Reply To: “My Former Client Broke My Heart”

And finally:

Now, I’m left wondering if he was manipulating me all along—being sweet to keep me around while sleeping with me—or if he’s genuinely confused.

No, he was just always the kind of guy who wants one-sided love and adoration from women, who dates sex workers while married (which he still is!) because they are offering him an experience that he wants and it’s *transactional*, and who, if he knows you love and care for him, will reach out from time to time for a bit of that dopamine. He dated you for a few months and was able to sort of cosplay love and affection, but it wasn’t really there. He just wanted what you could give him. But manipulation? No, I think it was all evident from the beginning that this guy was not available for a relationship.

What you do now is block and delete HIM, so he can’t ever contact you. And you don’t ever contact him. And read all the books about recognizing signs of men who are bad for you. Do some therapy if you can afford it to better understand what you want and how to find it. I’m sorry.