The second defeat happens after they regroup, after they have had time to stew in their injury, fantasize about revenge, and prepare their comeback. It is not emotional this time; it is strategic. It is cold and prolonged. It often almost works—that’s the scary part. Now, how do they launch the second attack? Once the narcissist faces the first defeat, they retreat to plot. On the surface, they may act indifferent or pretend they have moved on. There may be complete silence from their end, but behind the scenes, they’re thinking, “How can I bring this person down? How can I destroy them?” They analyze your weak points, look for legal loopholes, and contact people who may take their side. They fabricate stories and plant seeds in the minds of others. This regrouping phase is extremely dangerous. Why? Because they are quieter than usual, giving you a false sense of relief, like, “Yeah, maybe it is finally over.” But for many narcissists, it is the calm before the storm.
Once they feel ready, they launch the counterattack. This is where the narcissist’s true beast nature shows. They may file false cases, fabricate evidence, or twist events to portray themselves as the victim. They may write pages of accusations and bring false witnesses. Their aim is not truth; it is to overwhelm you. Financially, they may withhold money, stall settlements, sabotage your work, or use financial resources to drain you slowly. Some narcissists intentionally delay proceedings, hoping you will break under the pressure. Socially, they launch smear campaigns. They talk to mutual friends, relatives, and colleagues who would believe them. They twist stories to make you look unstable, vindictive, or cruel. They want to isolate you so that when the real battle happens, you stand alone. Psychologically, they may attack people you love. For example, they may hurt your children emotionally to turn friends against you or find ways to remind you that they are still watching and waiting.
Their goal is simple: they want you to believe that leaving them was a mistake. They want you to feel trapped, suffocated, and desperate.
Surviving the Onslaught
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