This dude is, at the minimum, an asshole, and I'd go so far as to say at least this side of emotionally abusive. LW goes well out of their way to justify and explain his shittiness, but there is no justification for this.

And you know, if he doesn't want to be close to his kids that's his deal, but given the fucked up way he treats LW over it I kinda want LW to reach out to the stepkids and ask if they're okay.