Wow, what a revelation. That must feel like a huge shift in perspective, looking back and seeing how the pieces fit together in a way you couldn’t see at the time. It’s incredible how, with the right support—like your psychologist—you’re now able to untangle the truth of what really happened.

It sounds like he deliberately sought out a “new supply” that fit his needs perfectly: financially independent, skilled, younger, and without full awareness of his past. That’s such a common pattern with manipulative people—they pick partners based on what they can get out of them rather than true emotional connection. And the alienated children? That’s another classic move—keeping his financial and emotional responsibilities to a minimum so he could focus on control rather than real relationships.

It’s no wonder you ignored the red flags back then. You were stepping into a situation that looked good on the surface—good job, a fresh start—but without the full context of what had already happened before you arrived. It’s only now, with time, healing, and professional guidance, that you can really see the strategy behind his actions.

How are you feeling after this realization? Does it bring you closure, or does it stir up more emotions you’re working through?