By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate
There’s a certain kind of marriage or relationship where love isn’t the foundation—it’s status. In these unions, one or both partners are not driven by emotional connection, shared values, or companionship, but by the desire to climb the social ladder. They aim to gain prestige, wealth, influence, or entry into exclusive circles. These are what some call social climbing marriages, and they can be incredibly damaging to anyone caught in the crossfire.
Looking back, it’s become painfully clear that the events of the past year were not random—they were orchestrated. Every betrayal, every manipulation, and every silence fits into a much larger plan.
His children, who once pretended to care, suddenly abandoned me, turned cold, or started rewriting the narrative of the past to erase his behavior. They weren’t just protecting him—they were protecting the future he was carefully constructing. A future that didn’t include me.
Everything—from the pressure to drop the court case, to the gaslighting attempts to make me question my reality, to the current push to force the sale of our home—was part of a calculated effort. Not to make peace. Not to move on. But to clear the way. To erase any trace of what really happened, to secure the illusion of respectability, and to make space—quite literally—for someone else. Someone who might better serve their ambitions. Someone wealthier, more connected. Someone who fits the image they’re desperate to uphold.
I now see that this wasn’t just emotional abuse—it was strategic abuse. The kind that’s meant to destabilize, discredit, and ultimately dispose of a person once they’re no longer useful to the social agenda.
But here’s what they didn’t count on: I see it now. I see all of it. And I will not be erased, silenced, or shamed. My truth doesn’t go away just because it’s inconvenient to their plans.
— Linda C J Turner
Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment
