I really feel that's well said, Jeanette
I find, with myself anyway, while I asking that same question...
Though I
should have known, that, that was when enough was enough, etc.,
In the back of my mind, and even as I stood there in court for an order of protection. The court judge told me:
"Ms. (blank), these things usually end in divorce..."
My response at the time was:
"But I don't really want a divorce, I just want him to stop..."
I stood there in the middle of that empty giant courtroom head down, (kind of gross) but running nose down to my chin, felt really pathetic.
I had no idea what I was up against or rather
chose not to believe, just what it would take to end the cycle once and for all, I'd gotten myself into