Bryan Abasolo Denies Claims Rachel Lindsay Was ‘Shocked’ by Divorce

Bryan Abasolo provides new evidence in his latest response to his ex-wife Rachel Lindsay’s filing.

In new court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the 44-year-old chiropractor tells his side of the story as he claims the former Bachelorette Lead, 39, was not “surprised or shocked” by his decision to divorce.

When Lindsay filed her response to Abasolo’s filing, she claimed she found out about his decision to end their marriage “via text message” in late June. She alleged that Abasolo sent her a message that “simply said, ‘Hey… I just wanted to let you know that I officially filed,'” 30 minutes after he left their shared home.

Now, Abasolo claims Lindsay is “failing to disclose” that he sent her a text message indicating his intention to take their separation to “the next step” before filing for divorce.

“Rachel, walking into the room because I didn’t respond to your text on your schedule, and then raising your voice because you didn’t get the immediate response you wanted, is the kind of one-sided, controlling aspect of our relationship that has gotten us to this point,” the message began. “My inability to communicate, as you called it, is designed to prevent these kinds of reactions. I often feel like you have to have what you want regardless of what state of mind I’m in.”

He continued, “I’m sorry I didn’t respond to your message, but honestly, I don’t really want to be on the receiving end of your comments anymore. I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary. I want to regain some self-respect.”

“Please keep future communications in writing (on paper, by email, by text) to avoid any additional friction as we move to the next stage,” the text concludes. “We can talk in the future with a neutral party or otherwise present. Right now, I just can’t do it. I haven’t been able to do it in a while. Respectfully. Good night.”

Shortly after filing for divorce in January, Abasolo shared a post about the couple’s split on Instagram.

“After more than four years of marriage, Rachel and I have made the difficult decision to separate and start anew,” he wrote at the time. “My parents have been married forever and I am a family man, but sometimes loving yourself and your partner means letting go. I wanted you to hear it from the source before the blogs started creating their own reality.”

He concluded: “Please respect the space of our family and friends as we consider what happens next. Respectfully, Bryan.”

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A few days later, Lindsay opened up about their decision to split from her. Higher Education podcast, calling the separation a “difficult time” in his life.

Lindsay didn’t give many details but promised to “eventually” get into the details of the split. “Now is not the time,” she said. “I’m just trying to take things day by day.”