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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 left, Finally.

212 replies

Muddlethroughmam · 02/01/2026 06:21

That's it really, He left.

After a few years of constantly threatening to leave me, Me playing into it begging him to stay. Apologizing for anything and everything to convince him to stay. Putting up with so much of what I now know is emotional abuse (I was put in touch with Women's Aid) I constantly questioned if I was a horrible person that deserved everything. I said to him the next time you verbally abuse me will be the last time, And it was. The problem here is that in turn I became verbally abusive, I said horrible unforgivable things, Because I didn't want him to forgive me, I wanted him to leave.

We would have a disagreement, I would get the silent treatment for up to a few weeks - He would then finally talk to me and make me guess what I had done wrong, And I would, I would wrack my brain and try and think of things that might have upset him and he would agree with every one and then say nope keep guessing, It used to go on for hours.

He would take my mode of transportation away from me at the drop of a hat (Rural)

Refuse to contribute financially because I didn't deserve it.

Shine lights in my face to prevent me from sleeping.

Shout at me and intimidate me but then say it's not like I'm hitting you

He would sent me pages and pages of messages listing my faults and how I was responsible for the relationship failing.

He would tell me constantly that I needed to go to the doctors because I was mentally unwell and needed help because it was impacting our relationship.

He became sexually abusive recently (Not R. But very unwanted touching etc and then anger when I asked him not to) and I think that was the final straw for me, I'm not sure why this pushed me over the edge but I think I can pinpoint it to that.

I haven't stopped shaking since yesterday afternoon, Feel sick and worried, He took our car which leaves me a bit screwed. But apart from that which I think I have sorted I definitely feel lighter and relieved.

I don't know what the point in this post is really, But it's over and he's gone. I don't know how to move on, I don't know how to forgive myself for the things I have said. Awful horrible vitoral. I became him in that moment yesterday and I scared myself. I can't ever go back.

The house is mine and he doesn't have and can't copy keys, All of the bills etc are in my name so we are now completely separate.

OP posts:
ThreeLocusts · 03/01/2026 10:04

OP, just to say congratulations that you're rid of this prick, and determined not to take him back. Don't blame yourself for fighting back, if stooping to his level is what got rid of him it was worth it. You won't make a habit of it.

It's odd how you leave behind a traumatising upbringing determined never to fall into any of those patterns, and then somehow you end up in patterns that aren't the same but not exactly better either (speaking from my own experience). Thank god you don't have a kid with him. It's normal to be scared of being alone, but I've seen lots of people get used to it.

I wish you a happy 2026, self-determined and free from abuse. You've got something to be proud of for getting out of this situation.

Allergictoironing · 03/01/2026 10:07

Muddlethroughmam · 02/01/2026 15:15

Thank you all for your supportive comments.

Just discovered that before he left he destroyed a couple of very special keepsakes of mine. Irreplaceable, Sentimental items that I'll never get back. I think this tops it all, To have full awareness of the level of pain this would cause and to do it anyway.

To have full awareness of the level of pain this would cause and to do it anyway.

Keep in your mind that it's exactly WHY he did it, because he fully understood how much pain it would cause you and it was his way of "punishing" you - by causing you the maximum amount of emotional pain he could.

Also remember that nowadays by law domestic abuse isn't just physical, it includes things like controlling behaviour and emotional abuse. By destroying items he knew you valued that much emotionally in itself means he broke the law apart from all the other abuse - him saying it wasn't physical means nothing these days.

Howwilliknow122 · 03/01/2026 10:07

Make sure your name and address is taken off any paperwork if its in your name and hes driving it. Good luck for the rest of it op. Sounds like your heading in the right direction!! Xx

ScruffMuffin · 03/01/2026 10:08

What an abusive arsehole. He is absolutely horrendous, and has been brainwashing yoi to make you think you're in the wrong. It's him; it was always him.

You've done so, so well, and amazingly have a car sorted already! 😍So, congratulations on changing your life for the better, and on losing c.10-15 stone of unwanted weight that was holding you down.

lifeonmars100 · 03/01/2026 10:13

OP I am in awe of you, your intelligence, courage, perceptiveness and humanity. Hoping that as 2026 goes by and all the years that follow it find you living in peace and growing stronger. You deserve only good things.

