The person may wonder:
“What else don’t I know?”
That uncertainty can be extremely difficult.
The mother and daughter therefore weren’t simply processing one event.
They were processing the collapse of assumptions about relationships they believed they understood.
Why Manipulation Can Be Difficult to Recognize
The supplied account describes the man as someone who maintained separate relationships and kept information from both women.
If that description is accurate, it would represent a form of deception.
But it is important not to diagnose his motives without evidence.
People outside the relationship cannot know exactly what he intended.
What can be said more generally is that deception in intimate relationships can sometimes be difficult to recognize because people naturally trust information provided by someone they care about.
Trust is what allows relationships to function.
Ironically, that same trust can make deception harder to identify.
Loneliness Can Complicate Relationships
Relationship counselors sometimes point out that people can become emotionally attached during periods of loneliness, transition, or vulnerability.
