I uprooted my life to climb out of that situation.

I said goodbye to my job, my mother, and only three friends I've ever had. I gave up everything to be out of reach from people like him. Vain. Abusive. People who override and discard your desires for their own, who only want what they can get out of having changed you.

Thursday we sat in that car for a solid twenty minutes while the two of us were subjected to every mistake, every failure, every flaw he could dig up for the sole purpose of making us feel worse about ourselves. You broke down not a minute after we got into the car and howled in agony.

And you're trying to tell me you don't see it.

You don't see the way she invalidates you in conversation.

You don't see the way she puts you down at every turn.

You don't hear every single friend you've ever made murmuring to each other the moment she leaves the room.

You don't put credence to the fact she is trying to change you?

I saw what happened to Mom.

Don't make me watch this happen to you too.