Imanautumn · 03/01/2026 10:17

You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about he deserved everything you said to him and more. It has been building up inside of you for years due to his treatment. He absolutely deserved to be told some home truths, do not feel bad, feel brave, proud and strong but never guilty.

Sunflowers67 · 03/01/2026 10:21

Remember that scene from 'The Sound of Music' - where the family are stood on the stairs waving? "So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen....etc etc"

Well done and all the best for 2026.

EstherGreenwood63 · 03/01/2026 10:23

Hi OP. What a tough time you are having. 💐 There is SO much good news though. You have been abused horribly for a LONG time. You have broken free. You're amazing. Revel in that feeling of being lighter and relieved. I am actually really happy for your future which is, in fact, your right now.
Keep leaning on your friends and posting here if it helps. WELL DONE YOU! 👏🏼💪🏼

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 03/01/2026 10:33

Muddlethroughmam · 03/01/2026 08:51

Thank you again for all the support.

I'm looking forward to starting a fresh with my DS (Not his)

Something also clicked that he's been trying to convince me to have a baby for the last 6 months or so. I think he knew I was getting fed up. I can't even imagine the level of control he would exert with his own child joining us both together. Thankful that DS has been away for this entire period. Sorted some counseling for him as although I feel I've protected my child as best as I can no doubt everything has been picked up on and then some.

Abusive men absolutely use children as a means of abuse. Mumsnet emojis offer a middle finger instead of a thumbs up, so 🖕to him and 👏to you for sticking to your contraceptives.

FlamboyantlyIncognito · 03/01/2026 10:35

Would it be too difficult to move (it might take time of course)?

Theseventhmagpie · 03/01/2026 10:40

Good riddance to him OP. Stay strong and start your recovery.
Best wishes

Mumof2heroes · 03/01/2026 10:42

Please let go of the guilt you are feeling. You had to go to that dreadful place in order to save yourself and move on from this despicable man. Well done OP you will have a brilliant future and be stronger and more resilient than you'd ever imagine. Do not engage further with this piece of garbage and have a great life 👏🙌

GrimpeursDelight · 03/01/2026 10:53

Best of luck to you @Muddlethroughmam. It's a gloriously sunny day here so it seems fitting for the start of your new life.

Sahara123 · 03/01/2026 11:02

Wow you’ve had a really bad time haven’t you. I’m so glad he’s gone, it’s completely understandable that you would this one time say nasty things back. Presumably he’s been doing that for years. Wishing you peace and happiness for the future.

Wheresthebeach · 03/01/2026 11:10

Well thank God for that. Do not let him back, keep up with the therapy and look forward to a lovely life without endless abuse. Stay on MN for support and chat, it's an amazing place to support women.

myhaggisblewup · 03/01/2026 11:13

Congratulations on a fresh start in your life OP and well done for finding your voice.
I't's going to be hard at first because you did the right thing and ripped the plaster off, going to hurt for a short while but then you start to feel better. Each new day is a step away from the past, in a months time, 3 months, 6 months things will be different again. Been there done that like so many Mners, it does get easier.
You will be doing what you want, when you want from now.
Happy new year and best wishes to you for 2026 💐

SweetnsourNZ · 03/01/2026 11:13

Congratulations on freeing yourself from this monster OP. I hope you can move on and enjoy the rest of your life. Are you going to continue counseling? I think this would be a good idea. Also the sexual abuse is concerning to me as it seems to be like an abuse escalation and would certainly have done damage to you emotionally. Would you consider reporting this to Police, even if you don't want to action a charge right now? This would definitely be something to talk to a counselor about.

BetterDays2223 · 03/01/2026 11:27

Wow OP, aside from being rural this was my exact life until 4 years.
What you described is reactive abuse, don’t be hard on yourself: that was all real and A LOT.

I’m glad you are in therapy, keep talking and write when you can’t talk.

Breathe. It’s a journey but you will come back to becoming a greater version of yourself

💝

BetterDays2223 · 03/01/2026 11:30

To those saying report to police, yes, so that. You must have some padding (support from loved ones) before you do as it’s an incredibly emotionally and mentally draining process

paddyclampster · 03/01/2026 11:34

Well done OP! You’re stronger than you think!! What a ghastly man he sounds. Make sure he can’t contact you at all!

