You think it can't and won't happen to you. So did I.

Trigger warnings ahead.

After escaping the extreme grip of an abusive narcissist who tried to destroy my life, I believed I'd found my happily ever after--but it was all a twisted reality of lies and deceit.

A charming sociopath--a master of disguise--targeted me, and I fell in love with the mask he hid behind. By the time I realized that he had lied about everything, he had spent my entire life savings, run me into massive debt, ruined my near-perfect credit, defrauded my parents out of almost a quarter of their retirement savings, and totally destroyed my career and life.

This shocking true story not only offers a cautionary tale but also empowers others to recognize the signs of toxic relationships. Because if you don't learn your lesson the first time, it will repeat itself louder and louder until you can no longer ignore it.