Has anyone had experience with a manipulative partner?

[Charlies46]

Hi all I’m referring to my other thread I have started regarding my husband wanting to end our marriage after 20 years... I just want to know has anyone experienced a bad marriage or relationship where their partner is very manipulative and how did you deal with someone like this ?? I’m at a loss as there are kids involved (albeit now adults) at 19 and 21 sorry don’t know how to link to my previous thread

I just replied in your other thread. I feel your pain and have lost my fight, too. Marriage shouldn't be about fighting, selfishness, etc.

Waking up to gaslighting and manipulation can feel like we are stupid and fools. We are not.

We see what we want to see, we try to smooth things over, to make peace, all the while losing ourselves bit by bit. It doesn't work forever.

From what you wrote in the other thread, it seems like you knew about his multiple affairs, his secret daughter, his selfishness. Knowing and trying to explain it away?

Why don't you want to free yourself from this situation? He has had years to change his ways and has not.

Accept or free yourself. You are worthy whichever you decide. Love yourself, be kind to yourself. Wishing you all the best.

My ex was manipulative and emotionally and verbally abusive.

In the end, after many painful years of being too scared to do it, I divorced him with the help of a solicitor. I could not have done it without her help.

I hoped for a long time that things would change, but they didn’t. In fact they got worse.