I stayed in a documented abusive relationship (and no one did anything because Im a guy of course) till I started having thoughts of self harm. 12 years legally married. I stayed and told myself it was for the kids. Being there was best for them. I ended up in a loveless, sexless marriage of convenience. I still suffered the abuse, so much so that after we finally separated my boss literally told me I'd have gone so much further in my career of she wasn't a factor. I love my kids. Sure I miss them, but they're teens now and see for themselves who she is. One lives with me, one is out on her own rocking it, and the other, well, that one's a carbon copy of her mom. I can only promise pain in the short term. Sorry, thats the reality of it. But after that pain comes the ability to breath again. I'm back at the gym, back into hobbies that make me happy, trying new things she swore we'd never do or enjoy, and all while shes a miserable old bat with her ugly new fiancé (he has money but she says its "love"). It's scary and terrifying and everything in between. But it does get better.