[UPDATE] My (27F) boyfriend (28M) is obsessed with my ex (27M)?

In a cozy apartment once filled with laughter, a young woman’s world unraveled as her boyfriend’s strange fixation on her ex spiraled into a nightmare. What began as a sarcastic remark at a grocery store morphed into a year-long saga of manipulation, public humiliation, and boundary-crossing behavior. Now, her attempt to salvage their “near-perfect” relationship has crumbled, leaving her to pick up the pieces after a messy breakup.

This Reddit update, equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating, dives deeper into a relationship poisoned by insecurity and control. From dismissing her pleas for counseling to spreading lies post-split, her ex-boyfriend’s actions reveal a troubling pattern. As she finds relief in freedom, we’re left wondering: how does someone recover from such a toxic dynamic? Let’s explore her latest chapter.

For those who want to read the previous part: My (27F) boyfriend (28M) is obsessed with my ex (27M)?

‘[UPDATE] My (27F) boyfriend (28M) is obsessed with my ex (27M)?’

After my last post, I tried to take the advice in the comments and suggested couples counselling and I asked my boyfriend to cut off my ex, but he got angry at me again. He claimed I was the one who needed therapy because I had jealousy issues, and that my ex was one of his good buddies and I couldn’t dictate who he was friends with.

Then a week later he had another hangout with my ex and his friends where he proceeded to very loudly tell them how I was so insecure, and I was trying to tell him who he could speak to. My ex and Luke had to tell him to stop which he didn’t like at all.

I should’ve just broken up with him at this point, but I was stupid and still clinging to the hope of my boyfriend going back to how he was. After this happened, my boyfriend was constantly making jabs at my ex and Luke but then he would still contact them and pretend to be friends with them.

Then, he became super interested in what my s** life was like with my ex. He was constantly asking me who was better between the two of them and he would ask me if I had done this or that with my ex. I kept telling him I didn’t want to talk about it and to stop asking me.

I then find out from my ex and Luke that he had been asking my ex directly the same questions and that he had been bragging about our s** life to his friends. My ex said he was telling me because my boyfriend made a comment about loaning me to my ex if he ever felt like recreating old times. That was the final straw for me, and I broke up with him and moved out.

My now ex-boyfriend didn’t take the breakup well and he went on a smear campaign. He even contacted my family and my ex’s family to tell them we were apparently having an affair and that he had no choice but to break up with me. It’s been almost a month since we broke up and he keeps getting new numbers to text and call me. Deep down I think I knew this would be how things ended.

I’m sad about the relationship I thought we had ending but now that I’ve had space away from my ex-boyfriend, I feel much better and it's like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. TL;DR – My boyfriend wasn’t willing to work on the relationship and he kept doing things to embarrass/upset me so I finally broke up with him.

When a partner’s obsession with an ex turns into public shaming and boundary violations, it’s no longer quirky—it’s toxic. This woman’s ex-boyfriend didn’t just fixate on her ex; he weaponized it to control and demean her. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, explains, “Narcissistic behaviors often include triangulation—using a third party to manipulate and destabilize a partner” (Dr. Ramani’s website). His actions, from probing her past intimacy to bragging to her ex, fit this pattern to a tee.

His refusal to consider counseling and gaslighting her as “jealous” show a classic dodge of accountability. Asking intrusive questions about her sexual history, then sharing details with others, wasn’t curiosity—it was a power grab, eroding her dignity. The “loaning” comment about her to her ex was a grotesque overstep, signaling deep disrespect. Post-breakup, his smear campaign and relentless contact escalate the concern, hinting at potential stalking behavior.

This ties to a larger issue: emotional abuse in relationships. A 2021 study by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that 95% of abusive relationships involve emotional manipulation, often escalating after a breakup (NCADV). Her ex’s behavior—publicly humiliating her, contacting her family with lies—mirrors this, risking her safety and peace.

She’s taken a brave step by leaving, but safety comes first. Documenting his messages and consulting a women’s resource center, as Redditors suggested, could guide her toward a restraining order if needed. Therapy, via platforms like BetterHelp, could help her rebuild self-esteem.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s collective jaw dropped at this ex-boyfriend’s unhinged antics, serving up equal parts concern and sass. Here’s the community’s fiery feedback:

[Reddit User] − This dude is nuts. Leave and don't ever look back.. seriously...

[Reddit User] − Damn. Consider a restraining order or something. His obsessive behavior is concerning and it’s better safe than sorry.

Sainabou09 − Luckily you left! This kind of behavior would just escalate, and it was already weird AF. He was dismissive of your feelings and it seems even your ex and Luke were uncomfortable with him.. You’re better off. Stay safe and if he keeps contacting you maybe look into a restraining order or something.

kaaaaath − Holy s**t. Was he like...actively driving/willing you to get back with your ex, or what. Girl, he legitimately sounds scary. Please look out for yourself.

irishkegprincess − Maybe time to get a restraining order and a C&D order too.

taylorabx − He sounds deeply insecure and like he was trying to portray himself as some sort of big shot because he has you now and not your ex.... which is weird. It sounds like he was using you almost like a trophy, and constantly trying to compete with ex. I’m glad you got rid of him, sometimes situations like that can turn dangerous in seconds.

TinyHaiku − Can you update us in a month and let us know if you're okay. This dude's behavior is scary. His behavior before you broke up was crossing boundaries, and after the breakup it was too. He is mentally ill and I highly recommend taking precautions to keep yourself safe. I recommend talking to a women's center/resource center to see what they recommend.

eat_the_cake_anna − He's probably sitting in a bush outside your exes house right now.

timmmmehh − Jesus, looks like you dodged a cannon ball leaving him

Tinyfoxxo_17 − Please keep all those messages and get a restraining order. This dude sounds unhinged, and could potentially harm you.

These Redditors see danger in his escalation, but are their fears justified? Is a restraining order the next step, or is there hope for a quieter resolution?

This woman’s escape from a toxic relationship is a victory, but the shadow of her ex’s harassment lingers. Her story reminds us that love shouldn’t cost your dignity—or your sanity. What would you do if an ex turned a breakup into a smear campaign? Have you ever had to cut ties with someone obsessed with control? Drop your thoughts below and let’s rally around her journey to healing.

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