C2H: I think your feelings are normal. I was extremely sensitive to the things that were said and done. And for a long time after.
It took me years of therapy and finally total darkness (no contact for 5 years) that finally made me stop thinking about what he did to me and all the associated hurts.
And it has now been 10 years for me. And I saw him every day for 2 weeks last year (when our son was in ICU) and guess what? He IS a distant memory. It doesn't feel so painful anymore. Exactly what you predicted.
It all comes down to - I bruise you - you bruise me. If she bruises you and you don't react - she'll probably do it less. Yes - that was one thing I learned.
