Abusive boyfriend broke my teeth

Dear Pastor,

I met this young man in 2023. I had been out of a relationship for a while as I had experienced abuse before.

When we met, I had a son, and at that time, life felt like a fairytale because I was getting a treatment I was not used to and he was doing a lot for my son. But recently, things have spiralled out of control where this man is becoming abusive and it is passed off as him responding to how I am treating him. We had talks about marriage but now I am not interested in a future with him. In expressing myself, I will say how I feel. But to him, he sees it as me being disrespectful because it goes against what he thinks or believes.

Recently, something happened and I now believe that I need to get away to save myself. We had an issue and things spiralled out of control when he placed his hands on me again, even though he recently said he wasn't going to do so again. I ended up getting hurt and now I will have to go and fix my teeth because the injury has troubled my nerves. He keeps saying that he wants us to fix things but I have no desire to do so because once something starts, it's not easy to stop. I am fearful for my future and would not like to continue living like my past life.

He says that if I leave him, I will have no peace. So he's basically telling me that if we don't stay together, I am going to be in torment and he's going to track me down and find me because he's not willing to waste the time he spent in the relationship. At first, when the discussion about marriage came up, he said that until I can prove that I can have children for him, he is not willing to commit. It has been three years since then, and things are now at this level. I'm no longer comfortable in this situation and I need your help.

Your Loyal Reader

Dear Loyal Reader,

You intended to leave this man because of his abusive behaviour. He is not even smart enough to realise that the relationship has got worse because of his threats.

You are aware that you will never be happy with this man. He is not going to change. He believes that he has the right to control you in every way. Marriage is out of the question. I will not suggest that you marry this man, therefore, please realise that the longer you stay with him, is the worse the relationship will get. You should, therefore, seek a place to rent. You will have peace of mind.

I wish you well. Let me hear from you again.

Pastor