Bea, That's right, it is fear, fear of the unknown, fear of losing you forever, fear of what life has to offer him and above all else, fear of having to face what he's done. He's still very much tied to your apron string and if it's cut, he doesn't know what he'll do or how he'll cope because you have been the one true person in his life for a very long time.
Lashing out, trying to sue you are the only things he has left to keep you in his drama. He knows that once everything is settled, he will have no need to have contact w/you except for your sons.
I don't see him falling any time soon and I also think that if the lawsuit goes through, he'll find something else to keep the drama going. If he does "ever" fall, it will be a nasty tumble and one that may just send him completely over the edge. It's not going to be a pretty sight and I'm glad you have some distance between you.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
