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I mostly stayed out of fear. When he would tell me I was a selfish bitch, I would believe him. If he didn’t love me, nobody would.

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They remind you that no one else will ever love you this much.

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When emotionally abused women ask “Do emotionally abusive men know they are abusive?” their preferred answers usually start with the words: “No, they don’t.”

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You are not the words this person says. Remind yourself of that daily, until you believe it.

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There is someone better out there for you, I promise. Always remember to love yourself first. And don’t be afraid to be selfish.

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Some days I feel like driving down to my local police station and handing them a folder of the evidence I’ve collected. Other days, I feel like giving up and forgetting anything ever happened.

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I made the mistake of laughing, of trying to make light of the situation. You punched me so hard in the face that the room span.

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When your abuser is convinced, and has others convinced, he is a supporter of women’s rights and social justice, the alienation and betrayal feels all the more disquieting.