He hung in tatters above her, wielding guilt like a weapon. Twisting the blade a cruel turn, he accused her of terrible betrayals. He flung her love across the room, demanding she confess her infidelities and deceptions.
The more she struggled to convince him of her devotion, the more fiercely he denied it. Tearing at his humanity, shredding it with each dagger of doubt, there would soon be nothing left of him.
She refused to believe he used his madness to manipulate her. In moments of lucidity, he would weep and repent. Revealing a glimpse of the man he once was, only to transmute into Hyde at the slightest perceived transgression.
It was those simple moments that she clung to, praying for a way to sustain that familiar fragment of him. She nurtured it like one of her passion flowers, fragile yet beautiful. Feeding it sweet endearments, and morsels of acquiescence, she waited patiently for it to bloom again, waited for the perfume of passion again.
At night, while she slept in an uneasy bed, he watched her. Marveling at the frown she held even in her dreams. A smile of recognition danced across his face with her every fearful twitch and whimper. She was close to breaking. Her need to fix him was stronger than her need to save herself.
It was so effortless. His only regret was having to do this again with another once he’d used her up.
Thin spiral notebook 
Love how you can get to POVs in this piece. Love how she compares him to a flower, a passion flower of all things. Last line – perfect.
LikeLike
This: He flung her love across the room. Whoa!
It’s always better, in couples therapy, to have both points of view. lol
The last line! I have believed this of more than one ‘significant other’.
Fantastic story, Tara!
LikeLike
oh my gosh, that’s so horrible! but so beautifully written.
LikeLike
He’s right! Finding that next victim is always a pain. Good write!
LikeLike
Yikes! You’ve created a monster. And elegantly depicted the victim. This left me angry and frustrated, for what’s surely to come. Well-done!
LikeLike
Fantastic! The way you described everything, from the dagger to the flower, absolutely fantastic! This is a very strong piece.
LikeLike
I like Marie’s answer.
Some people are so manipulative you never notice, until you’re hanging in tatters.
it was…well it was harrowing and made my stomach clench. (which probably means it was good 😉 )
LikeLike
I believe there are people, male and female, who are inherently evil. Who play other people like pawns in their own warped games.
LikeLike
Strong first line. He’s using more than guilt.
LikeLike
Oh the bastard!
LikeLike
A powerful piece of writing with a brilliant last line.
LikeLike