Sheri, thank you for this. Indeed, this is the hardest part; to realize that I was just supply. I started to realize this after 22 years of being married. I was incredibly attached and bonded to this man. I had given everything to him and he had taken advantage of me for over 2 decades. When I realized that it was not me who could not love, I was free! I was free to look at my life as person who could love, and receive love, but who had not been able to, inside the context of my then-current relationship. As I try to exit that marriage, things continue to be messy and violent, with him taking every opportunity to try to hurt me; trying to take the kids, not mediating, airing all dirty laundry (he has to be pretty creative here), and showing off his cute very young girlfriend. It has been awful, but we all know who he is now. Sad, but true, we are all seeking safety from the manipulation, shaming and gaslighting that have been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Thanks again. This is the best representation of my relationship with a covert narcissist I have ever read.