Your honor, my client made a mistake by voicing a thoughtless comparison. However, his girlfriend's reaction seems disproportionate. While his words were hurtful, initiating a complete no-contact break, especially during the holidays, is an extreme response. She is punishing him severely for a verbal misstep, and reconciliation should be prioritized over isolation and relationship limbo. Therefore, she is at fault for overreacting.
Your honor, the defendant's actions are a clear attempt to manipulate the narrative. He admits to devaluing his girlfriend's contributions to the relationship and then acts surprised when she is hurt. This isn't just a 'verbal misstep'; it's a pattern of belittling her efforts and then playing the victim when she asserts her boundaries. Her decision to take space is a reasonable response to his emotional abuse and lack of appreciation.
The plaintiff's comparison of his girlfriend to his exes was undeniably insensitive and hurtful, demonstrating a lack of appreciation for her efforts. However, the girlfriend's reaction, while understandable, appears excessively punitive. Initiating a no-contact break during the holidays and leaving the relationship in limbo seems a disproportionate response to the initial offense. Both parties share responsibility for the current impasse, but the girlfriend's actions escalate the situation unnecessarily. He should have known better than to compare his current partner to his exes. As a result, the girlfriend is justified in taking some space away from him, but she is not justified in taking such drastic measures such as no contact.