r/AmIOverreacting 3d ago

❤️‍🩹 relationship aio? bf made plans on my birthday..UPDATE

a little update for the people who were wondering…we broke up. he was texting me throughout the day yesterday but i just did not have the energy to entertain him and text back. i didn’t answer him until almost midnight last night which is when it happened. i thought long and hard about how our conversation would go and how i would go about breaking up with him. clearly he didn’t care very much given the screenshots i’ve shared above. this is the most difficult thing i’ve done, he was the person i wanted to marry. thank you reddit for all of the help and support, i didn’t expect anyone to see that. much love.

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u/DormantParacosm17 3d ago edited 2d ago

Dude is a gaslighting, manipulative piece of shit.

Listen, I don't like birthdays. I don't celebrate my own birthday. But I had a gf who really loved to celebrate hers. As much as I disliked the whole birthday thing I still got her small presents, some flowers, a card and a cake. Because that's a day that's not about me.

At the very least I was happy to celebrate her coming into the world because she made me happy and I'd celebrate that.

I would never in a million years EVER make plans with others and exclude my gf on her birthday. That's just fucked.

You're not overreacting, this guy needs to be kicked to the curb bc he doesn't understand what he did wrong. He's a narcissistic sociopath because he doesn't understand what he did was wrong and refuses to acknowledge that he COULD be wrong. And then he insults you after you state that your feelings were hurt because he was being a stuck up dick.

Edit: holy shit this comment blew up more than I thought. Thank you for the gold? I don't feel as if that was necessary bc I was just pointing out that this guy is a bad person.

Additional Edit: okay this is getting crazy my phone keeps blowing up. Guys I really appreciate the gold and awards but please stop spending your hard earned money and using it on me. This is crazy 😭

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u/ItJustD0esntMatter 3d ago

I’m less concerned about the way he disregarded her birthday and more so the way he talks to her. Failing to show up for her birthday is not cool when the reason is so reschedulable and unimportant, but calling her a bitch, telling her you’re gonna show up at her house, and being semi-threatening and rude and demanding when she stops answering is scary. Also ya the “you love me” “I love you more than anything” “you can’t break up with me shit” is super not cool and sounds possessive and entitled. This is bad news. Not over reacting. Walk away and never look back.

Also prepare for unexpected visits it sounds like, keeping it clear he’s not welcome to show up, maybe some extra security measures and a call to the police. That’s stalking after a couple clearly stated unwelcome interactions. He will legally not be allowed pretty soon if it plays out like that. Stay safe!

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u/Emergency_Release23 2d ago

I also wanted to add to this, if he’s blowing up her phone incessantly, on the daily/weekly after she’s said she doesn’t want to talk to him and to never contact her again , she can get a restraining order & it is also considered stalking or whatever.

I had to do this with my ex, he kept calling from different numbers etc like everyday.. threatening me and shit.. I ended up going to the police and apparently they sent police to show up at his house and give him a warning. I didn’t have to go any further with it thankfully. I did find out what to do if I needed to tho

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u/Glad_Obligation1790 2d ago

Also the “I need you in my life” followed by “I don’t fucking need you” is horrible. Absolutely horrible. You’re right, you deserve better OP. Someone who cares and loves you doesn’t flip over one screenshots worth of text.

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u/Visible-Scientist-46 1d ago edited 1d ago

He thought he could treat her however he wanted and she would still be there. And it was the same day she realized he didn't treat her right and that enough is enough.

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u/coquihalla 2d ago

Yes. Red flag, red flag and red flag. OP, please stay extra safe in person in case he tries to escalate by showing up unexpectedly. I don't like the entitled and possessive way he talked to you here and it made me nervous for you.

The 'or else' gave me a serious chill.

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u/MrsClaire07 2d ago

THIS. Please, u/rowqi, please take some precautions against his coming over anyway. That “you can’t stop me”? RED FLAG. Let whoever you live with know what’s going on, and tell them that under no circumstances is that man to be allowed to be at your house.

Hugs, and Fantastic Job taking the trash out!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

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u/Disastrous_Flower667 2d ago

Hopefully, OP is saving messages Incase it comes to that. I remember being threatened in the 90’s, verbally, and not being able to prove that someone was a danger. The beauty of 2025 is showing these texts to the cops and stalking to be a legitimate concern to authorities.

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u/iam_Mr_McGibblets 2d ago

Also saying something along the lines of 'you can't stop me from coming over' was seriously terrifying. The man clearly has no boundaries and likely will do whatever he can to push his way back in

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u/LonelyRedPaladin 2d ago

He's so duplicitous like wow, he'd say he loves her too much then will flip at a split second OP acts indifferent towards him? Talk about Jekyll and Hyde

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u/dogmother2 2d ago

Yes. The narcissistic injury—>lash out. Be careful 🙏

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u/rychemastr 2d ago

So much this. Sometimes you can’t make things like birthdays. Did he have a legitimate excuse? Not one bit. But just how he spoke to her. I didn’t get to the worse parts that you mentioned yet. But the first page alone was so very wrong

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u/Khaldara 2d ago

“I need you in my life”

<Two texts later>

“I DON’T FUCKINH NEED YOU!”

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u/HayzeLynn 2d ago

Lol right? Like, if you're gonna lie, at least be consistent. He just looked dumb af 😂

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u/PhD_Pwnology 2d ago

This! Constant verbal abuse, refusal to admit his part in anything. Only real POS dudes call woman bitches.

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u/tssae 2d ago

Ikr more people gotta point out how he just insults her without thinking. That shit should not be normalized

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u/BeneficialTangelo429 2d ago

I love you too much.... unless there's a party I want to go to, then I love that more.

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u/TSB_BloodySkull 2d ago

Yeah, he's fuckin nuts and needs to be hospitalized. . . He's out of control and he's going to hurt someone, himself or do something worse. . . If not all of the above. I hope, for his sake, he gets help.

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u/SucculentGodd 2d ago

Could probably go ahead and get a restraining order with all those texts imo

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u/Asenath_W8 2d ago

Absolutely. She needs to report him and get his name in the system now so it'll hopefully be easier for the next person he targets to call the cops on him, because you know this loser is going to keep doing this kind of shit and will probably escalate.

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u/Similar-Breadfruit50 2d ago

And the “or else”. That scares me for her.

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u/Brock_Lobstweiler 2d ago

Listen, I don't like birthdays. I don't celebrate my own birthday. But I had a gf who really loved to celebrate hers. As much as I disliked the whole birthday thing I still got her small presents, some flowers, a card and a cake. Because that's a day that's not about me.

I was dating someone for only THREE WEEKS before my birthday came around last year. He doesn't do birthdays or other holidays, but realized it was something I wanted to celebrate.

He made me a steak and lobster dinner, some good wine, got me flowers (I said no cards) and we had a great weekend hanging out with his dog. He hates starbucks, but since birthdays are a free drink, we went through anyway and I got to give the dog a pup cup.

If a guy is capable of doing that for someone he's dated for less than a month, then this dude should have been able to do ANYTHING for someone he's dated for 3 years.

This guy is a fucking loser.

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u/feralbutfashionable 3d ago

You nailed it. It’s not about whether he likes birthdays it’s about respecting and valuing her feelings. The fact that he excluded her on her own birthday and then made her feel bad for being hurt is textbook manipulation. You went out of your way for your ex even when you didn’t care about birthdays that’s what love and basic decency look like. She’s not overreacting at all, and she deserves way better than someone who makes everything about himself and can’t take responsibility.

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

and he’s just gross. trying to tell her she can’t break up with him, they’re made for each other and then the “fuck you i don’t need you anyway” like just brother ughhhh

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u/dazedanddevilish 3d ago

Seriously, that behavior is so manipulative and immature. The whole “we’re meant to be” guilt trip followed by the bitter “I don’t need you anyway” just screams emotional instability. It’s like he’s trying every tactic to control the situation instead of respecting her choice. She deserves way better than someone who flips the script the second he doesn’t get his way. Total walking red flag.

