By Nava Renek I should have suspected something was wrong last year during March Madness when we'd gone to a neighborhood bar to watch the Final Four. At half-time, a lively woman with short gray hair in a pixie cut wandered over and struck up a conversation with us. She seemed a little tipsy but was friendly enough, and as we continued talking, we agreed to meet her next door at another bar where she claimed a good band was playing. She said she was planning her 60th birthday, and after a few more shots of tequila, I had the feeling she was trying to pick us up. When she finally leaned into me and asked if we were monogamous, I answered “yes.” My partner said: “no.” We didn't take her up on …
After a superficial two-year courtship, calling it quits
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Annalise." Experts say date 2 years before you can fully know someone, so here's my story: Despite pouring over these websites and reading blog after blog to educate myself and heal myself, I've let another unsuspected sociopath into my life, or maybe I've know all along. So the first sociopath was an 8 month roller coaster with red flags everywhere, despite his coming off a 20 year marriage with a 15 year management job. He was on the higher end of the scale. And despite the stability with his first marriage and job: he truly was the Devil's child and it haunts me to this day. This other guy that I dated …
After a superficial two-year courtship, calling it quitsRead More
He was either the most incredible person I ever met, or a deplorable monster
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Adelaide." Names are changed. I met Joe at a bar. It was the first time I ever went out alone. I was forcing myself to do new things on my own. Trying to prove to myself I did not need a man beside me to do the things I wanted to do. After I ordered my drink I started to feel uncomfortable. I noticed a jukebox and thought it would give me some comfort to hear some music I enjoy. So, I went to put in my selections. When I turned back around I noticed someone sitting in my chair. All my belongings had been pushed to the side. But my drink remained right where I left it. I immediately got angry ... wrinkled my …
He was either the most incredible person I ever met, or a deplorable monsterRead More
It’s like the authorities are all assisting my sociopathic ex in the fraud
Editor's note: The following was written by the Lovefraud reader who posts as "Mother.Love." Married him and had 2 children. After the second child we decided I could stay home as his construction business was doing well. During that time, we remodeled a home, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and survived twice and raised 2 children with learning disabilities. He wanted to build a new home and he became involved with a "spec" house. Unbeknownst to me he took out all the equity in the first house, lied to me about paying our taxes for 5 years, refused to set me up with a retirement account but he had one, didn't pay bills for 3 years, emptied all his accounts, was cheating on me while I was …
It’s like the authorities are all assisting my sociopathic ex in the fraudRead More
How do you explain why you stayed with a sociopath?
Editor's note: The following was written by the Lovefraud reader who posts as "Seekeroflight." How do you explain why you stayed To someone who saw how badly she treated you How exhausted you were Stressed How do you admit that you saw the monster early on And yet you stayed Because the monster was willing to lie To save face To threaten, intimidate How do you explain that you chose to stay With a monster who shouted, as she kicked your friend out, Shouted to the cops and half the neighborhood That he was a "faggot and has AIDS" He doesn't...but it doesn't matter You aren't that kind of person How do you admit that you stayed With a monster who said At the dining room table That she had …
How do you explain why you stayed with a sociopath?Read More
Sociopath preys on widows and women whose husbands are dying
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Olive." The names in this story have been changed. I met Burt in July of 2013. My husband had passed away six months earlier. I was looking for company to go out to dinner, a movie, etc. He is a retired elementary schoolteacher who seemed very nice and caring. He works part time now as a substitute teacher. He had a great smile and a kind face. I am an RN who has been on long term disability since my husband became ill back in 2011. I have a son with autism who lived with me and an adopted daughter. I hoped to return to work after he passed away but was rear ended by a truck in March 2013 sustaining a …
Sociopath preys on widows and women whose husbands are dyingRead More
She pursued me, produced divorce papers, but was married the entire time
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Gretta." Many of people join groups on Facebook with similar interests to meet up with friends and potentially if we find ourselves lucky or unlucky enough in my case something more. In my particular case, it was an older lesbian group on FB. I am going to share a very private, yet painful experience that I have encountered with you all in hopes this may prevent another person from going thru the emotional, heart breaking, financial and shameful experience that I have recently encountered. First a little history about me. July of this upcoming year, will be two years since my Wife passed away suddenly. I …
She pursued me, produced divorce papers, but was married the entire timeRead More
The only divorce he will give me is on his terms
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call " Terri-Anne" I have been married close to 15 years with a sociopath from central Europe. We have three kids together. He promised me of giving our kids a good education. I always felt this marriage is somewhat strange with my husband making excuses all the time to leave the house. I only found out one year ago that my husband has been having sex with prostitutes. He dates them and gives them lots of money. He traveled with three of them; one to Utah, to Canada and five European countries. All this time he promised that everything will be fine, but it was just all a lie. Three years ago he had planned to …
He asked me what was wrong, and when I told him he became enraged
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Myra." After 2 failed marriages and one long term relationship that failed, I thought I found Prince Charming, even with the baggage that came attached. We all have it right? The key is to find someone that accepts and loves you regardless and will help you unpack that baggage. Long story short, I was hit with the realization that my partner was a narcissist on December 9, 2015, after getting into a severe argument with him over how I was feeling regarding the relationship. He asked me sweetly to tell him what was wrong, what was bothering me. Big mistake. As soon as I opened up, he became enraged and …
He asked me what was wrong, and when I told him he became enragedRead More
People have told the district attorney that my ex is going to kill me and my kids
Editor's note: Lovefraud received the following story from a reader whom we'll call "Clara." 22 years of marriage, 2 kid, 1 adopted son. Boys are now 20, daughter is 17. My ex has been arrested 6 times and now been charged with stalking and harassment. I now have lifetime no contact and he has 3 years no contact with my kids. Both of us have very good jobs, beautiful home, well known in our small town. He coached baseball and football so has been looked up to. I now realize I didn't even know the man I had been with for all these years. He had a completely separate life with separate friends. I realized this after looking thru my phone bill. I didn't know anyone on it and the ones I did …
People have told the district attorney that my ex is going to kill me and my kidsRead More