because of my panic attacks.

OP posts:
Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 12:58

BeltaLodaLife · 14/07/2025 11:51

I might be totally wrong here but did you write a thread at the time? I remember something very very similar and after lots of posts, it came out that you were both at fault and both just quite shitty to each other. Initially, it sounded like it was all him but it’s actually both of you. He is abusive and dangerous and nothing excuses that. You are also abusive and shitty to him. Basically, you don’t work and need to separate.

I apologise if that’s not you, it could be another poster.

The conclusion is the same though; you don’t work as a partnership and you need to separate. Why are you staying together?

Edited

I just made this account today. I've never been on here before so it was not me.

OP posts:
Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 12:59

Parky04 · 14/07/2025 11:43

Exactly. She is not innocent in all this. They are just not suited and should have split many years ago!

I suggested therapy many times. Individual and couples. He refuses any of it. He said we can work it out ourselves. Also that I was the only one who needed therapy for my panic attacks.

OP posts:
AgnesX · 14/07/2025 13:01

It's sounds like this relationship is dead in the water. He seems to have little respect for you and equally to allow his behaviour you don't have much for yourself. And that's not a good place to be.

Have a good think about what he brings to your life - truthfully - and think about your future without him.

IrisPallida · 14/07/2025 13:26

I told him he's aware of my panic attacks, I can't think logically or respond. He called me manipulative.

You are also aware of your panic attacks. They are yours. Why haven't you sought out help for them?

I suggested therapy many times. Individual and couples. He refuses any of it. He said we can work it out ourselves. Also that I was the only one who needed therapy for my panic attacks.

Why haven't you sought out help for your panic attacks?

Why are you making your problem his to solve? That IS manipulative.

MoreChocPls · 14/07/2025 13:42

Why don’t you leave?

EternalLodga · 14/07/2025 13:43

He sounds like an absolute prick.

This part jumped out at me though: "I said I was anxious, feeling paranoid he's up to something". Where did that come from, considering yoi said you had had a few great months leading up to this?

Also, with all this talk of it being his responsibility to bring you home, you calling your bro, him not wanting to answer to your bro: is there a cultural context here too?