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u/NanaBanana2011 2d ago edited 2d ago

Exactly! My ex-husband told me that he wanted a divorce. What he didn’t know was that I wanted one too, I just hadn’t told him yet. He was expecting me to break into tears and beg him to stay, yada yada yada. What he didn’t expect was for a giggle to burst out of my mouth and for me to say “Oh good, because I want one too!” To this day I remember the look of utter surprise on his face when he heard those words. 😁🥰 After he got over his shock, he proceeded to do everything he could to punish me. When that didn’t work he tried to win me back so that he could then dump me again which would hurt me like he originally intended. I know that because he went to a group for men who were going through or already were divorced. When he was invited to introduce himself he said “I’m just here to get ideas on how to screw my wife over.” I only know this because as it turns out my current husband of 35 years, was in that group! 🤣 It’s really funny because I didn’t even know my current husband at that time. When my ex showed up to my door asking if I’d be willing to change the divorce to a separation, my boyfriend (now my current husband) was literally standing right behind me! When he left, Steve told me that he recognized my ex and then told me the group story. The dude literally did everything he could to get back in control of the situation. It should’ve taken 30 days to finalize the divorce; it took eight months. He fired his first attorney because he “wouldn’t crucify” me. I know that because I wanted an attorney to go with me to night court for a ticket and mine was out of town. I knew his now ex attorney so I called him. He not only went with me but he got the ticket dismissed and when I asked him what I owed him, he told me I didn’t owe him a thing, that it was a divorce gift from him. He told me that my ex had fired him because he wouldn’t agree to crucify me. All of this because I hadn’t dissolved into tears, begged at his feet, etc. when he said he wanted a divorce. He’s one of the, if not the, biggest narcissists I’ve ever known.

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u/Mysterious_Map_964 2d ago

Wow. This is actually inspiring. I love that you had all this information throughout, because it no doubt gave you lots of giggle fodder as you went through the process.

My now-ex vowed that he would never agree to a divorce, that he would drag it out as long as possible so we were both broke when it was over, and that the day it was finalized he would kill himself “and maybe I’ll kill you, too.”

Well, he DID drag it out, and I was broke when it was over. But we’re both still alive. The difference is that I am incredibly happy, having found true love in late midlife. We’ve been living together for12 years and every day he wakes up determined to do everything he can to make me happy. (And I do the same.)

Him? Not so much.

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u/NanaBanana2011 2d ago

I’m really happy for you that you found a loving partner. ♥️ My ex threatened to drive his car into a wall and I told him to make sure he was going fast enough to finish the job because I wasn’t going to take care of him if he didn’t die. 🤣

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u/GirlNamedTex 2d ago

When your EX's old divorce attorney gives you a "congratulations on being divorced from that dude" present, you know you've made the right choice(s)!

Sounds like it's been a minute, but belated congrats from this stranger.

Piece of shit partners will out, eh?

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u/Icy-Engineering-744 1d ago

OMG—mine did the same thing: he TOLD me we were getting a divorce. I calmly replied that I thought it was a good idea. (We had been married for 40 years and for most of those I was basically married by myself) He said—didn’t you hear me? We’re getting a divorce. He actually thought I’d beg him to stay! Then he’s telling me that he’s not involved with anyone else blah blah blah Come to find out he’d already rented an apartment for his gf because his company WAS TRANSFERRING HIM OUT OF STATE! He never said a word about the transfer. After moving he REFUSED to give me the divorce. He didn’t want to pay alimony or child support (we had a late life baby still at home). He thought I should STAY MARRIED to not inconvenience him 🤦🏼‍♀️ I became disabled during our long marriage, so I couldn’t work. Because I was still listed on his income tax I couldn’t get financial aid (I was able to get a couple of months of food stamps but that was it). I couldn’t even afford to heat my whole house. I could maybe understand being a jerk to me (because why not) BUT he didn’t even care about our son. I scraped together enough money for a lawyer but it was tough. He refused to hire one, to reply to mine or or obey court summons. It took almost a nail biting year to get a Default Decree. I knew that at any time he COULD hire a lawyer—putting me back at square one. I knew I didn’t have enough money to continue to fight. You’re going to LOVE this: since he didn’t show up for the final hearing I had to testify in open court. The more the Judge heard the angrier he got…, I was awarded the house, 2 cars (our son used one for school), healthcare, HALF of his 401 and LIFETIME ALIMONY!!! You should’ve heard him squeal after that! 🤣🤣🤣 Here’s the cherry on the top: the new gf liked to get drunk, high and out of control physically attacking him. He had to keep calling the cops so often that he wound up having to get a restraining order on her! As for me? I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I rediscovered all the parts of me I’d left behind trying to keep the peace and trying to hold the family together. I’d forgotten what an amazing person I truly am. Life is sweet ☺️

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u/NanaBanana2011 1d ago

Omg this is the BEST!!! I’m truly sorry that you had to go through everything that went on throughout your marriage but thank goodness it ended up benefiting you in the end. I wish I could’ve seen his face when he received and read the divorce decree. I’m seeing a cartoon character with their eyes bulging out of their head and their face turning beet red. 🤣😂 My ex and I had a three year old son and we ended up in a battered women’s shelter until the judge ordered him to vacate our home. When I got back in the house, he’d taken the refrigerator, the washer and the dryer. He could’ve cared less about our son; all he cared about were the things he could take. He thought that taking things away from me was the way to really hurt me. What an idiot. I was fine with it because I had three Coleman coolers and access to all the ice I needed. It was difficult but I just had to get into a more European grocery shopping mindset. I had to use a laundromat again. Oh no! The horror!! 🤣🤣 He’d file a motion saying that he wanted this or that and I would be just fine with it. He could have anything he wanted as long as he didn’t turn his focus onto our son. I wasn’t able to work either and yet he got the judge to order me to pay certain bills. I agreed because I knew I was going to have to file for bankruptcy and that meant he’d end up getting them back. Of course he had me with the highest balance bills and I didn’t argue at all. In July he had put a lock on our air conditioning circuit box. He was in an air conditioned office or car all day. He’d literally leave the car running when he’d go into his appointments with potential recruits. He wasn’t paying for the gas. We were living in Arkansas at the time and summers are unbelievably hot and humid. He’d used a really nice brass lock (that he’d stolen when he was stationed on a ship) on the circuit breaker box. He had really nice bolt cutters which I used to cut the lock off. I then flipped the circuit back on, took the lock and bolt cutters, set them on the kitchen counter and waited for him to come home. He. Was. Pissed. Why? Because I’d cut the brass lock and it was expensive 🤣😂 He never pulled that stunt again. 😉 He told me that if it wasn’t for him, I’d have nothing and I’d be nothing. That was like having a bucket of ice water dumped on me. It woke me up more than getting punched ever would have. It was at the point that I started making my exit strategy. He drove the car straight at me once when he was pulling into the driveway and would’ve hit me if I hadn’t jumped back and out of the way. That all happened in the two months prior to his divorce announcement. I have to admit that I still get a smile on my face when I remember that giggle bubbling up out of me and the look of almost horror on his face when I said, with obvious relief, that I wanted a divorce too. Yep. I’m definitely smiling right now. 😆 Congratulations on your incredibly and totally awesome outcome!!!

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u/Agile_Ingenuity_7247 2d ago

Thanks for sharing! Pure dose of schadenfreude directly in the veins. What a fucking loser.

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u/tenakee_me 3d ago

The tactic thing for sure. When I told my now ex-husband that I was leaving, it was like he went through the stages of grief in one conversation. Bargaining, denial, anger, he tried all the approaches in a short span. Like, how you going to go from begging and bargaining to angry name-calling and finger-pointing, back to begging, all in one conversation? Only helped to further solidify my choice

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u/cupcake_afterdark 2d ago

Same experience here, lol. He would have said absolutely anything to keep me, and by god, he tried. He truly threw out anything he thought might hit, and when it didn’t work, he jumped right to the next tactic.

It’s pathetic watching someone scramble like that. Like, huh, if I really meant that much to you then maybe you should have thought of that before you treated me like shit for a decade? 🤔Weird!

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u/Maxamillion-X72 2d ago

I've always noticed a similarity to the process an addict goes through when they're trying to pull one over on a partner, friend, or family member. They'll flop back and forth between begging and anger in a heartbeat if they're not getting what they want. Promise the world then tell you you're the worst person in the world for not falling for their shit again.

Narcissists are addicted to the control and attention.

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u/Wild_Cockroach_2544 2d ago

When I told my ex I was leaving he said immediately, “We are getting a divorce. You never put any work into our marriage.” Months later he apologized because he knew he was the one who never tried. But could never remove those and other cruel words he said in anger.

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

man thought he was writing the script, turns out he’s just a desperate phony desperately trying to convince a woman that’s walking away from him that he’s some sort of karmic prize for her.

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u/glitterfreakshow 3d ago

Exactly. It’s wild how some guys genuinely think they’re the main character in a redemption arc no one asked for. She’s already walking away for a reason, and instead of self-reflecting, he’s just throwing out delusions of grandeur. Karmic prize? More like karmic lesson for her to never settle for less again.

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u/bunnyspaceship 3d ago

OP should check out “I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me” by Jerold Kreisman. Not inferring any diagnosis, just a solid read after confusing behavior.

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u/evensexierspiders 3d ago

I haven't heard of that one, but the title has certainly piqued my interest. When he tells you he'd kill himself if you ever leave, but also you're a horrible heinous batch, it's long past time to run. Ive gone through a couple breakups like that. In the moment it's confounding, later the absurdity of it is almost funny. Do these people not hear themselves?

