Ending a toxic relationship

PetiteFemme

New member
Content warning: rape mention and self-harm mention

Recently I came out to my boyfriend as being polyamorous. He didn't take it well at all. I initially told him over the phone because I made the mistake of trying to give him a heads up on talking to him about something. He didn't want to wait for us to meet in person and so I told him. He told me things like "I don't make you happy enough" and "I'm not good enough for you". Even though I told him differently, he didn't believe me.

So I asked to meet him in person. When we met, he acted as if we didn't have the conversation over the phone about who I am. Then when I repeated what I told him, he started arguing with me and started talking over me. He said that polyamory is the same as cuckolding, that it's unsanitary, and repeated that I "obviously don't love him" because I want other people.

We went to his place and talked more about it. It was more of me trying to convince him that I still cared about him. He was very confrontational and was in my face. He gave me an ultimatum. I felt extremely uncomfortable and afraid. Even though I told him several times, he didn't seem to understand that I was breaking up with him.

Things went from bad to worse when he picked me up and tossed me onto his bed. I froze, which is my learned response and continued to be frozen as he took me without consent.

Then afterwards me mentioned being open to a polyamorous relationship, but only if it was a woman. "XX chromosomes," he said. I thought about I despise the one penis policy. At the same time, I was processing the fact that he just took me without my consent. Then he drove me to my place and left.

The next day I didn't have to go to university. I was stressed and depressed and I slept in late. I told him that things were definitely done between us over text because I didn't want to have to see him again. Then he asked to meet me. That night I had trouble submitting an assignment on time and that was it. I lost all sense of control and ended up cutting my right arm. I've been okay for several years now, but with everything that's been going on, I felt so trapped and like I had nowhere else to turn.

I finally told a person at my university about it and afterwards, I felt so much better, but now I am facing the fact that I'm going to meet him again. We're meeting in public, but I'm not sure how I will react when I see him. We had a rocky relationship before where he would leave and come back then leave again and come back again. I'm not about to let myself get drawn back into that sort of thing again. So, I'm going to be honest with him and go about my way.
 
Please let me clarify. Pardon the emphasis.

According to you, your relationship rather SUCKED BIG WET ROCKS before you decided you were interested in nonmonogamy.

Look, I've been nonmonogamous for far too many years. I've seen the end of 35+ relationships. And I'll tell you that it ALWAYS sucks. There's no such thing as an easy end to something that was AT ALL worth having in the first place... but, heck, it truly is better than never having made the honest attempt.

You did your best, right? It bombed. You decided to move along.

So -- move along.

Trust YOU. Believe in YOU.
 
I am so sorry you had this experience of being raped by someone you should have been able to trust.

I told him that things were definitely done between us over text because I didn't want to have to see him again.

Why do you have to meet him again? It sounds like you feel emotionally unsafe around him, even if you'd feel physically safe in a public place. You say you tried to tell him you were done, over and over, in person, and he wouldn't hear it. You have now repeated the message over text. But you say you are going to do it again in person. Why?

Be kind to yourself. If there is no need to see him, say no. You can change your mind now, even if you have already agreed to meet. You can say "I have thought about it and I no longer wish to meet you in person. I'm done with this relationship. Please do not contact me." Then block. Would it be safe to do that?

You also might need some professional support for your own mental health. (Maybe you already sought this support via the person you talked with at your university.) You have been raped by a partner; there may be support services you can access to help process the trauma of that.

From what you've said, it seems like the relationship may have been abusive in other ways too. If so, you may find specialised domestic violence services helpful to understand how you've been impacted by the controlling dynamic (if this was the case).

You come across as someone aware of your own triggers etc and you may already have had therapy for some of the things you mentioned from your past. I don't mean to come across as condescending. I've been raped by a partner too and I am still surprised by some of the effects of that in my life, years later.
 
I am sorry. You don't deserve any of that. :(

I agree with Fuchka. Skip seeing him. It is not your job to convice your rapist that you are broken up.

Could focus on your self care right now. See whatever support services/professionals you feel ok seeing at this time. Be is a doctor for the stress/feeling trapped/cutting/emergency contraception and/or police if you plan to report the assault.

We had a rocky relationship before where he would leave and come back then leave again and come back again. I'm not about to let myself get drawn back into that sort of thing again. So, I'm going to be honest with him and go about my way.

You have already been honest with him.

I told him that things were definitely done between us over text because I didn't want to have to see him again.

If you do not want to get drawn back into it? Don't see him again. Do not justify, argue, defend or explain yourself all over again. You already did that. Obey the limit you already set -- do not see him again. Be on your way.

It is not your job to help him understand or accept that you don't want to be with him any more. From the sound of it? You have told him repeatedly in various ways.

You don't feel safe around him. So keep away.

Galagirl
 
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Do NOT see him in person again. Is there anyone you can stay with for a few days?

If you can emotionally, I would advise having him arrested. He may have done this with former girlfriends and, unless stopped, may do so again. If you are not comfortable with the thought of having him arrested, if he contacts you again, you may let him know that, if he keeps pushing for an in-person meeting, all bets are off and you WILL call the police. Even a restraining order would be better than nothing.

I am so, so sorry for what you are going through. There is no way in hell you owe this person anything. You did the right thing, and he punished you for it. End of story.
 
Just add me to the people saying don't see him again. You should have zero contact with this guy, unless it is to testify against him in court.
 
Hi PetiteFemme,

Breaking up with this boyfriend definitely sounds to me like the right thing to do. I'm sorry he treated you so awful, both the rape and the surly words and behavior. If you do see him again, promise yourself that it'll be the last time, and keep that promise. Stay focused on your own health and well-being; do not concern yourself with his. Don't let him play mind games with you. Don't let him put the whammy on you. You tried to be reasonable with him. That suffices.

With sympathy,
Kevin T.
 
I agree with everyone who has responded, and I am very sorry you have had to go through this.
 
Please do remember that your safety and mental health are the most important pieces here. The violence and assault are not your fault. I agree with the others, do not see this person again. You deserve safety and kindness.
 
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