I fully agree with Polaris here! Let me share that drink, please...

The reason why they don´t say "You must not do this anymore" is that if they did, they would be asked for a sensible explanation (which of course does not exist).

So they badmouth your friends. If you stop seeing them, all is good (hello, irony). For if you continue seeing them, they will first shout, then threat, and if that does not help, act injured and hurt by your "inconsiderate" behaviour. If you still keep seeing them now (=disobey...), they will at some point lose their self control and hurt you physically (and be it only to make you shut the fuck up FINALLY AT LEAST ONCE).

My only piece of advice for anyone in contact with a control freak is: RUN while there is still time.

And someone else in here once said a beautiful thing:
"If it feels wrong - it most likely IS wrong."

A word of comfort, too: If you managed to get rid of a control freak once, you will in the future be VERY aware of the typical signs, and it is not likely you will fall for one again.

Kind regards
Arria