For 23 years, I stayed with a man who hurt me. Not just with his fists, but with every lie, every betrayal, and every moment he made me feel small, worthless, or invisible.
He cheated on me constantly, as if my love, loyalty, and endurance were disposable.
And for 23 years, I believed that somehow, I wasn’t enough — that if I just loved harder, stayed quieter, or forgave more quickly, things would change.
They didn’t.
I lost myself in the chaos of survival. The woman I used to be — full of hope, dreams, and light — got buried under the weight of bruises, broken promises, and silent screams.
I became good at hiding things. Hiding the pain. Hiding the truth. Hiding my need to be seen and heard and loved in a way that didn’t come with fear attached.
But let me tell you something that abuse tries to make you forget: your strength never leaves you. It just gets quiet when survival is loud.
Leaving wasn’t easy. It wasn’t dramatic like in the movies. It was slow. It was terrifying. It was years of planning emotional exits long before the physical one.
It was staring at myself in the mirror and asking, “Is this really all I deserve?” until I finally answered, “No.”
It took me 23 years, but I walked away. And that walk? That was the bravest step I’ve ever taken.
Not just away from him, but toward myself. Toward healing. Toward freedom. Toward peace.
To anyone reading this who feels trapped, confused, or ashamed for not leaving sooner — please know this: There is no expiration date on reclaiming your life. You don’t owe anyone a timeline. You only owe yourself a chance.
I am not just a survivor. I am a woman who rose from the ashes of her pain and started writing her own story again — this time, with love, truth, and power on every page.
If it took you 5 months, 5 years, or 25 years — you still made it. And that makes you unstoppable.
Copyright 2025
Crystal Amon
Princess Crystal Says 
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