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Infidelity

How do I leave when they threaten self-harm?

2

We've been together 3 years, and I told her I can't marry without a house — my family will be shame if I bring wife home to live with parents. She said she doesn't care, but then when I said maybe we should stop, she cried and said she'd cut herself. I don't want to make him shame but I'm so stuck. I cannot say directly but... I've already been seeing someone else, just to feel free for once. She found out, screamed, then sent me a photo of her wrist with a small cut. I feel like a monster for causing that, but also — I'm drowning. We live in Hanoi, my parents ask every week when wedding is. Every time they ask, I feel like I failed. She says if I leave, she won't eat, she'll make herself sick. I keep staying, but I wake up empty. I don't know if I'm the bad one or just trapped. Part of me hopes she'll let go, but she won't. How do you leave when the person uses pain like that?

  • toxic-relationship
  • red-flags
  • loneliness

D
Asked by

Duc Nguyen

10 rep
7 days ago
9 views
1 answer
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Key Takeaways

  • i’ve been there. my ex would say she’d overdose if i left. i stayed for months cause i thought i was the only one keeping her alive. turns out, i...

1 Answer

  1. 0

    S

    Samantha Wilson

    0 rep
    6 days ago

    i’ve been there. my ex would say she’d overdose if i left. i stayed for months cause i thought i was the only one keeping her alive. turns out, i wasn’t helping—i was just scared. the cutting thing? that’s manipulation, even if she’s hurting. doesn’t make it okay to leave, but you can’t live hostage to someone’s threats. so here’s what i did: i stopped talking about leaving one-on-one. instead, i wrote her a short letter—handed it over, then blocked her for 48 hours. gave her space, gave me space. during that time, i called her best friend (not to spy, just to say 'hey, she might reach out, i hope she’s okay'). someone else needs to hold that concern, not just you. you’re not a monster for wanting out. the fact you care this much proves you’re not cold—you’re trapped. but seeing someone else while still in it? that just adds guilt. stop that. choose one life, leave clean. and get help—like talk to a counselor before you do anything. not for her. for you. trauma doesn’t heal in silence.

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