The long saga is finally almost over. Ex agreed to the settlement offer (while complaining to my attorney it was $30k less than he should get), signed, then I signed days later. 

Ex is a covert narc IMO, and continues to drive by. Until he moved an hour away for a new job last month. He still comes to town & drives by on his days off. Mutual friend shared that he was very upset when a lifelong friend of mine, who has a big truck, stayed with me most of January. He was angry, thinking I had a boyfriend who moved in, since my friends' truck was parked out front & she parked it in my driveway a couple of times. The mutual friend doesn't share info about me but she did tell him it was my friend, not a new man (not that it's ex's business if I did have a new man) to calm him down. He told her he drove by my house every morning this past year - I only saw him once, six months ago when driving back from an early morning chiropractor appointment. He was frowning in his new truck (=traded in the famed Midlife Crisis Car for a brand new truck a few months before he got fired) that morning, and I found out days later that he'd just gotten fired. So until last month, I was blissfuly ignorant that the drive-bys were still happening and that they were daily. 

The love-bombing also continues. He's dropped off a few memories & notes, and dropped off a valentine card last month with a two-page letter. Among other things he wrote that he "has a StepUltimate-size hole in his heart that just won't heal." That got to me because it made me remember & miss the person I thought he was, before I found out the hard way that he's a selfish, lying, gaslighting, angry, arrogant, complaining man-baby. 

However, hearing the disguest and astonishment of our mutual friends about his spending & chronic victimitis, plus reading all his emails to my attorney (lying about marital property that's actually mine, and impatiently thirsty for $ettlement $$$$) kept my head on straight. The feelings pass - there's no way out but through. I am okay. I have strong, true friendships and faith in God. I have a good life. I have freedom from anger, resentment, and bitterness - that is a gift. My home is drama & anger-free. Nobody's using me, accusing me, raging at me, or gaslighting me anymore. There's nobody close in my life that isn't trustworthy.

It was hard, yet I remain. Thank you to all the STeptalkers who have encouraged me & shared your wisdom, compassion, experience, and humor with me. I haven't blogged in long time, and wanted to give you this update. It's been quite a journey, and I am so thankful for this community.