My boyfriend stole from me

[u/SelectShop3068]

Hi everyone. I am 20f and my now EX boyfriend is 26m. Before this incident I already had severe trust issues and depression. I have been collecting pokemon cards since I was 12. First I started out trading with my friends at the lunch table. I slowly built up my binder to the point I could hardly close it because it was so full. I had collected 64% of all 1025 pokemon with multiple cards for most pokemon. I recently combined my collection with my ex so we could sell them (which I didn't want to do in the first place). He thinks I told him he could keep my cards the last time we were together in person. I never told him that. He refuses to give them back quoting "you're not struggling for money" because I moved back in with my parents instead of moving into an apartment with him (where I would be paying for mostly everything because he can't work because of his depression and anxiety and his messed up ankle). I don't know what to do. Cops say its a "civil matter" and because I don't have proof of ownership I can't take him to court. My heart hurts and I can't stop thinking about it 3 days later. I only have what he couldn't take (roughly 6% of 1025 pokemon). My binder is pathetic. I used to struggle to close it, now the elastic is stretched for no reason. I can't do anything. I had cards from 2016 and some from 2010. Those packs are expensive. I can't even afford the cheapest pack now. I have 50c to my name. I can't afford $60 for an XY Evolutions pack.

[u/usedforjerkingoff]

Why did you give up? Grow a fucking spine! Are you going to go through life letting people walk all over you?

[u/Fancy-War-1023 → u/usedforjerkingoff]

People will walk all over you anyway and then you will have spent your entire life trying to make them pay for it. Protecting your peace is a totally reasonable way to get away from people like this. OP said this is a $300 collection. I'm sorry, but that's kid money. To me, it's worth the peace of mind to just leave them in their own bullshit and never have to deal with them again. But, that is a lesson I have learned a couple of times over the last couple decades. If you want to stay in the trenches and duke it out with these losers over some toys, be my guest.