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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:
Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 14:21

Ansjovis · 14/07/2025 14:18

He doesn't secretly hate you, he just hates you. He's really not trying very hard to hide it from what you've said here. He is using your panic attacks to make you feel like you have to accept his aggression, his moods, his control. Like you should be grateful to him for putting up with you.

The most important lesson I have learnt about relationships: if the bad times are bad enough to leave you an emotional wreck, it does not matter how good the good times are. He could give you a million pounds a day but if he is destroying your mental health it's not worth it.

He was obsessed with me and wanted to marry me when I wasn't really interested. When I accepted him he stopped chasing.
When we married he became uninterested. Basic love and affection seemed like a chore from him. The past couple years he's super affectionate and loving. He holds me and comforts me when I'm upset.
He just has explosive outbursts randomly and when i speak about what he's done.

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

OP posts:
Trickedbyadoughnut · 14/07/2025 14:23

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 14:21

He was obsessed with me and wanted to marry me when I wasn't really interested. When I accepted him he stopped chasing.
When we married he became uninterested. Basic love and affection seemed like a chore from him. The past couple years he's super affectionate and loving. He holds me and comforts me when I'm upset.
He just has explosive outbursts randomly and when i speak about what he's done.

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

Ah. Classic lovebombing 😔

Newnameformenow · 14/07/2025 14:25

"He became more n more aggresive. It escalated. He got in my face. He threw something at the car screen it cracked."

I'm not surprised you felt panicked after this, that would be a normal reaction to a very stressful scenario.

Is there anyone you see face to face , a friend you can speak to ? You sound to be in a very vulnerable situation.

I would move forward with counselling for yourself, call it ' for your panic attacks' if you like but use it to discuss how you feel about your life and relationship and what you would like to happen next. As long as you arrange it via your GP or via a recognised body, it will be confidential, he will never know what is discussed.

cordeliavorkosigan · 14/07/2025 14:26

I think you should read "Why does he do that?".
Abusive people like to be with someone for the control, the company, the housework, whatever even if deep down, they hate that person. There are sadly a lot of abusive men out there. They don't actually love their partners and treat them with that love. But of course they want to stay with those partners and continue to control and abuse them.
People stay with people they don't love for all sorts of other reasons too.

Ansjovis · 14/07/2025 14:27

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 14:21

He was obsessed with me and wanted to marry me when I wasn't really interested. When I accepted him he stopped chasing.
When we married he became uninterested. Basic love and affection seemed like a chore from him. The past couple years he's super affectionate and loving. He holds me and comforts me when I'm upset.
He just has explosive outbursts randomly and when i speak about what he's done.

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

Honestly I think some men get a kick out of knowing they can pull your strings. He knows exactly what to say and do to get you back in that state of fear, then he knows exactly what to say and do to bring you out of it again. He is in control, he can start a new cycle of this whenever he wants. He's got a lot of power and he's enjoying it.

Ask yourself this: has he ever had any of these outbursts aimed at another man? Any issues at his work? I'm willing to bet he hasn't, which means that he can control it around you, he's just choosing not to.

Another thing I've learnt about men is that it is a waste of time trying to rationalise it when you experience poor behaviour. If you are looking for the point when you can understand why, it will never come. It's better if you can to accept that you deserve better, accept that you will never get him to admit he is being abusive and move on.

TwistedWonder · 14/07/2025 14:28

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 14:21

He was obsessed with me and wanted to marry me when I wasn't really interested. When I accepted him he stopped chasing.
When we married he became uninterested. Basic love and affection seemed like a chore from him. The past couple years he's super affectionate and loving. He holds me and comforts me when I'm upset.
He just has explosive outbursts randomly and when i speak about what he's done.

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

Because he’s a gaslighting abuser who love bombed you and enjoys the control he has over you

Thats not love , that’s not even like, it’s contempt . You’re his possession to pick up and put down for his in amusement

I can’t understand why you knew from early on this man triggered your anxiety and yet you chose to not only continue in a relationship with him, you married him. Your anxiety is screaming at you and you’re not listening.

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 14:29

mindyourhead78 · 14/07/2025 11:54

Kindly op- why are you with him? xXx

I love him. He is affectionate and loving and warm. He's caring. I've always thought it was forever.

We both were immature and have been through toxic phases. I feel guilty for what I've put him through with my extreme panic attacks and toxic behaviour, and I'm making excuses for his now I guess.

He's always had anger issues and I try to see the good in him.

He never used to not speak to me for days and has only started this behaviour recently.

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 14/07/2025 14:32

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

So that he can bully and abuse you.

Have you got any DC?

ManchesterGirl2 · 14/07/2025 14:33

You should not save your marriage. He is abusive and dangerous and has refused to go to therapy.

Seek support and get divorced.

TwistedWonder · 14/07/2025 14:35

I love him. He is affectionate and loving and warm. He's caring. I've always thought it was forever.

In-between being a complete and utter cunt - it’s such a classic cycle of abuse. You can’t see it because you’re trapped in that cycle

PolyCat · 14/07/2025 14:36

Read the writing on the wall: you’re in an abusive marriage. The number of red flags is insane! Everything you described about the two incidents screams toxic and abusive.

BeesAndCrumpets · 14/07/2025 14:36

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 14/07/2025 13:50

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

I sometimes think I'm on a different planet to posters like this cos I have no idea how they've come up with this opinion.

Have a word with yourself Iris.

HARD AGREE - What on earth???!?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/07/2025 14:40

What did you learn about relationships when you were growing up?.

Did no one ever teach you the only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is none.

Stop trying to see the good in him and see him for what he really is - your abuser.

All the words you write are all those an abused person writes. When he is nice to you is really the nice/nasty cycle of abuse which is a continuous one.

If you do not get away from him he will
continue to destroy you from the inside out. You have done nothing wrong here; his abusive behavior towards you is all on him. Find a local form of solicitors and seek legal advice re divorce. What he shows you is not love but control and abuse is about power and control.

Endofyear · 14/07/2025 14:44

Your relationship sounds pretty dysfunctional to be honest. I suspect your panic attacks would stop if you left him. You say he's 'loving and caring' but the behaviour you describe is cruel and abusive. Take off the rose tinted spectacles and see this for what it is.

Trickedbyadoughnut · 14/07/2025 14:53

Were you really toxic and immature or is that what he says?

And as you say you didn't have panic attacks until you were with him and he was verbally abusive, then no, you haven't "put him through" anything by having panic attacks - but that fact that he has made you think this is definitely another form of abuse

HotAndSweatyButNotBetty · 14/07/2025 14:53

What do you want from this thread? Realistically what could happen on this thread that would make a difference in your relationship.

A) People point out your faults and you have to completely change who you are (big reveal....this would make you more miserable)
B) people point out his faults...(big reveal.....he won't change and would be unhappy if you could make him do so)
C) people point out what a dysfunctional relationship you have and you decide to leave and have a happier life

You have choices here. No magic wands

caringcarer · 14/07/2025 14:58

This man sounds like he has an aggression issue. He is controlling and it sounds like you are afraid of him. Let him leave. You will be happier with out him. You can't live your life stepping on eggshells wonderful when he will explode again.

MoveOverToTheSea · 14/07/2025 15:02

@Olivecornfly having panic attacks is NOT SHOWING TOXIC BEHAVIOUR.
(sorry for shouting there)

Screaming in the face if your partner, having them walking in eggshell, refusing to communicate etc etc… IS toxic behaviour.

Luckyingame · 14/07/2025 15:05

Fuck this bastard.
I'm sorry you are in this situation with him at the moment.
Only live with a man (joy), if he makes your already good life better, in more than one aspect.

Tennislives · 14/07/2025 15:09

What an absolutely toxic abusive marriage.
Tell your family.
Contact Women's aid.
Get away from him.

Mmhmmn · 14/07/2025 15:25

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.

It's his duty not to behave like that.

Your brother should have come to get you, not left you to be picked up by a madman. Does he not know what an angry nutter your husband is?

Are your panic attacks caused by him? It seems like they are.

And he gives you an allowance? Fuck that, OP. You'd be so much better off without him. Are you ready to leave him?

Pashazade · 14/07/2025 15:28

Your panic attacks started when you met him. Your words, read it again. Your panic attacks started when you met him.
Leave, this relationship is not healthy, it is quite literally the cause of a debilitating condition. Stop making excuses he isn’t nice, or kind, it’s a shit sandwich. Leave.

Mmhmmn · 14/07/2025 15:31

I don't understand why he would want to be with me if he hates me?

Well let me guess - does he get his dinners made, his house cleaned, his clothes washed, company of an evening? There's no great mystery to it. Some men just want a maid and some want one who's also their emotional punchbag because they can't communicate or manage their emotions, and when they're unhappy with their situation they get angry and scared at the thought that above all, they simply can't choose to go it alone because then they'd either have to be responsible for themselves or start over with a new partner maid.

He may threaten to leave you but he doesn't mean it - he's just saying it to scare you. You should be so lucky, OP. You need to get to a place where you would welcome that. When you no longer give a fuck about his threats to leave, his power will disappear. Do contact Women's Aid.

unsync · 14/07/2025 15:45

To answer your original question, your marriage is over and probably should have been the first time this happened.

Your husband is abusive. Do not have couples therapy, it's not suitable when your are in an abusive relationship.

Your anxiety, panic attacks and metal health will improve without him in your life.

DrowningInSyrup · 14/07/2025 15:54

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