A domestic abuse survivor who became a “ghost” of her former self after years of “trauma” from living with her ex, losing more than four stone, becoming a drug addict, and nearly taking her own life, has said “you may be broken, but nothing is broken forever” as she releases a new book outlining the profound lessons her life has taught her so far.
Sam Pearce, 45, a self-publishing consultant and writer, met her ex – who she has chosen not to name, through a mutual friend while she was living in Toronto, Canada, in 2001. At first, he was her “knight in shining armour” – he was “funny, very attentive” and “perfect in every single way” – and their relationship progressed rapidly. However, gradually over time, after moving in with her, Sam said he commenced his “programme of brainwashing” and their relationship became a “nightmare”.
She said: “Play fights would get a little bit out of hand, or he would snap at me for something, but always immediately after there was profound apology – ‘I’d never hurt you intentionally’, or, ‘I don’t know my own strength’ – all of those typical excuses that you hear.”