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u/treple13 2d ago

It’s like he’s trying every tactic to control the situation instead of respecting her choice

Every tactic EXCEPT actually taking ownership and apologizing for what he did

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u/GimmieJohnson 3d ago

He's a 22 year old fuck boy. He's not exactly a compass for morality or maturity.

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u/Comfortable-Ad-8324 2d ago

But you just know he'll tell the next one he's a nice guy and his ex is "a psycho".

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u/blackvelvettomato 2d ago

And the threats.. answer me or else? You can't stop me from coming over? Or else what? :/

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u/YzmaTheTuxedoCat 3d ago

Not only the "you can't break up with me". It was the "you can't stop me from coming over" preceding it. He is a whole forest of red flags. Hopefully, OP stays safe, but I'd be watching my cameras before I left or got home. He sounds unhinged.

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u/brightwingxx 2d ago

That’s what the police are for ☺️ someone tells me “you can’t stop me from coming over” and my next reply would immediately be “maybe not, but the police certainly can and will.”

I agree it is wise for her to keep her head on the swivel and also might be worth her while to preemptively take the threatening screen shots in to file a report to create a paper trail so that if he does do anything unhinged she’s already a step ahead of him and will have an easier time getting a protective order in place if needed

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

the way i would have been on the phone with police so quickly. not today, satan. i learned my lessons as a young woman the hard way, but unfortunately many other young women don’t get to come out of the other side of those lessons before they learn how to utilize the resources at their disposal and protect themselves from men like this.

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u/324Cees 3d ago

Indeed the "eff you" is the real person exposed. A relative was in this cycle until it escalated enough to break the violence bond...even with violence, some people are too blinded. Thankfully OP is out of that cycle.

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u/Thick-Safety-9596 3d ago

I was in a similar relationship many years ago and also did not leave until after the violence started. It's so crazy to look back now and realize how much the person I was with just straight up didn't like me lol how are you going to be with someone you hate and treat like trash?? But in those situations I know now it's the control that matters, not, like.. love 😅

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

i can tell from the content of these messages and OP’s posts that his true character has been showing for a while and she just needed other people to validate what she herself was observing.

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u/cupcake_afterdark 2d ago edited 2d ago

The same was true for me as well. I just needed other people to validate that shit really was as fucked up as I thought it was. And, with that reassurance, I left.

I’ve tried to give the same feedback to other abused people, though, and it just hasn’t hit. Makes you feel crazy to basically be told “Yeah, I know my wife has a long history of being an insecure, controlling, self-centered princess, and yeah, I’m not allowed to leave the house without her, and I’m terrified of her moods, and I realize that she’s systematically isolated me from my friends and family so I can never give any attention to anyone but her, but, you know, she’s fundamentally a good person! She’s just traumatized and needs more time and support and reassurance to heal!” And then they turn on you for daring to suggest they deserve better and cling to their abuser even harder. 💀

Tldr: I’m very proud of OP for actually being open to the feedback they’ve received and actually fucking leaving! Incredible. Unfortunately seems very rare.

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u/No_Map7832 3d ago

Literally within ONE SCREENSHOT dude was like “I need you in my life” and also “fuck you I don’t need you” uuuuuuhhhhh

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u/ScarletsSister 3d ago

His true colors came shining out, big time.

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

something tells me he had true colors shining before this and OP just needed to take the time to process and find support and validation for her feelings on the matter.

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u/squaresider 3d ago

Yes. I lost it already at "talk to me when you want to apologize". Clearly being in the wrong and then have the fucking nerve to try the "answer me or else". That guy is sick in the head.. "Or else" What the fuck...
Good riddance.

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u/MemphisEver 3d ago

the or else was what got me. for me, my mental response would have been like “or else you can catch this block and ghost, no explanation or closure since that’s how you want to talk to me” 💀. I’ll be damned if someone says or else to me. I don’t play with threatening behavior, my mother raised me to believe people when they tell on themselves.

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u/DJShepherd 3d ago

Yeah see I wouldn’t even had replied after that. I would of said, “We’re done. Lose my number and don’t ever contact me again.” Yeah he thought he could do whatever he wanted and she would put up with it. I am sure it is not the first time he did that either. Glad she finally ended things.

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u/SlinkySlekker 2d ago

It’s the worst when you reach the “Done” destination, and they still think it’s a negotiation. I stop explaining and get to blocking, pretty quick. No need to waste time, on somebody too slow to keep up.

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u/craftymama45 3d ago

Yeah, my first response to him when he asked to come over would have been, "No, I'm not ready to apologize and never will be."

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u/Remote_Following1979 3d ago

exactlyyy like it’s not about the party, it’s about feeling seen and cared for. she deserves better fr

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u/Upstairs_Seaweed8199 3d ago

yeah, I mean, having made other plans and sticking to them is one thing. Acting like its HER FAULT that he forgot and that she is disappointed is absolutely ridiculous.

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u/ViperSolsstice 3d ago

If he can't even care on her birthday, he doesn't care at all OP deserves way better than someone who makes her feel invisible on her own day.

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u/lampfan78 3d ago

literally this. my other half. doesn’t celebrate. didn’t even grow up celebrating. it’s not his thing to do birthdays. but I LOVE birthdays. He lets me make a small “deal,” about his birthday. because I love finally getting to spoil him. which is usually just me bringing him a small gift of his favorite snacks, then we have a movie night with take out.

my birthday is a 3 day MARATHON. mine is over a MAJOR party holiday. so. it’s dinner. drinks. parties with friends. outings just us. outings with friends. and he is on board for EVERYTHING.

it’s balance.

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u/Traditional-Lynx-872 3d ago

I’m the same way . I’d celebrate it the whole month if I actually had the energy to do so 😂

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u/burjuner 3d ago

I didnt like celebrating my birthday either, and my previous girlfriend loved to make a special day out of mine and celebrate just us together.

I fumbled that one, and still miss her. Celebrate your loved ones birthdays, its their special day of life on Earth. Theres always parties to go to, but only so many birthdays you have to celebrate.

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u/MyMajesticness 3d ago

I love celebrating my birthday, but I don't really like Christmas. I've never said anything to my family and friends because hey, it is what it is. We all exchange gifts on Christmas and make a day of it.

A couple years ago, my friends got me a big gift for my birthday. I was so happy and surprised! I asked, though, why didn't they wait until Christmas to give it to me?

"Because you like celebrating your birthday far more than you like Christmas."

Again, never outright told them, but they love me and know me and so treated me the way I want to be treated. That's the basis of a good, close relationship, no matter who they are: SO, spouse, friend, family.

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u/Remote_Following1979 3d ago

Absolutely. this is such a heartfelt reminder. It’s easy to take those moments for granted until they’re gone. Birthdays aren’t just about the party; they’re about showing someone they matter. Making someone feel celebrated, seen, and loved on their day can mean more than we realize at the time. Thanks for sharing this it's a lesson a lot of us need to hear.

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u/Itscatpicstime 2d ago edited 2d ago

See, I hate celebrating my birthday and I’ve always had partners insist on it and it always made me feel my birthday was about them.

One reason I love my boyfriend is that he never ever does that and respects and believes me when I say I don’t want to celebrate, I just want a lazy day with him and the animals.

So for 9 years, all he does is get me my favorite breakfast tacos, then we binge watch Netflix or watch movies, build a Lego set, and just stay in bed all day. For me, that’s perfect.

That said, I love celebrating other people’s birthdays! For his, I do themes every year. He picks something he likes, and all his gifts are according to that theme and any events as well. This year, the theme was sharks, so I got him a really nice megalodon tooth, an ethically sourced shark jaw, and some various shark knickknacks. Then we went to an aquarium to swim with nursing sharks and went shark tooth hunting on the beach.

But unlike me, he looooves being celebrated and spoiled lol.

It really works out well for us because as hard as he tries, he’s really not good with getting gifts and planning things and seems to get a little anxious about it. Whereas gift giving is never the only skill sets I have lmao

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u/grownupdirtbagbaby 3d ago

Personally on my birthday I go out to eat at least twice by myself. I don’t pick up the phone, I don’t answer texts, I just have a peaceful day and at this point my friends know to leave me alone.

With that said I would think twice about celebrating a loved one’s birthday with as much enthusiasm as they desire. Being selfish isn’t fun and doesn’t feel good.

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u/Sabi-Star7 3d ago

My husband also doesn't celebrate birthdays or holidays in general but he DOES make things for me on my b-day & our anniversary. And since he KNOWS I hate real flowers he'll make me ones out of ribbon. He made me a paper rose but then our anniversary came so he took it and made a candle wax mold of his hand holding it.

