On the Ones Who Hurt Us the Most

Sometimes, the people who hurt us the most are not strangers.
They are the ones closest to us.

The ones who know our silences, our fears, our stories.
The ones who know exactly where to touch — because once, we allowed them in.

And maybe that’s what hurts the most:
not the wound itself, but the trust that existed before it.

Over time, I learned that closeness is not the same as care.
And intimacy does not guarantee loyalty.

Some people stay close not to protect,
but to observe, compare, measure strength…
or simply because it’s easier to hurt from nearby.

Today, I understand that growing also means reclaiming boundaries,
even with those we love.
Especially with those we love.

Not every distance is a loss.
Sometimes, it’s preservation.

And every time I choose self-respect,
something in me rises stronger again.

— The Phoenix Diaries 🔥