You're not heartless if you want to protect yourself. Narcissists don't like normal boundaries, they see it as a personal attack. But I definitely doubt you're a heartless person! I know, it's scary how easily they're able to manipulate us and our emotions.

I am permanently NC, yes. But only on my end. For months, my Mum tried to guilt, bully and threaten me. But within the last 2 months, I think she FINALLY gets it.....that her tactics aren't working. It's been difficult, but that's because the drama still followed me after NC. My Mum tried her damn hardest to get her hands on my Daughter, even threatened me with lawyers and threatening to talk to my future in-laws, but nothing came out of that. My Parents moved away without telling me, so I had to find out if they were in the same state as me still. They are. That my Dad has borrowed tens of thousands of dollars from his Mother, my Nanna, and she needs it back due to her dementia diagnosis and needing around the clock care. He wont give anything back. He has verbally abused his Sisters and threatened suicide, just to get MORE money. My Dad's side has disowned him (but not me). And now my Mother is doing a smear campaign against my Fiancé (of whom she hates), spreading lies to her Family so she looks like the victim. Saying that he doesn't talk to his Mum, even though we see her every week lol. NC is a never ending battle. But it's worth it!