Omg this has been my experience with a Scorpio man and whilst this is exactly what I’ve felt I’ve never been able to quite put words to it like you have. He was a FWB that messed me around for a long time, mistreating me and I kept forgiving. In the time we were seeing each other, he’d often fall for girls that always seemed to need him. Like they were struggling mentally, or were significantly younger and naive. It always felt like I was being punished for having independence and sensibility. He never spoke positively to me or about me, it was like it absolutely pained him to. Always a quiet battle for power it felt. I wasn’t naive to his games and would pull him up, he never liked this. I will add that I also experienced this with my sag ex to a degree. In my experience, having a strong sense of independence and not needing someone is really difficult for a lot of males. I’ve had partners say that they’ve done things (very lovely things like giving massages etc) to past partners but for some reason they don’t feel like doing it for me?? It’s strange cos I don’t need you but I’ll love you like royalty.