'I'm headed for a nasty breakup – and I can't wait to be single again'

I made a major mistake moving in with my partner Ryan*. We'd always had a volatile relationship, but it became much worse when I started earning more money than him.

I had a big promotion at work and I thought he'd be proud of me; instead, I obviously offended him and made him feel less than manly, so he reacted by turning into a total b--tard.

My last relationship ended badly and now I'm on the way for another dreadful breakup. The difference this time is that I'm in control. I plan to end things with him after his birthday in a few weeks.

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I don't want to ruin his 40^th birthday. So my plan is to wait a couple of weeks and then I will end it. I just can't wait to be single again and not to have to worry about Ryan's fragile ego. It's been a very difficult four years with him. I should never have moved in with him, but I suddenly had a panic attack about being in my late 30s and single and wanting to be a mum.

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My family has put so much pressure on me over the years. I'm the youngest of four girls and my elder sisters all got married young. Then they had their babies young and I was the one who was always the black sheep of the family.

Nothing I did was the same as my sisters.

I used to dread family get-togethers because everyone would ask me why I'm still single. I got asked many times if I was gay and the answer was always no – if I was, I would have just told them. Then they'd be trying to set me up with some friend of the family.

When I got together with Ryan there was some kind of collective relief. Everyone thought I'd finally get married and hopefully fall pregnant.

You can imagine how horrified they'll be when I tell them I've ended my relationship with Ryan and I am very happily single.

In fact, I'd even say my entire family loves Ryan – they're obsessed with him. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. Firstly, he is wealthy, and my family has always been attracted to wealth and impressed with anyone who lives in a "well to do" suburb.  We have never been wealthy, so my family has always treated rich people like rock stars.

Also, Ryan is very good looking. He's the best-looking man in our extended family – and he knows it! My sisters just sit and stare at him and later they'll tell me how handsome he is. Yes, I know he is very easy on the eye, but they don't understand that being good looking doesn't make you a decent person. It doesn't make you a pleasant, kind and loving human being.

If they knew what Ryan was really like, they would be happy that I was ending my relationship with him.

Still, having said that, I'm dreading breaking the news to my family as I know they will be very critical of me and ask me to stay with him.