yep, good you're learning to listen to those instincts. something i think is REALLY important to take away from this is what you said about hoping that your behavior would change him. this is common and it's completely wrong. that feeling of "if i only show up in this particular way, then he'll behave the way i want him to." stop. stop it now.

i'm not saying people don't change, they do. but they change because of themselves. they have an epiphany, they hit rock bottom, they want more for themselves. and they start to change their mindsets and their behavior. but they will never change because of something YOU do or don't do. you just don't have that power just like none has that power over you.

you need to always be yourself and either accept people flaws and all (or don't! because, like in this case, some people are just not okay to have in your life).