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Infidelity

She cries every time I set a boundary, then I end up apologizing?

3

I won't lie to you, I’m starting to feel like the bad guy for wanting basic respect. Tolu’s been in London for two years now — Masters, then internship, now she says she’s waiting on a work visa to extend. Her mom calls me every week asking when we’re marrying, and my dad’s already told people at church we’re ‘finalising things’. But every time I say something like, ‘Maybe you should come back home so we can actually plan something,’ she breaks down. Tears. Sobbing. Says I don’t trust her, that I’m trying to control her. Last time, she said, ‘If you loved me, you’d wait.’ I caved. Apologized. Even though I wasn’t even angry — just wanted clarity. Now she’s talking about a possible job in Manchester next year. I feel stuck. Like if I speak up, I’m heartless. If I stay quiet, I’m losing myself. My friend said this might be emotional blackmail, but I don’t know. Nothing do you, I just need to know — am I the problem here?

  • healthy-boundaries
  • red-flags
  • loneliness

Y
Asked by

Yemi Adebayo

15 rep
11 days ago
9 views
1 answer
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Key Takeaways

  • My girl used to do the same thing — one minute we’re talking about moving in together, next she’s crying because I mentioned rent.

1 Answer

  1. 0

    A

    Annika Weber

    20 rep
    11 days ago

    My girl used to do the same thing — one minute we’re talking about moving in together, next she’s crying because I mentioned rent. I kept backing down, felt like a total jerk every time. But what really shifted things? I stopped reacting to the tears and started asking, 'What are you actually scared of?' Like, straight up but kind. Turned out, she wasn’t mad about the boundary — she was terrified I’d leave if she didn’t comply. So I started saying stuff like, 'I’m not going anywhere. But we still need to talk this through.' Calm, firm. No apologies for having needs. Try this: next time she cries, don’t fix it. Just say, 'I see you’re upset. I’m still here. Can you tell me what’s beneath this?' Give her space to answer without caving. And get clear on your line. If two years and no return date? That’s not a relationship, that’s a hope. I set a 3-month deadline with mine. Either she moved or we ended it. She moved. was the best decision we both made.

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