This is almost unheard of—narcissists don’t usually admit their wrongdoings. But a covert narcissist will, especially when they feel threatened by the possibility of losing their source of supply. They won’t give you a vague apology like, “I’m sorry for everything.” Instead, they will detail exactly what they did wrong, such as, “I lied to you on this occasion. I cheated on you with this person.”
Though this admission of wrongdoing may seem like a breakthrough, it’s actually a manipulation tactic. After acknowledging their mistakes and getting you back, their behavior quickly reverts. Within a short period, they’ll say, “You forgave me, so why can’t you just move on? This is who I am.” They’ll promise to work on themselves or the relationship, but it’s a false hope. Soon, you’ll see the same destructive behavior, only worse.
