is it a good idea to respond to his temp checking like this? You're worth more. You really are. He wants a 'friend' who will demand nothing of him - not even civility and an end to the criticism - and putting responding to his texts on the back burner for a couple of days has spooked him into throwing you a bone. This is the man who says he wants a divorce, but doesn't want to hurt you. It's an outrage. Be less available to him.
