No matter how many times people force you to blame yourself, don't ever give in. It wasn't their battle and they weren't the ones struggling to come up, so it's not the people who have a say in this.

You look at all the happy memories you share with the person who abused you, and wonder if you imagined the abuse. Or if you overreacted.

Reject those 'honorable' codes forced upon you by the culture that refuses to see you, honour you, value you, and support you.

But this moment is not forever. You have already taken the first steps towards the light. You have spoken up, called out the abuser, and begin to set your boundaries.

No one else gets to decide forgiveness on your behalf. No one else gets to tell you how to process your trauma. No one gets to police what you say or how you say it, or what you do.