Hand in hand with hoovering is playing the victim. They will try to rewrite the narrative, convincing you that you were the perpetrator and that they had to behave in this way because of you. They may claim that you made them act out and that you’re partially to blame. They will assert that you cannot be with anyone else and that they are the only ones for you.
When they realize their tactics aren’t working, they will portray themselves as victims to garner your sympathy, appealing to your good nature and kindness. They might even share their story with others to seek validation and sympathy, putting you down in the process. This smear campaign helps them maintain their victim status, making them look like the person who tried everything.
Indifference
Next comes indifference. They may act as if they don’t care, but this is often a pretense. In reality, they care because they’ve lost your attention and validation, reminding them of their inadequacy. They may detach themselves from this hurt because feeling anything would remind them of their flaws.
Emotional Collapse
This leads to an emotional collapse—the realization that you’re not coming back. They may never admit it, but deep down, they suffer from this collapse. You have taken control, showing them that their attempts to manipulate you haven’t worked. They cannot cope with this loss, which is why they might shut themselves away from the world.
Resentment
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