Hi again. I didn’t expect my post to get that much attention. Thank you to everyone who commented, messaged, and shared support. Here’s what’s happened since.
I’m safe. I moved out the night after the party. I’m currently staying with a close friend who’s been my rock through this. I brought my dog with me (yes, legally he’s registered under my name, thank god), and we’re both okay, though I haven’t slept more than a few hours at a time. It’s like my brain can’t shut off.
I went to the police. I gathered everything and I sat with a detective and told them it all. They confirmed what I feared but needed to hear, that what he did absolutely qualifies as soliciting a minor and sending explicit content to someone underage. This is being investigated as a criminal case.
Many of you were concerned if I had contacted the girl’s mother. I found her through the girl’s instagram. She had read the message, and from what she told me, her daughter had been hiding everything. Her mom was horrified, heartbroken, and incredibly grateful I said something. She’s now involved with the police as well. I forwarded all of my evidence directly to her and the detective handling the case. Her daughter is safe, and I’ve stayed respectful of their privacy. She’s just a kid. She didn’t deserve any of this.
As for him…
He’s been telling people I “framed him,” that I “faked the messages,” and even accused me of being jealous of a “younger woman” (disgusting). He tried to call me from burner numbers, but I’ve blocked everything. The police advised me to keep all records of contact attempts. His mother even had the audacity to message me again, this time asking me not to “destroy his life over a mistake.”
Emotionally, I’m still unraveling this. I’ve started therapy because the betrayal runs deeper than I realized. I loved this man. I thought I was going to marry him. And meanwhile, he was abusing a child and gaslighting me into silence.
But I’m proud I didn’t stay quiet. I’m proud I stood up, at the party, to the police, to her mother.
Thanks again for reading and for giving me strength when I was starting to question myself.