My Ex-Boyfriend Hid Me From His Friends Because He Said I Wasn’t “Up to His Standards”

My ex-boyfriend used to hide me from his mates, because, as he put it, I wasnt on his level. I realised it from the very start, but I stayed anyway. He came from a wealthy family in a small English townhis father was a big businessman, his mother didnt work, they lived in a large house and drove a brand new car. I grew up in an ordinary neighbourhood, worked as a cashier at the local supermarket, and helped my mum with the bills at home.
We met at a coffee shop where I bought my morning coffee before work. He started calling, texting, asking me out for dates. At first, it all seemed lovely, but also somewhat odd. He never took me to the places he frequented with his friends. He always chose distant, discreet spots where nobody would recognize us. Whenever we went for a walk in the town centre and spotted someone we knew, hed immediately drop my hand and whisper, Lets go this way. I asked him why, and he replied, My mates are very critical, I dont want to deal with gossip. I swallowed this excuse.
The first time I really understood, it was at a party. He invited me, I dressed nicely, bought a simple but pretty dress. As soon as we entered, he murmured, Stay here by the bar, Ill go say hello to a few friends. Twenty minutes went by. Then forty. I watched him from across the roomlaughing, posing for photos, hugging people. He didnt introduce me to anyone. When I approached him, he put his hand out as if to stop me and said, Wait outside for a bit. Outside, he explained, There are important people here, I dont want any awkwardness.
Over time the comments stung more and more. He said I spoke too common, needed to change my style of dress, and refused to post photos of us together on social media because his family was reserved. He never brought me to his house. I never met his parents. When I invited him to my mums birthday, he came up with excuseswork, car trouble, being too tired. But whenever there was an event in his circle, he disappeared for the whole weekend.
One day I asked him outright, Are you ashamed to be with me? He went quiet for a few seconds and replied, Its not shame were just from different worlds. Youre a good person, but my friends are at another level. I dont want to be judged. That sentence broke something inside me. I asked him, And you think you can judge me? He just shrugged.
The worst was when I saw on his profile photos with a colleaguethe daughter of a well-known solicitor in the town. Restaurants, posh events, big smiles, tagged together. With her, he posed proudly. With me, not a single word. When I confronted him, he said she was just a friend. We had a serious row. I told him I wouldnt be someones secret. He replied, If you dont like the way things are, then its over.
And that was itwe broke up then and there. I walked several streets alone, crying. A week later, he was officially with that other woman. I continued going to work and seeing his photosdesigner clothes, holidays, fancy dinners. He never apologised. He never admitted that he hurt me.
Now I know, for a year I was the girl who wasnt meant to be seen. The one kept behind closed doors. The one who wasnt good enough for the group photo. Thats not something you forget easily.