UPDATE: Narcissistic partner, struggling to cope as I am leaving.

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Congratulations on taking the big step.

You raise an interesting point, about being in a car with someone. I always thought that the best of someone's true personality is how they are behind the wheel. It should be a part of every job interview.

For relationships, it's amazing how many times I heard women say, 'I like him, but he drives like a maniac." Then they marry him, and guess what -- he turns out to be maniac.

Good luck to you. Stay strong.

How courageous! I admire you for your strength in supporting yourself and what you know to be true for you.

I also want to commend you on making a big decision about your life and especially the future that you want for yourself. It takes tremendous courage to do so and so many people are not able, it’s kind of like an addiction, I’ve been through this too and once you take the first step just keep on moving forward, don’t look back because the past is over, it’s now all about you and making new friends, planning things that you want to do, best wishes for a happier life.

You are so right; we hope and believe in the best in people. But, when somebody shows you their dark side, believe them the first time. I wish I learned it at a much younger age.

I am not that strong, I am trying to be strong. I made the first step, it is a big one, but still a long road ahead to get my life back...Thank you for your words of support.

Thank you so much for what you said, it means a lot hearing from someone who went through the same experience.
I think, I am in a frozen state right now. I think, I am not courageous, It was too painful to be treated the way I was treated. Knowing who I thought I was with and who I was with are not the same people.
I am glad you did it, amazing. I hope, as some time passes by, I can make peace with what happened. I want not to grieve too long as life is getting shorter as we get older. If there is a silver lining, the whole experience made me more resilient, more resourceful, work on myself and become a better person. I did not lose my ability to trust people and men in particular. I was unlucky, but people are mostly good.

Yes I have. I had cosmetic violence treatment and therapy about 6 years ago The dark triad traits- narcissism sociopaths machieavellianism- typo exist on a spectrum. Keep yourself safe. Fact check everything. Beware who you listen too allow in your life and allow to influence you .You are very brave. Create your future.

I typed cosmetic I met domestic. Violence.

Red tulip, it’s hard to let go
of the familiar, bad or good. But you will find each day gets easier if you focus on seeing YOURSELF as deserving a kinder and less stressful life. I always gravitated toward that sad partner who needed to be saved, rescued. Well, it’s not my job to rescue anyone and what I ended up with was a lot of heartbreak. You don’t deserve to wake up every day wondering who you are going to get: Jekyll or Hyde.
Move forward! Don’t be afraid and don’t look back. Go girl!

@redtulip54 I've been wondering how the process was coming along. Have you ever talked with a therapist? Now might be a good time. One thought running through my mind is the grief process. Leaving a dysfunctional situation could certainly cause grief, in fact you mention the sadness you feel. Care for yourself.

Jim