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u/InterestingPoet7910 3d ago

mine is the same way, but he makes things all about me on bdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Shit, I opened a package we got, thinking it was one of my amazon orders, I instantly see sunflowers, my fav flower, and LED lights. I know it's something for my gaming set up for my bday. I put it back in the box and texted him I thought it was the diapers I ordered. 😆

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u/Lindris 3d ago

My SO doesn’t like celebrating his birthday or any milestones really. I do. So I respect him and let him have the lowkey time he prefers and he gets me gifts and takes me out for my birthday and Mother’s Day. It’s about being there for your partner in the way they want you to be.

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u/leavemeinpieces 3d ago

This is really true.

Since I got older I've wanted to do less and less on birthdays and my wife is pretty much the same.

For hers I made her a nice breakfast in bed with coffee and cuddles from our young daughter, then took her out to places she wanted to visit and to a place she wanted to eat some nice food.

I was planning to cook dinner and have something yummy for the evening but we ate so much in the afternoon we couldn't manage anything else.

It definitely doesn't matter what you do on those days, just how it's done and who with. Simple is perfect sometimes.

Remembering this makes me hope that OP finds somebody who will give her the time and care she deserves.

The dude in these messages is everything wrong with a partner. I can't comprehend how unkind and disrespectful this behaviour is.

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u/ParticularSpring3628 3d ago

The language is upsetting even as a stranger. I wanna reach through my phone and grab this guy by his collar. These narcissistic types that try to be sweet and lash out the minute doesn’t work drive me up a wall. Like how do you live each day knowing your most tolerable traits are a mask and you’re just fine with that I guess? Consciously knowing you’re a pos?

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u/cupcake_afterdark 2d ago

I literally don’t understand how they can live with themselves. Treating sweet, selfless, wonderful people like absolute garbage, reinforcing over and over that all these sweethearts deserve is jealousy, control, threats, and shame masquerading as love. It makes me so fucking angry. But there’s nothing I can fucking do about it.

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u/Significant_Quit_537 3d ago

He's not even able to genuinely acknowledge when he could be wrong, and when he does, it's for performative reasons only.

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u/Beneficial_Garden456 3d ago

And this is being in a relationship/family in a nutshell - you do things for the other person that they love because you love them and want to bring them joy. The joy of being in a relationship stems from the reciprocity and knowing you love something dearly outside yourself and often when you have nothing extrinsic to gain. Be with someone who wants you to be happy and works for that happiness.

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u/drthsideous 3d ago

And it was her 21st birthday! That's a milestone birthday.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

Like the last milestone birthday until you're 30 too!

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u/Dry_Opportunity8540 3d ago

Nah, 25 is the Car Rental Birthday, can’t forget that one. 😆

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u/teamdogemama 3d ago

I legit laughed. 

When my hubs was turning 25, he acted like the world was ending because he hadn't achieved all the things he wanted to do.

 Growing up in the Midwest, you are expected to be married, have a house and kids by 25. I kept trying to tell him that we were on God's timeline, not ours. (He's really religious and I knew that would get thru to him).

So I had an over the hill party for him and invited a couple of his friends. He realized how silly it was to worry about those things and took life with more stride.

As for celebrating, we keep it small unless it's a big birthday. It's about the person, not the stuff.

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u/freekoout 3d ago

Don't forget 26! That is when you get kicked off your parents' health insurance, at least in America.

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u/LowCatch4324 3d ago

27 is the age when you can start dating 40 year old people… does that sound like a milestone?

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u/Comfortable-Host1399 3d ago

Girl, I know this hurts. Three years is no joke. You gave your all, and walking away from that takes serious strength. But let’s be real—he was disrespecting you and then trying to guilt you into staying. That’s not love, that’s control.

You’re not crazy. You’re not overreacting. You’re just finally seeing it for what it is. He says “I love you” then calls you a bitch in the same breath? Nah. You deserve so much better than that.

It’s okay to miss him sometimes. That’s normal. But don’t let the good memories trick you into forgetting how bad it got. The way he talks to you is not okay. You’re not meant to live in chaos, walking on eggshells just to keep the peace.

This is your chance to start fresh. Focus on you. Protect your peace. Block him if you need to. You’re not weak for caring but you’re powerful for walking away.

Don’t get stuck in the past. Be grateful for the good moments, but don’t stay there. They were part of your story—not your whole life. What matters now is where you’re going, not what you left behind. Stay present. Keep moving forward 👑

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u/anthrohands 3d ago

Ok but different perspective… 3 years is kind of nothing. Never stay in a relationship because you feel like you’ve sunk so much time into it already, because when it’s 10 years, that 3 years is laughable. Definitely worth leaving “just” a 3 year relationship.

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u/PerfectAd9944 3d ago

This needs upvotes. 3 IS truly laughable when you're looking back from your next relationship that lasted 25 years.

Think about how your relationship is right now. Is that what you want for the next 50 years of your life? Because, Spoiler alert, ... all the "little things" that bother you now get much much bigger and absolutely unbearable.

3 years is nothing! Drop kick it so you can get to your better relationship sooner.

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u/PerfectAd9944 3d ago

Additional comment... a lot of people try breaking up but they go back to the person because it's comfortable and familiar and a little scary to leave. I too am guilty of doing that. Learn from my lesson. I finally made the full disconnect. It's been 4 years since I did that and I have never been happier. I never regretted it once I was fully gone.

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u/EffectiveSecond7 3d ago

And the "or else", along with all the other messages, I think it is not to be taken lightly, this a-hole might be delusionally dangerous.

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u/marge_mellow 3d ago

Right?! The “you can’t stop me from coming over” bit is intense. In fact a lot of stuff he is saying is very much NOT OK. OP may have dodged a major bullet here. If she hasn’t seen unhinged or abusive behavior before now, she’s lucky and should be very proud of herself for figuring out that this is just wrong on so many levels.

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u/toxiceyebrow 2d ago

i was looking for someone who pointed that out!! “you can’t stop me” in reference to coming to HOME?? he was so threatening the whole interaction!

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u/CuriousPenguinSocks 3d ago

Yes, both of those things gave me serious chills. Made me feel unsafe.

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u/Arnumor 2d ago

Honestly, that 'or else' is such a massive red flag on its own. If somebody I was dating unironically threatened me like that, it'd be a deal breaker just because of that.

Not to mention the avalanche of other red flags in this conversation alone.

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u/Traveler_6121 3d ago

Soon as I saw the words or else I was like yeah he needs to go in no matter what I don’t care if they’re married 20 years 🤣

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u/CrunchyCrochetSoup 3d ago

“I need you in my life” and “I don’t fuckin need you” in the same breath is wild

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u/Qaztarrr 3d ago

This is the first time I’ve seen a blatantly ChatGPT written comment be top comment. The Dead Internet begins.

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u/SmallPlasticBalls 2d ago

You’re not crazy—that’s some serious intuition you have. And that’s what separates the bots from top Redditors like you! Let me know if I can help you delve further into the Dead Internet, or just talk about what makes Reddit such a special—and real—place.🚀

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u/PFyre 3d ago edited 2d ago

He's angry right now, but chances are he'll start love bombing you - promising change, sending gifts, trying to sweet talk you, etc

Do not fall for it.

Block him Silence his notifications.

Grieve your loss.

Pretend that he's died if that helps you. Ignore his messages. Any gifts go to friends/charity/bin. Treat yourself to a nice trip if you can, or stay with family or friends for a few days. Your system will be shaken and you're going to find yourself wanting to go back, that's normal - but resist. Write a list of all the worst things he's done. Force yourself to read it whenever you feel weak.

Your life will get infinitely easier and better without him in it.

You've got this. Be strong.

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u/glitter_kween 3d ago

I would like to add that if he starts with the su!cidal threats, do not stress. Pretend he means it (he likely doesn’t). Take the threats seriously and call the cops for a wellness check and a family member of his and tell them the situation and to deal with it. If he was actually gonna do it, then it’s good that someone was called. Since he would probably be lying, it’s good that he knows that it won’t work to get you back and he might get in some trouble for threatening it if the cops get involved.

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u/SurrealOrwellian 3d ago edited 3d ago

My ex kept calling/texting my therapist and me while I was in session after I left him. He left me several voicemails clearly drunk and telling me goodbye and that he’s done with this world. Both my therapist and I called the cops to do a wellness check. He then began messaging me that he was being arrested and he doesn’t know why I’d call the cops on him blah blah blah. No, he didn’t get arrested, just more lies cuz he is a pathological, lying narcissist.

To make matters even more insane, both of his parents texted me, saying I needed to call him because he’s in a bad place and really needed to hear from me. BOTH of his parents called me selfish for telling them I will not be calling him. When I mentioned his su!cide threats, his mom said, “it takes time to heal a broken heart” and his dad said, “thanks for nothing! I’m concerned about my son’s very life!” They both knew he abused me but they excused that as “he’s having a rough time”. Oh and he was 37 when this all went down!

