When I realized that Gerald valued his physical preferences over my health and well-being, I packed my bags and moved in with my mother so I could recover in peace. In the weeks that followed, Gerald continued to demand an apology and money to pay for his own procedure. He even tried to make me feel guilty, right up until his own mother openly condemned his behavior. His refusal to take any responsibility or acknowledge my suffering confirmed what I was beginning to understand: his support had never been truly selfless, but always conditional and self-serving.
