I first met him 15 years ago. He seemed to take a keen interest in me right from the start. He made the first move—asking if I was okay, checking in, showing what seemed like genuine concern. Then he asked me out on a date.

I was only 20 years old. Still so young. Technically an adult, but in many ways, not fully developed mentally or emotionally. Like so many at that age, I was still trying to figure out who I was, what I wanted, and what love was supposed to look like.

Looking back now, I can see how easily I could be influenced—how much I wanted to feel seen, wanted, and cared for. What I didn’t realise then was that what started as attention would slowly turn into control.

I didn’t realise that what started as control would twist itself into rage—silent at first, then sharp enough to cut through my sense of self. I didn’t see it coming, how slowly I’d be stripped down, until I didn’t even recognise who I was anymore. I thought I was just in a relationship. I didn’t know I was stepping into a war zone.

I wasn’t prepared for the aftermath either for how he wouldn’t let go, how he’d send others after me, how his friends his flying monkeys would watch me, follow me, report back. It wasn’t just him I had to survive. It was the whole circle of control, the web he spun that extended far beyond our time together.

At the end, I thought I’d walk away broken, but free. Instead, I walked into a new kind of prison: being watched, doubted, haunted. But even in that, I’ve begun to rebuild. Piece by piece, I’m learning who I am again outside of his control, outside of their games.

Not only am I learning who I am, but I'm also starting to see who my true friends are  who I can truly trust. All I want is peace and happiness.

Through the journey of finding myself, I’ve also found out who was really there for me. I’ve seen who was quick to take sides during the breakdown of my relationship, and who chose to get involved in ways that only made things harder.

But I will never stop fighting for the justice that me and my boys deserve.

He and his flying monkeys can try to tear me down. They can try to destroy me, try to leave me with nothing. But I will never give up. I will keep going. I will continue rising. And I will always make myself stronger.