She sat on my couch, tears glistening in her eyes, her voice shaking as she spoke.

"The man I dated before you... he used to beat me. He cheated and left me for another girl. It hurt me so much."

I felt my heart twist. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, reaching for her hand. "I promise to be a better man."

She nodded, leaning into me, seeking comfort, seeking safety. And for months, I gave her just that. I was gentle, considerate, always putting her needs first. But then one evening, she sighed heavily, arms crossed, a distant look in her eyes.

"This relationship is not exciting," she muttered.

I frowned, confused. "What do you want us to do to make it more exciting?" I asked.

She shrugged. No answer. So I decided to figure it out on my own. I planned spontaneous dates, surprised her with gifts, took her to places she had never been. I did everything I could to inject some thrill into our relationship. And then, one evening, after a beautiful dinner, I asked her, "Is it still boring?"

She nodded without hesitation. "Yes, it is."

I was flabbergasted. What did she want?

That night, when I tried to make love to her, she turned away.

"Not tonight," she said.

I didn't push. I respected her wishes, rolled over, and went to sleep. The next morning, she erupted.

"This is what I don't like about you!" she spat, her hands clenched into fists. "You're too gentle, too laidback. Can't you be aggressive, just a little?"

I stared at her, baffled. "What do you mean?"

She scoffed. "When I said no last night, you didn’t even try to force me. You just stopped. You’re too boring."

I was stunned. Was that what she meant by boring?

Another night at my place, she was glued to her phone. It was late, and I was exhausted.

"Come to bed," I said.

She ignored me.

So, I went to bed alone. The next morning, another explosion.

"Why do you let me walk all over you?!" she screamed. "Why don’t you be more firm? More assertive? I like my men to put me in my place. You’re just too soft!"

I shook my head. She wanted drama. She wanted something toxic. Something I couldn’t give.

And yet, I stayed. I stayed even when she called me weak. I stayed even when I started blaming myself for not being what she wanted. But then I met Bertha.

I started showing interest in her, and suddenly, Eva changed.

She fought for my attention. She went through my phone. She picked fights. Now, suddenly, I wasn’t boring anymore. One day, she even called Bertha, trying to start a fight.

Bertha shut it down immediately. "Please stay away from me. I want no part in this drama."

That was the moment my brain hit reset.

I didn’t want the drama either. Why not be with someone who also didn’t want the drama?

I told Eva I was leaving. And to my surprise, she broke down. She cried. She begged. She pleaded for me to stay. And like a fool, I did. I let Bertha go and stayed with Eva.

But I realized something: the moment Eva got comfortable, she started to mess up again.

So I did what I thought would keep her on her toes. I started talking to other girls. I started yelling at her. I became more aggressive. And she loved it.

She thrived in the chaos, in the fights, in the toxicity.

But I didn’t.

I looked in the mirror one day and didn’t recognize myself. This wasn’t who I was. I didn’t like the drama. I didn’t like the man I was becoming.

So, this time, I left. Not for another girl. Not to prove a point.

I left for my sanity.

And where is Eva now?

Back with her toxic ex.