Mercenary behavior reveals itself when someone close takes advantage of your vulnerability instead of protecting it. They benefit from your confusion, your pain, or your need—while offering just enough kindness to avoid scrutiny. When you hear stories that make your stomach drop, those are not coincidences; they are warnings. Red flags are not inconveniences to explain away—they are information. Ignoring them doesn’t make you compassionate; it makes you exposed. Pay attention to patterns, not promises. People show you who they are long before they admit it.
Mercenary behavior is when someone profits from your vulnerability. If the stories don’t add up and the red flags keep appearing, believe what you’re seeing. Red flags aren’t drama—they’re data. Never ignore them.