Frugalgal · 03/01/2026 11:39

Muddlethroughmam · 02/01/2026 06:21

That's it really, He left.

After a few years of constantly threatening to leave me, Me playing into it begging him to stay. Apologizing for anything and everything to convince him to stay. Putting up with so much of what I now know is emotional abuse (I was put in touch with Women's Aid) I constantly questioned if I was a horrible person that deserved everything. I said to him the next time you verbally abuse me will be the last time, And it was. The problem here is that in turn I became verbally abusive, I said horrible unforgivable things, Because I didn't want him to forgive me, I wanted him to leave.

We would have a disagreement, I would get the silent treatment for up to a few weeks - He would then finally talk to me and make me guess what I had done wrong, And I would, I would wrack my brain and try and think of things that might have upset him and he would agree with every one and then say nope keep guessing, It used to go on for hours.

He would take my mode of transportation away from me at the drop of a hat (Rural)

Refuse to contribute financially because I didn't deserve it.

Shine lights in my face to prevent me from sleeping.

Shout at me and intimidate me but then say it's not like I'm hitting you

He would sent me pages and pages of messages listing my faults and how I was responsible for the relationship failing.

He would tell me constantly that I needed to go to the doctors because I was mentally unwell and needed help because it was impacting our relationship.

He became sexually abusive recently (Not R. But very unwanted touching etc and then anger when I asked him not to) and I think that was the final straw for me, I'm not sure why this pushed me over the edge but I think I can pinpoint it to that.

I haven't stopped shaking since yesterday afternoon, Feel sick and worried, He took our car which leaves me a bit screwed. But apart from that which I think I have sorted I definitely feel lighter and relieved.

I don't know what the point in this post is really, But it's over and he's gone. I don't know how to move on, I don't know how to forgive myself for the things I have said. Awful horrible vitoral. I became him in that moment yesterday and I scared myself. I can't ever go back.

The house is mine and he doesn't have and can't copy keys, All of the bills etc are in my name so we are now completely separate.

You have nothing to forgive yourself for, apart from allowing this monster to abuse you for far too long. You need to be congratulating yourself on finally getting the good sense to free yourself from a torturer.

What is critically important now is that you do not allow yourself to be drawn back in by him or by another damaged freak show like him. You must learn to be happy and fulfilled on your own - get counselling if you possibly can and stay away from men until you are no longer vulnerable. Abusers can identify potential victims from miles off.

I hope you have the free and happy 2026 you finally gifted yourself!

Dietday · 03/01/2026 11:46

I really think you should talk to the police about his abuse, sexual assault, and damage to your property.
Coercive control is a crime.
Look it up and see if it applies, I bet it would.

RideTheGoat · 03/01/2026 12:24

You've had lots of replies OP and I haven't read them all so forgive me if I'm echoing.

The first thing I wanted to say is I hope in time you can make peace with yourself for 'becoming the same as him.' Often abused women end fighting back using the same tactics that are used on them.

There's one thing that's playing on my mind. You said you have blocked all lines of communication. It's advised to keep one line open. This may be an email or messaging service that you can set straight to junk mail. Meaning you don't have to see any potential communication from the abuser, but they feel they are still able to get to you. (Awful when written down, I know). Often when the victim fights back and becomes strong; ie ending the relationship, the abusers behaviour escalates. If he can't get hold of you, he may become angry and unpredictable. I'm not meaning to worry you, it's just that his tactics might change now you have become wise to his ways of controlling you, and that's what it's all about for him - control. You've taken his power away and this may rile him. Allowing one type of communication (even if it goes straight to junk mail, even though he doesn't know it does) makes him feel he still has some power. Frustrating I know. This is off the back of you saying he destroyed some of your sentimental belongings.

I'm glad you have ordered a ring door bell and you've been brave enough to leave this relationship. May 2026 be good to you.

Best of luck. 🤍

Muddlethroughmam · 05/01/2026 13:37

My child now knows about the situation, Didn't take it well at all, It was so much worse than I was expecting.
I'm not sure how to deal with this 😭

OP posts:
Enrichetta · 05/01/2026 14:34

Can you elaborate - what actually happened?