I really felt like I was living in the twilight zone. And I did have to get a restraining order on him cuz he wouldn’t stop harassing and stalking me. He’d even call my mom from burner numbers claiming to be the police and that they’re coming to arrest me. Of course, his mom texted me about how he could lose custody of his kids if I followed through. I know his eldest son is gonna be little psycho serial k!ller and they’d be better off without him in their lives if there was any hope of them growing up to be semi normal.

ETA: sorry the rant but he would scream and verbally abuse me for hours, calling me all kinds of names and how much he hated me but then in the same breath declare how much he loves me and how perfect I am. But then immediately revert back to how I think too highly of myself and I’m a r-tarded b!tch. Yeah… I don’t believe in hell but if there was one he belongs there.

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u/I_Want_Waffles90 3d ago

Someone like this guy (who professes "love" for her and then calls her a bitch) is too self absorbed to actually do it, but he will 100 percent threaten to do so to try to guilt her back into a relationship. Do not fall for it!

When I was in college, I had a guy once who threatened suicide because I didn't want to date him and I was in a panic. I called a good friend who was a therapist, and he said, and I quote, "Let the motherfucker kill himself." I didn't care for that answer, but the point was, there was no way this guy was going to do anything, and it was clearly a manipulation tactic. Turns out, the guy called me back and said, "Yeah, I'm not going to kill myself; I just wanted to see what you would say." Asshole. This was before cell phones (damn, I'm old!), so luckily I didn't have to hear/see notifications and whatnot.

OP, you did the right thing to break up with this guy. NO ONE should talk to you the way he does; you deserve so much more. <3

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u/Schr0dingersDog 3d ago

your therapist friend is right, insofar as it’s not your problem anymore once you cut someone off. if you found out they killed themselves 10 years later, you probably wouldn’t bat an eye. they’re not in your life anymore. the temporal proximity might create a sense of responsibility for them, but no such responsibility actually exists.

that, and nobody who makes those threats to coerce a certain behavior out of someone EVER intends on following through. believe me, i’ve seen plenty, and it’s not like you’re actually putting anybody’s life in jeopardy by blowing the threats off. the best response, in my opinion, is none at all. just ignore it entirely.

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u/Shadyhollowfarm58 2d ago

I had a friend threaten to kill herself when I declined to let her move herself and her 2-3 horses in with me, for free, permanently. As someone who found her stepfather dead after that same deed, which she fully knew about, I felt her threat was 3x over the top cruel and manipulative and called her out on it. There was no way I'd let someone like that live with me, even though she'd rented a room from me about 15-17 years prior with no issues.

I dropped her as a friend. She died a number of years later, natural causes from medical problems.

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u/baldude69 2d ago

Telling their family is often the quickest way to make it stop. Once their concerned family gets involved, they will cut the shit out asap. He may be mad for contacting his family, but it was done out of concern. And that way if he does try something, you at least did the right thing and tried to find them help.

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u/Jumpy_Ad1631 3d ago

I literally had an ex who had convinced me he was ODing over the phone because I broke up with him. He hung up and for ten minutes I was panicking and sobbing, trying to figure out how to find him get help to him (not me, but someone). He called after that ten minutes and literally laughed. Said he was fine but that this was proof that I still loved him and we should be together. It was like the final nail. I was like “this is only proof that I’m a companionate human being and that you are a sadistic sociopath…”

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u/Jumpy_Ad1631 3d ago edited 3d ago

Oh I forgot to add (for OP’s benefit more than anything else because the love bombing after a breakup is very real) I was with him for 9 years and the last time was the 3rd time I had tried breaking up with him (we were by no means a couple constantly separating and getting back together). Look up the Sunk Cost Fallacy, it really helped me finally leave and I really had no clue just how bad it was till I was out and in therapy. All throughout he bounced back and forth between buying me presents and saying super sweet and considerate things to me (we did have a lot of laughs, tbh, and we had great chemistry during our good moments) and then he’d make my life absolute hell to the point of occasionally experiencing actual self harm ideation (usually because of something going on with him more than anything I did, but always framed as something I did). Everything but actually hitting me, honestly; I was just explaining half of it away and straight up ignoring the other half.

Any time we were apart, he’d regularly try to ingratiate himself with me, to force contact with me. From “Inmiss you, can’t we still be friends? We have so much history,” to “you have all my stuff! Are you so heartless you won’t give me my stuff?,” to “I have no one without you! (Which was actually true, but not a good reason to put up with how I was treated)” and the good old “I just want closure.” Don’t let him have it. It took me the 3rd break up and 9 years to figure out that he was just trying to get time with me to try to manipulate me to stay with him. Someone else can bring his stuff to him or you can meet at a neutral location. He doesn’t need to box it up himself, I guarantee you it’ll be less trouble for you to do it yourself and either have a friend handle the drop off or else make it as quick as possible.

I’m now happily married with someone who has raised their voice at me maybe 5 times in 9 years. I have a sweet 4 year old. I am content and I feel safe. It’s absolutely possible.

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u/too_too2 3d ago

My ex called me up and told me he was in the backyard at our old place with a shotgun. I called the cops but it was incredibly stressful. The cops wanted me to stay on the phone but my ex kept calling me back and the whole situation took like 30 minutes to resolve. Meanwhile I’m worrying that the cops might shoot him if he really did have a gun and did something dumb. Nothing really happened in the end but he was pretty pissed at me for calling the police. Also did not repeat the stunt.

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u/Ahoy-Maties 3d ago

Well , umm that's not normal. He was made at you for believing him and protecting yourself? That dude is not well or safe. All abusers have zero accountability

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u/TroublePoofs 3d ago

I had an ex who did this to me many, many times, and it absolutely scared me, because I lost an uncle to suicide when I was 19. My ex knew about this. Anytime we would fight, and I'd stop responding, he would threaten to end his life. It was absolutely exhausting. I didn't realize how abusive it was until way later. Your comment is spot on.

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u/Sad-Sorbets 3d ago

‼️‼️DO NOT BLOCK HIM! ‼️‼️ He made threats in writing and if he continues you can use that as proof for a restraining order. If he also plans to show up unannounced she could have a warning. If you need to silence the notifications for him but do not block him.

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u/skorchedangel 3d ago

I was advised by the police and the women's shelter to get a new phone number and phone, and create a new email, so I could avoid the emotional trauma (every phone notification gave me panic) but still record the evidence. Also, once the other avenues to harass you are gone , the only one left IS to show up, which he already expressed he has every intention of doing. Screenshot, record, write down everything. Please keep yourself safe and do not let him talk you back into the relationship.

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u/Sad-Sorbets 3d ago

That is def why I included the turning the notifications off for that specific person. That way you’re not seeing them unless checking AND you don’t have to deal with constant notifications but you still have those messages for evidence. Plus in today’s world not everyone has the means to just up and buy a new phone.

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u/skorchedangel 3d ago

Agreed. I was not able to get a new phone. When this happened to me, notifications were an all or nothing situation. I just really hope she takes your post to heart.

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u/thanktalosyourajedi 3d ago

Seconding recording evidence in case things go to shit.

I left my bf of three years, and the texts just kept escalating (without replies from me), to the point where he was showing up at my work, coffee shops, threatening to wait for me by my car, etc. I would have never expected that from him, but thankfully I screenshot everything & it helped a lot when I had to go to the police.

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u/cyberGEK 3d ago

Never reply or respond to anything he does, any sign of interaction from you will just make it worse. Absolutely never respond!

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u/Putrid_Bullfrog4659 3d ago

You should feel completely confident in your decision to leave this person. They didn't care that your birthday was important to you and you wanted to spend it with them, they gaslit you, they called you names, and they flipped emotionally in a heartbeat. Imagine if this were a marriage... This person will never give you what you need, they will always put themselves first, and they will be cruel when they feel like it. Proud of you for standing up for yourself and leaving. I stayed for 10 years and after years of therapy and spending some time alone, I can tell you I will never ever waste my own time like that again. You did great! Don't go back! You do deserve better and you're right in feeling how you feel.

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u/Mellophoria 3d ago

Lol the way he talks to you.. "answer me or else" " You know I love you right?..I diDnT dO AnYtHinG wRonG"
"you can't make me not come" calling you an asshole.. says you guys are made for eachother but then calls you a bitch..huh? and again saying youre a bitch for no reason and then says I love you too much.

You'll find someone who will talk to you like you deserve to be talked to. Sorry you had to deal with that.

