Love Restored: A Story of Resilience, Healing, and Finding True Love (Untold Survivor stories)

For years, "Ava" built her life with strength and determination. A successful entrepreneur and professional athlete, she was thriving—pushing her business forward, competing at the highest levels, and expanding her brand. Then, she met someone via social media and her place of work who seemed to admire her ambition, who reflected back the dreams she had for herself.

At first, it felt like love. But what started as admiration slowly turned into control, manipulation, and fear.

The Slow Descent into Abuse

Ava’s partner initially showered her with affection, but over time, subtle warning signs emerged. It started with emotional manipulation—making her feel guilty for dressing up, questioning her loyalty, and isolating her.

“If I got ready for the day, he made me feel like I was trying to impress someone else. Eventually, I stopped putting on makeup, stopped doing my hair, covered myself in baggy clothes—just so he wouldn’t accuse me of seeking attention from others.”

Then, his addictions returned. When Ava met him, he had temporarily quit drugs and alcohol to focus on bodybuilding. But as soon as he left the sport, his old vices resurfaced, and his anger and control intensified.

He was a sex addict, demanding more than Ava could ever give. He was also violent toward their dogs, taking out his frustrations on the animals whenever he lost control.

“He never physically hit me, but he abused our dogs. He would hit, throw, and choke them when he was mad.”

The emotional abuse escalated, but the final breaking point wasn’t what he did to her—it was what he did to their innocent puppy.

The Breaking Point: A House He Would Never Own

Ava had been the sole provider in their relationship—paying the rent, covering necessities, and ensuring their survival while his money fed his addictions. When she made the decision to buy a house, she knew she couldn’t risk tying him to it. She asked him to sign a disclaimer deed, ensuring he had no legal claim to the home.

That moment shattered his illusion of control.

Blinded by rage, he turned to the one thing he knew would hurt her most—their new puppy. In an uncontrollable fit of anger, he struck the puppy over and over again, throwing him into his kennel with no regard for its safety.

“The next day, he asked me why his hand hurt so bad… as if he had already forgotten what he had done.”

The violence escalated further when he physically blocked her from leaving the house, trapping her in a situation where she felt completely powerless.

Ava had a panic attack. That moment, she realized: if she didn’t leave now, she might not make it out at all.

Finding the Courage to Walk Away

For years, Ava stayed silent. She didn’t want people to judge him, holding onto the hope that he would change. Every time he relapsed, he promised it was the last time—but it never was.

Then, reality hit. One of her mother’s closest friends was killed by her abusive partner. She could no longer ignore what was happening—she could be next.

She finally confided in her mother, and for the first time, someone validated what she had been enduring.

“I had been made to believe for so long that I was the problem. Speaking it out loud helped me realize that everything I felt was real—that his manipulations were his way of keeping control over me.”

With her mother’s encouragement, Ava filed a restraining order, packed her things, and left.

Rebuilding & Finding Love Again

Leaving wasn’t the end of the journey. Years of abuse had rewired her brain, making her doubt her worth, her ability to love, and whether she would ever find happiness again.

She sought healing through brain integration therapy, which helped her repair the subconscious damage caused by trauma.

“I had neuro pathways that weren’t functioning properly due to the trauma I went through. Reprogramming them helped me recognize red flags, trust my intuition, and, most importantly, let myself receive love again.”

Slowly, she rebuilt her life. And then, love found her.

“I had to love myself first before I could let someone else love me. I did the work, I got clear on what I wanted, and I refused to settle.”

She met a man who was patient, kind, and safe. A man who didn’t demand control, who didn’t take her power away—but instead, empowered her.

Now, she is happily engaged, just one month away from marrying the love of her life.

“Before, I worked constantly just to avoid being home. Now, I have balance. I still am my own boss and have a successful business and company. I have a partner who makes me feel safe. And I finally understand what love is supposed to feel like.”

What helped the most?

"Not being afraid to share what was going on in my life with someone I trusted who let me know what was happening was not normal or okay. Community support is everything after going through an abusive relationship. It helps you connect, build trust and also not feel so alone after going through something so traumatic. It also is very inspiring to talk with others who have been through the trauma and see how life can change when you let go of the past baggage and begin to trust and let someone who is nurturing, kind, compassionate and who genuinely a good person in again. Programs like Becoming Whole that offers peer support and expression is a missing link to the current systems. I was lucky enough to be financially stable to have the ability to leave but some don't. Becoming Grace Foundation offering two of the biggest challenges can be life changing for those who don't have the same resources I had. "

A Message from Ava for Those Who Are Still Stuck

💜 "If you don’t feel safe. Get out. Let other people know what is going on around you. Even if it is one person you trust as an unbiased party. Open up, communicate and if you feel something is off, trust your intuition because it probably is. You have an experience that most people should not ever have to experience. So use that life experience to remind you of a past that you should never have to endure again and also don’t settle for anything less than what you want in life. There are amazing, loving and caring people out there that deserve someone as loving, amazing and caring as you. Trust that, trust yourself and there is hope and happiness on the other side."

Ava’s story is a testament to resilience, healing, and the power of reclaiming your worth. You are not damaged. You are not broken. And one day, you will find a love that doesn’t ask you to shrink, but allows you to shine.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, Becoming Grace Foundation is here to help. You are not alone. Visit https://www.becominggracefoundation.org/get-help to access support, community, and resources.