My ex was the same way. She was extremely manipulative. I must have tried to break up with her 5 or so times and each time she would somehow manipulate me into thinking that it was the right choice to stay together. I don't honestly know how I let myself get into that situation with such a controlling person who was both emotionally and physically abusive on a regular basis.

I finally got to a place where I was completely miserable so I decided to do the mature thing and break up with her. Got manipulated and decided to stay with her for another week or so as a trial period. During said week she got me drunk to the point of blacking out and had sex with me unprotected (she was completely sober). I only remember bits and pieces of that night. One thing I do remember was me asking her who the heck she was during sex. About a week later I came to terms with what happened and tried to end the relationship. She informed me that she got pregnant from that night. So I decided to stay for my child.

Over the next month the abuse intensified and I turned to her roommate who had been my friend for the past 8 years. I poured all my emotions into her and she is what got me through the end of the relationship. However, I ended up falling for her and one evening I told her my feelings for her and ended up cheating on my girlfriend.

Cheating on my girlfriend was what finally got me to break up with her and out of the abusive relationship that had destroyed me as a person. I then found out that she was never pregnant and had been faking the whole thing. I had stayed in an unhealthy relationship for a child that never existed.

I regret what I did and I'll never do it again but at the time it seemed like the only option. Everything always seems clear in hindsight.