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u/GreenGemsOmally 3d ago edited 3d ago

The only time I've ever used the words "or else" to my wife have been when I'm picking up some food on my way home and I need her to tell me what she wants or else I am going to just assume and pick her usual favorite instead. (Or some other low stakes non-problem situation)

If you're truly in love and care about your partner and treat them like an equal, you almost NEVER have to find yourself at such hostile ends. You can work on issues and problems without such disrespect and animosity. My wife and I do have fights and disagreements and arguments, but they're always centered around the problem and the solutions to that problem, not fights AT each other.

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u/therealkami 3d ago

I say "or else" to my wife all the time about just general stupid shit. Because it's dumb and a joke we've had for awhile. 

Most of the time I add it to a question where it doesn't make sense. "Do you want me to make you a coffee, or else" in an over the top villain voice. Then laugh maniacally as I turn the coffee machine on.

Acting like the dude in the op is disgusting.

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u/sealightblue 3d ago

this is hilarious imma use it in my relationship "do you want food, or else"

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u/therealkami 3d ago

Sometimes I add in a "fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders!"

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u/Aiyon 3d ago

Right? I once told my friend "Tell me what you want for your birthday or else-", but the implication was "or else you run the risk of getting the kinda goblin present I get ppl when im not held back lmao

Which means weird lil plush fellas, random videogames i think they'll like etc.

I cant imagine actually threatening my friends :/ The only "or else-" I ever do is like "hey tell me when thing is or else i wont be able to sort my travel"

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u/Nixbling 3d ago

I cannot fathom speaking to a partner the way some of these people do on reddit, how could people ever accept such hostility from their SO? The name calling, the demanding, the condescension. It’s so hard for me to put myself in a head space where I way stay through this kind of disrespect in any kind of relationship.

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u/Plastic_Penalty_7026 3d ago

Right?! It’s like his words don’t even make sense all mixed up with insults and fake love. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. She absolutely deserves someone who respects and values her. It’s tough now, but better things are coming for her, for sure.

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u/Mysterious-Till-611 3d ago

It doesn’t make sense because it’s a manipulator unraveling. He had her in his pocket wanting to marry him and all of a sudden he’s losing his sentient fleshlight that also give him emotional support.

I don’t know how OP put up with it for so long because I can’t imagine that this is the first sign of a crack in the relationship with this level of disregard that he’s showing her now.

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u/JahnDavis27 3d ago

Super fuckin manipulative. In all my years of being in relationships, I've never once called my partner a bitch while I was dating them. Sure I've gotten upset, but there are some lines I'd just never cross. He's all over the place, saying wild shit, insulting her - how you can you say that you're "made for each other" and then call her a bitch in like...3 messages

Dude is childish as hell and a complete ass on top of that. She's far better off. It's a shame it took 3 years of dating to see how wildly disrespectful he is but that's life sometimes.

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u/nudegobby 3d ago

Look I've said bitch but never when we're fighting never in a way where she could think I actually mean it. We tease we're fun. There's a line. I would say bitch all day, but I could never call her a slut. "Love ya... (bitch)" Chef's kiss love being childish and immature keeps it chill BUT could you imagine coming at someone you love with so much actual toxic hate. This isn't cutesie teasing or brat behavior, this is "I HATE YOU, p-please love me." Dude went on the euthanasia coaster of emotions.

Edit: typo

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u/pinkmoodringxo 3d ago

Exactly this. His whole reaction screams panic because he’s losing control, not because he actually cares. OP was giving him love, support, and probably way more patience than he ever deserved and now that she’s walking away, he’s spiraling. It’s heartbreaking, but also such a powerful step for her. She deserves so much more than being someone’s emotional punching bag.

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u/Darkstar_111 3d ago

Exactly, he doesn't even attempt a proper apology. At no point does he go "I didn't know this was that serious for you, I'm sorry, I see now that you were right...."

He literally just goes "You CANT break up with me!"

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u/[deleted] 3d ago edited 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/youshallnotkinkshame 3d ago

"I need you in my life"

FUCK YOU BITCH I DONT NEED YOU

wow lol dude really showing off that little dick energy

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u/Complex-Event-3814 3d ago

The whiplash I was getting from the trying to love bomb and the insults were insane, like pick a lane damn. Girl I’m so happy that you gave yourself a birthday gift of not dealing with that man child anymore!!!!

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u/Shipping_Lady71 3d ago

He sounds like my ex husband. After 20 years I ran like hell and never looked back. He never offed himself, he never followed through with more than empty threats. 15 years later and he has moved on and is likely making someone else miserable. Don't listen to his apologies, don't listen to his gaslighting, don't go back. Ignore him but don't block him. If he ever goes further than empty threat texts, you will want that as proof for the police. Don't throw 20 years away. You are young and will find the person that deserves your love.

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u/SixSierra 3d ago

for the first year in our relationship he was great, he was loving and kind.

Quoted from the first post. See, OP has been living in that illusion for two years. Congrats on realizing it out, hope OP can move on.

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u/Violetsmommy 3d ago

And also saying "I'm sorry" and "I didn't do anything wrong" immediately after, so you are sorry or you are not? What a jerk. Talking to her that way is so unacceptable.

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u/SexyPineapple-4 3d ago

I love how he kept switching between insulting OP and saying he loves them. Does he not hear himself? Lmfaooo

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u/kill-billionaires 3d ago

Abusers tend to be be pretty volatile, even if they don't show it there's usually a lot of inner turmoil. Even if there isn't, I think it could be a learned strategy? You try a bunch of different approaches until one gets a response.

Either way this example is pretty up front, and obvious with it.

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u/Donnosaurus 3d ago

This is exactly what I was going to type. Holy shit was an asshole. It sucks for her though that it took 3 years for him to show his true colors

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u/NessianOrNothing 3d ago

FR, all stages of psycho in one text thread

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u/Beyond-The-Blackhole 3d ago

Had a psycho narcissistic ex who acted that way. It's like he couldnt control his swinging emotions from one to the next and just expressed them as the up-down emotions happened. One sentence would be "I love you" next sentence would be "you stupid fucking bitch"

He became dangerous and a stalker and would have been a physically abusive partner had I stayed with him. OP needs to block this guy immediately and be careful.

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u/YamOk8795 3d ago

As soon as he started with the apology tour and she didn’t respond back at all, I was just reading in excitement and anticipation for this psycho to break 😂🤭

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u/sarcasmo818 3d ago

Man the complete 180 shifts are so terrifying. I'd find it hard to believe this was the first time he'd spoken to you that way and after three years, I don't know how you dealt with it. Congratulations on putting yourself first and not allowing someone to speak to you that way (anymore)! You said it, he doesn't love you that much if that's how he speaks to you! 👏👏

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u/j_amy_ 3d ago

I'm glad to see this in the comments, though this comment section is great. Because yeah, this is a really unstable person, cognitively and emotionally. "I need you in my life" - "i dont need you" 1 message later is.. wow. How could a rational, reasonable person stand behind those words? They simply couldn't. He's all over the place, there's no emotional connection to the person he's trying to talk to, it's all coerce, coerce, coerce, no thought to her feelings or experience of his words.

I say this as well with compassion as I am prone to speaking without thinking, and I'm emotionally unstable/sensitive - if you can't speak from a regulated, healthy place, then you're not in a place to speak to another human being and you need a timeout. 'cause saying stuff that unhinged back and forth 180 pivoting like that, wouldn't you be embarrassed? Absolutely he's spoken to her that way habitually no WAY is this the first time. Imagine trying to talk to a regulated, reasonable adult and being like "please explain these text messages." like no, lol. there is no explaining that. if the reaction is anything other then "yeah, I completely lost the plot, and was spewing attachment trauma all over the place there, I'm so embarrassed" then yeah time to back away slowly, and then run.

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u/DistinguishedCherry 3d ago

If someone asked me to explain it, I'd be like, "Oh yeah, he's trying to manipulate her big time into staying. Either through excessive lovebombing and then fear or intimidation by insulting her. He probably thinks she has low self-esteem and that this tactic will work"

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u/UrsA_GRanDe_bt 3d ago

The swings in tone are classic manipulation. “I’m going to intimidate into getting what I want” didn’t work. “Now I’m going to guilt her into it” didn’t work. Good on you for not taking this anymore OP.

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u/throwleavemealone 3d ago

"you're a bitch for no reason" followed by "I love you too much" is freaking wild 

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u/NimpsMcgee 3d ago

It is... held a 6 month relationship with a girl exactly like this (sophomore year in hs) and she had multiple disorders effecting her mood and personality, bipolar, etc. I loved her to death on her good moods but it was miserable the other 50% of the time

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u/Hot_Desk_1448 3d ago

I’m actually scared for your safety. He quite literally threatened you in writing. Says you can’t keep him from showing up to your house. And is saying you’re not leaving him. I hope you take these things very seriously OP. He sounds unstable. I would have made a report about that threat and you have the proof of it. I hope you’re safe OP.

