You are doing so well FireWoman! Keep strong. Do not worry about "why" you do something, just keep your focus on working on your self-esteem and be proud of your commitment to ending the cycle of abuse and have a better life.

Having good self esteem will make the "why" questions seem a bit ridiculous too. Don't think anymore about what he is doing or saying, you know what you are doing and that's all that is important. If people "believe" him, you don't want to be friends with those people anyway, anyone who "takes sides" due to someone's complaints and whining instead of knowing the people involved well and their character and actions aren't friends. He can call you whatever he wants; you know you are not that and that's all that matters. That is what self esteem is; knowing who you are and working on your life to make it the best you can for yourself.