Bryan Abasolo Provides New Text Messages, Refutes Claim Rachel Lindsay Was 'Shocked' by Him Filing for Divorce
The 'Bachelorette' couple filed for divorce in January after more than 4 years of marriage
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(L) Rachel Lindsay and Bryan AbasoloBryan Abasolo is providing new evidence in his latest response to his estranged wife, Rachel Lindsay's filing.
In new court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the chiropractor, 44, tells his side of the story as he claims the former Bachelorette lead, 39, wasn't "surprised or shocked" by his decision to divorce.
When Lindsay submitted her responsive declaration to Abasolo's filing, she claimed that she discovered his decision to terminate their marriage "via text message" in late June. She alleged that Abasolo sent her a message that "simply read, 'Hey ... I just wanted to let you know that I officially filed'" 30 minutes after he left their shared home.
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(L) Bryan Abasolo and Rachel LindsayNow, Abasolo claims that Lindsay "fails to disclose" that he sent her a text message stating his intentions to move their separation to "the next step" before filing for divorce.
“Rachel, walking in to the room because I didn’t reply to your text per your timeline then raise your voice for not getting the immediate answer you want is the kind of one-sided controlling aspects of our relationship which has brought us to this point," the message began. "My inability to communicate, as you’ve called it, is to prevent these kinds of reactions. It often feels like you must have what you want without considering any state of mind I’m in."
He continued, "I’m sorry for not replying to your text but honestly, I don’t really want to be on the receiving end of your wordsmithing anymore. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to. I want to regain some aspect of my self-respect back."
"Please, let’s keep future communications in writing (written down on paper, email, text) to prevent any additional friction as we move to the next step," the text concluded. "We can speak in the future in the presence of a neutral party or something. Right now, I just can’t do it. I haven’t been able to for a while. Respectfully. Good night.”
Shortly after filing for divorce in January, Abasolo shared a post about the pair’s separation on Instagram.
"After more than 4 years of marriage, Rachel and I have made the difficult decision to part ways and start anew," he wrote at the time. "My parents have been married forever and I'm a family man, but sometimes loving yourself and your partner means you must let go. I wanted you to hear it from the source before the blogs start making up their own reality.”
He concluded, “Please respect the spaces of our family and friends as we figure out our next steps. Respectfully, Bryan.”
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Days later, Lindsay opened up about their decision to part ways on her Higher Learning podcast, calling the separation "a difficult time" in her life.
Lindsay didn't share much but promised to "eventually" get into the details of the split. "Now is not the time," she said. "[I'm] just trying to take it day by day."
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