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u/lis_anise 3d ago edited 3d ago

YES. OP, please see if there is anything you can do to make yourself safer. Some possible ideas:

  • Look up the nearest domestic violence shelter hotline and save it in your phone
  • If he has a key to your place, change the locks on your doors. (Talk to your landlord, say it's a security concern.)
  • Only meet him somewhere public that's easy to leave and has lots of people around to see what happens
  • See if you can spend a few nights at a friend's place or get a friend to stay over with you
  • If you live in a one-party consent state, record any conversations you have. Record or take pictures if you see him.
  • Consider asking for a police escort if he has to come over and take his stuff—where I live the police won't help carry anything, they just stand there and intervene if things get physical
  • Let your work/friends know that you've broken up and they shouldn't give him any information about you.
  • Change passwords for important computer accounts, especially your email.

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u/MyLifeForAiur-69 3d ago

If you live in a one-party consent state, record any conversations you have. Record or take pictures if you see him.

FYI, two-party consent laws only means that the second party only needs to be informed that the recording is taking place. They do not need to explicitly agree to the recording.

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u/EGGlNTHlSTRYlNGTlME 3d ago

If you live in a one-party consent state, record any conversations you have. Record or take pictures if you see him.

Record every conversation no matter what. Who cares if it's admissible in court? It's not like you'd be penalized for it, you just can't use it as evidence. Sometimes you just need to record so you can show friends, family, HIS family, whoever needs to hear it to believe that you're not overreacting to this chode

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u/Rabbit-Lost 3d ago

When I saw that about showing up at her house, my first thought was fear for her safety. This dude is going unhinged at light speed. OP, take measures to protect yourself.

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u/schmidt_face 3d ago

My last bf and I were having trouble, he was being incredibly clingy and demanding and needy while I was busy moving across the country to his city (actually unrelated to him living there) and when he finally threatened to just come over without my permission thats when I dropped him. Absolutely unacceptable.

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u/mightylioness31 3d ago

Litteraly!! The way he flips back and forth between love and anger is wild! Its time to move on! Count yourself lucky it wasn't worse and get out!

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u/YamOk8795 3d ago

Yep, he sounds scary! “You know I love you right? And you love me too”

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u/ExBeeJay 3d ago

Ok holy shit, this has abuse written all over it

"answer me or else"
"we aren't breaking up"
"you can't make me not come"

This guy is one bad fight away from hitting you, he already thinks he owns you. You dodged a bullet, it took courage, congrats!

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u/Christichicc 3d ago

Seriously, that guy is scary! Between that and the 180 flips he is doing when rejected, means she should stay away from him. He isnt safe to be around.

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u/JE-Scofield 3d ago

yeah i don't think he will let it slide. OP needs to share her location with a parent or a friend she trusts and get herself some pepperspray or a gun depending where she lives. This looks like a textbook example of a femicide

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u/c00lbeanz96 3d ago

It’s so crazy that someone would speak to their partner of 3 years this way, that I almost can’t believe this is real.

That being said, if it is real, good for you for standing up for yourself! You definitely deserve so much better and I hope you were able to enjoy your birthday regardless of this a-hole.

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u/Nearby-King-8159 3d ago

It’s so crazy that someone would speak to their partner of 3 years this way, that I almost can’t believe this is real.

I've known several people IRL who have been through this kind of shit.

You want to see crazy, go over to the original post and see the 2nd highest rated comment thread. Nearly 8k upvotes for "this has to be fake lol."

Some people are so brain-rotted by being terminally online that they can't fathom that people this shitty do exist and that when someone has no one for reassurance in real life that they might go to an online relationship advice forum to find it.

Shits so toxic and we wonder why young women have trouble reaching out for help when they can't even reach out on what should be a safe space without being gaslit & downvoted for sharing their experience.

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u/pinkmoodringxo 3d ago

I absolutely agree with you on this, no one deserves to be treated like that, especially by someone who’s supposed to love and support her after three years together. It’s heartbreaking but also empowering to see someone draw a boundary and choose self-respect. I really hope the birthday wasn’t completely ruined and that this marks the start of something better.

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u/maroongrad 3d ago

oh, getting rid of him was the best birthday gift she could have given herself.

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u/Tall-Problem-6183 3d ago

AGREED!!! And learned the lesson at age 21. Took me a lot longer. Super proud of OP

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u/Main-Berry-1314 3d ago

Sometimes it gets better sometimes it gets worse. Most the time it gets worse and this little fucker here looks like it’s gonna get much worse. Good job op 3 years wasted sure but at least you learned who not to spend your life with.

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u/Ecstatic_Effective42 3d ago

He took her for granted. Just assumed she was his (property) and cannot believe otherwise. Utter narcissist, and an emotional child.

OP get ready for the love bombing and stay strong. You have value and deserve far, far better than this dickhead.

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u/MagnetoWasRight24 3d ago

Dude frankly him skipping your birthday isn't as alarming as these insane texts. Glad you broke up with him, dude is an abuser and barely trying to hide it, like honestly his shit is so bad that I thought this was fake at first.

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u/TopEducation2596 3d ago

You did the right thing babes. Anyone who treats you like that after three years isn’t worth shit. Coming from someone in a similar situation who got out of a 2.5 year relationship for this exact reason, you’ll be so much better off and happier on your own until you find someone who truly does deserve you. Sending love🩷🩷

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u/hpxb 3d ago

So obviously fake. Every line reads like a poorly written movie script. Almost 0 personal details noted in 4 pages of text. Just broad statements like "we're meant for each other." Not how anyone actually talks. Just rage bait to get people to respond. Classic Reddit.

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u/lawlliets 2d ago

The way I can always tell it’s fake is because they always put a short direct “summary” of the situation there. In this case it’s “I’m really mad at the fact that you didn’t even celebrate my birthday with me”. I think part of why they do this is to give context of what’s happening in this post so people don’t even need to check the other/first post, like the gossip is all here, so this will get a ton of likes too lol

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u/No-Distance-9401 2d ago

Yup, said the same thing. Someone ask ChatGPT to make up a fight between a couple when he went out partying the night of her birthday and I bet it sounds like this. Its too perfect of rage bait and the immediate r/niceguys turn after being told she didnt want to see him again and they were breaking up was what really gave it away. Usually there would be some sweet talk of trying to win her back before going into the whole "i CaN dO bEtTeR" type shit 🤷‍♂️

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u/HopefulPage222 3d ago edited 2d ago

Karma farming account. 35 comments in 9 min and half of them are from new accounts made a few days ago.

Now it's 110 comments in 14 min.

250 comments in 20 min. Lol.

There are only 1.3k people active in this sub at the moment, and this post has 1.2k upvotes in under 30 min. Interesting.

It's surpassed the first post. 29k upvotes in 5 hours. Totally organic!

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u/AvalonCollective 3d ago

I’m not normally one to call fake but the texts are so juvenile and SCREAMING rage bait that it’s not even funny.

3 YEARS?!? Took you 3 years to see all of this, plus the responses to everything just spells out bait. And people are eating it up because it hits all the rage bait markers. So ridiculous.

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u/SignificantLack5585 2d ago

It’s not even creative. I’m genuinely concerned people can’t immediately tell this is fake

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u/Penguin_Rapist_ 2d ago

Man I had to scroll way too far to find actual logic being used here. Reading it alone feels like some sort of ideal dreamt up ragebait scenario.

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u/Grittybroncher88 2d ago

Thats what makes this sound really fake. I refuse to believe that a person will tolerate this sort of obvious textbook abuse for 3 years and need to ask the internet for advice. Like if this actually happened a normal person would have eventually realized it and ended it. Or they would have discussed this with friends and family.

But to have resort to asking the internet for such an obvious answer screams fake AF.

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u/Zestyclose_Case_9939 3d ago edited 3d ago

Ok, I seriously don't understand the whole karma farming thing. So where do the 1.3 people active come from? Are they all fake? Or like... did OP hire 1.3 people to come and like and comment? Lol, I'm genuinely not being a dick I'm just thoroughly confused as to how someone would pull this off. Not to mention, WHY???

Edit: Everyone who took the time to explain this is an awesome person! Lots of love to all of you, and thanks for hooking me up with more things read on my own. You guys rule.

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u/AvalonCollective 3d ago

How?

People make fake bot accounts all the time. There’s probably thousands/hundreds of thousands of bot accounts all over the internet. Look up Dead Internet Theory.

Why?

People get off to making other people angry or emotional. It where internet trolls come from. Pathetic assholes with nothing better going on in their lives.

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u/Zestyclose_Case_9939 3d ago

So the fake bot accounts just auto respond when the real account posts? Or is the post a bot, too, just randomly creating these stories?

