SageMother

Since you have been together for quite a while, without being married, it seems the bf intends to have the upper hand in the relationship, with his doing what he chooses and you being available to wash his socks or something similar.

There's no real reason you should accpet what he has done, or forgive him, because there hasn't been that last step into the commitment of marriage.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he can do as he wishes, because the two of you are not married. I don't see that changing regardless of how heartfelt his apologies might be. This may be why he hasn't wanted to marry.

It is time you decide if you want to live with this disadvantage or not.

Life is short. In your shoes, I would be moving on and finding a fellow who treats me as his equal, and a his wife.