The Mask Slipping

Let me tell you first how the relationship starts. You will enter the relationship thinking they love you, because they call you their soulmate and best friend. They shower you with attention, affection, tell you they've never met anyone like you before, they want to spend the rest of their life with you.... essentially, you think you hit the lottery. 

After a short time, usually within the first few months, you will notice behaviors you hadn't seen before. They will start to criticize little things about who you are, how you act, traits that are wholly you. But you overlook the flags, because you want that "wonderful" person. And you continue to ignore the signs. 

Now you are the source of their misery. They will run hot and cold, leaving you confused. They will try to make you believe everything is your fault. They will make demands, pout, threaten to leave, and dangle a carrot in front of you. They tell you that it's your fault they are treating you this way, and if you do this, or that - that "amazing person" they were at the beginning will return. This will turn out to be the absolute biggest lie you've ever been told. 

You may doubt that you are a bad person. Then, they will suddenly give you a great gift or make plans for the future, fueling hope back into you, only to rip it to shreds after a short time.

You will doubt yourself, you will not understand what is happening with you.

They will try to make you feel again that you are wrong. You will feel depressed, on edge, & physically weak.

You may start to get physically sick. You will be engaged in nonsensical battles in which you will not be heard.

You won't even know WTF that conversation was about. In any argument, they will always bring up something in the past and call you inconsiderate.

You will find yourself apologizing for things you don't need to apologize for.

One day, you realize, you have no idea who that person is. They are a complete stranger.

You won't realize until the end, that they have been lying to you from the beginning. You were in love with a complete illusion, a lie, a fraud, a racket, a scam, a con-man!

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