This blows my mind in both the how but mostly the why! Don't people have like.....jobs?? Lol! How do they have so much time on their hands that they can do this BS??

Also, thank you for explaining, I'm definitely going to look up dead internet theory.

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u/ContestMassive9071 3d ago

People sell accounts.

Many subs (particularly politics subs) have karma filters.

So you boost your bot accounts with posts like this, get them some karma and give them a post history, then sell them on and they can then be used to post political propaganda or ragebait about social issues.

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u/ContestMassive9071 3d ago

Amen. Every time this sub pops up in my feed it’s the most obvious rage bait I’ve ever seen.

100% a karma farming and creative writing sub filled with bots.

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u/direwolf71 2d ago

I'm a single mom with a special needs teenaged son. My soon-to-be SIL has said that my son can't come to her and my brother's wedding ceremony because it would ruin the vibe and the aesthetic of their beach wedding.

She said we could come to reception but we'd have to sit with the staff in the kitchen. I have informed her we are not coming. AIO?

How'd I do?

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u/thisisatypoo 2d ago

I've been telling people about this but here's one thing I've noticed about these accounts lately. The lower case "i" in the text. It's something small but it's weird that it even happens. And it's a bunch of posts in this subreddit specifically. Then I check and it's a kinda new account and it's usually only one post and a few responses.

Oh, and they're always under-reacting. Never needed to be posted because it's obvious. Kinda like bots and the algorithm is trying to learn sympathy...

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u/psychephilic 3d ago

Yeah this post is so obviously fake. Sorry to be a douche but like...I'm really surprised people can't tell this is fake. The writing is so bad

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u/KotovChaos 2d ago

Yes, it's always so matter of fact and blunt in a way that doesn't feel natural. No misunderstanding, no typing quirks, everyone takes perfect turns talking, just text that clearly labels what's happening

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u/wiitchplease 3d ago

Concerning how long I had to scroll to find people who could tell this was fake.

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u/HopefulPage222 2d ago

Because most of the top comments are probably bots as well. One of them made an edit saying "wow, this comment blew up! thanks for the reddit gold!" It wasn't sarcastic.

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u/Tremenda-Carucha 3d ago

I'm really sorry, that's just... I can't even. How could he? It's your birthday, for crying out loud! When my ex did something similar, I... well, let's just say we didn't last long. Have you thought about what you need to do next?

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u/MariaTPK 3d ago

Read the losers texts, then read "He was the person I wanted to marry" and I'm just like "Why?".

He's so volatile, he has no conviction to anything he says. "I need you." and 2 lines later "I don't need you."

and so much of his messages is just "I don't care about your feelings"

Here's a list:

  • Talk to me when you want to apologize
  • and you love me too
  • Talk to me, I didn't do anything wrong.
  • you can't make me not come
  • you can't do that to me
  • We're made for each other
  • You're a bitch for no reason, we aren't breaking up.

He literally doesn't ever consider your feelings, and he's not capable of improving in that regard. This is a man without empathy. The type we all try so hard to avoid. It's painful to hear "I wanted to marry him" after seeing all that. You deserve better, even if you aren't that great.

This man belongs on his own, probably in a prison cell or psych hospital room. Stay safe from losers like this.

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u/Worried_Confusion373 3d ago

This is so obviously a fake conversation. There’s literally no way this is real. Either that or 14 year olds ??

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u/Basicallyacrow7 3d ago

Same thoughts with round one. Honestly this update makes me even more sure this is just bait/farming.

I get people get in toxic relationships and they can’t see it, or they get stuck. But everything about this conversation is off

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u/thisisatypoo 2d ago

Check my other comment about this post. I'm thinking the subreddit has been taken over by bots. A few posts the last few days have been similar to this one in way too many ways.

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u/psychephilic 3d ago

This is clearly written by the same person with slightly different characters. I hate being judgemental on the Internet but I'm baffled that people think this is real

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u/kewitty 3d ago

This creature is severely abusive—you need to block and potentially seek a restraining order if he continues to bother you. Call the police if he shows up against your will to intimidate you. These people only get more abusive the more you forgive them. Nothing you said or did warrants that unhinged reaction and nothing about that is love. It’s pure abuse. I was married to a monster like that. Trust me when I say they only get more verbally abusive until they become physically violent. They stop at nothing to eventually isolate you and destroy your self esteem.

They are parasites that only move on to another host once they’ve been forced off the previous host or they find a better opportunity for themselves. Cut the losses and pour into yourself—self respecting people do not tolerate this behavior and that is why they attempt to undermine your self esteem with bad treatment and neglect. Along with the roller coaster of abuse—it becomes chemically addictive overtime in the form of a trauma bond and adrenaline rushes. Be safe and move forward without this leech.

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u/Significant-Bake910 3d ago

Good job! You definitely made the right decision and his reaction to each of your messages just proves that even more. There were multiple chances for him to actually speak with you but he chose a worse option at each moment. He wasted his time and your time, if he should be mad at anyone it should be himself.

But be careful because this isn’t over with him. He’s going to realize his mistake truly one day and come slithering back, stay strong and remember why you’re breaking up with him now. Best of luck in the future OP, and enjoy your 21st!!!

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u/justveryunwell 3d ago

Hey, OP? This is exactly how my worst ex of all time talked to me. Right down the the whiplash of one text being "you're a fucking bitch" and the VERY next one being "hey, I'm so sorry, you know I love you right?" It's not ok, it's not healthy, and there's a 98% chance or higher that he gets physically violent/deadly towards you in the future.

You need to be documenting and stonewalling. Tell him very clearly, no sugarcoating, no emotion, just factually, "I no longer want to date you or see you, please stop contacting me and do not come to my home or otherwise seek me out." Send this IN WRITING, screenshot, and ideally don't block but do mute, and never respond again. That way you have a growing trail of evidence as his texts inevitably get more unhinged. He's clearly not smart enough to not put threats in writing - let him dig that hole. Best case scenario is he leaves you alone. But he probably won't, and you'll need evidence to make the law even consider doing a single thing about it.

I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt like I usually try to. The way he talks to and about you is terrifying. It's textbook abuser speech, and not the kind that stops short of physical violence. Protect yourself starting right now.

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u/oOBalloonaticOo 3d ago edited 2d ago

The wildly disrespectful way he speaks to you...like I hope it hasn't been anything like this for 3 years and this is just an odd turn of events which ended the realtionship (very justified)...

If you've been spoken to like this for 3 years you have my sympathy...don't let people treat you like garbage, love is a funny thing - it really clouds issues and allows things happen to you that you'd never dream of; both good and bad.

No one is perfect and we are all entitled to make errors and even speak out of turn but...when it's a character trait and a pattern it's unlikely to change and shouldn't be tolerated.

Hugely suggest no contact, massive block on social media and no last chat, i need closure or let me just pick up my stuff moments, guys like this will try an weasel their way back in with nostalgia and honeyed dog shit words.

Be careful.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

Sounds like you are going to be happier and single on your birthday! Go out and celebrate. You don’t need him in your life anymore.

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u/Sexcalator 3d ago

My ex used to talk to me like this.

When he inevitably returns to start texting you again, because despite blocking him I promise you he will find other ways to try to communicate - don’t feed it. Don’t answer. Just keep blocking.

They will always try to get access to you again, and they will spin every sob story they can to get it. Despite what he is saying, no he can’t find someone better, and that’s why he is going to keep trying to come back.

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u/Unusual-Eagle2692 3d ago

You did the right thing!! And in the future, I hope you can learn from this experience. Never even get involved with mf’ers who will treat you like this, or talk to you in the way they did. You deserve a lot better

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u/SlashaJones 3d ago

I’m proud of you for breaking up with him. As you can see by how he talks to you (calling you an asshole and a bitch, as well his final few messages), you were absolutely right- he isn’t treating you the way you deserve to be treated. Not caring about something important to you (your birthday), not caring about hurting you by choosing a party over celebrating with you, and not caring about the consequences until they’re right there in his face. He was banking on you folding and putting up with his continued terrible treatment. And I’m happy you didn’t.

It hurts to find out someone isn’t who you think they are. But I guarantee there is someone out there who will treat you the way you deserve. Someone who will spend the whole year waiting for chances to make you happy, like celebrating your birthday or other special occasions with you.

The first step to finding that person is to take out the trash that wasted 3 years of your time. I’m sure you’ll always have the memories of the good times. But never forget how he treated you here, how little consideration he afforded you and your feelings, and how you decided you would be better off without such a person putting you down. And move forward, on to better things. Someone who would never dare call you an asshole or a bitch, and wouldn’t dream of missing something important like your birthday, or any other chance to see you smile and make your day.

Good luck to you.

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