In 2023, I wrote an article titled ‘The volcano between sweet ‘I love you’ sound and ‘I quit’ to explore the uncharted territory of relationships gone sour. What happens between the honeymoon phase and the breakdown? What are the unspoken issues that escalate into abuse, toxicity, and sometimes, tragedy?

The recent video of a man physically abusing his partner, stripping her of dignity and humanity, sparked this introspection. There's no excuse for such barbarity. No amount of love, promises, or shared history justifies violence.

Why is it so hard to walk away from toxic relationships? What happened to the love, laughter, and tears we shared? The sex, children, and happy memories – weren't they real?

Couples cite "irreconcilable differences" as a reason to part ways, yet the separation is often marred by hate, pain, and sometimes, violence. Children caught in the crossfire lose access to a parent, and the cycle of hurt continues.

A 52-year-old man stabbed his partner for fear she'd leave him. A policeman allegedly killed his 23-year-old lover – the motive is still unclear. These headlines scream one question: Where did the love go?

We must learn to have conversations, to speak up, and accept the truth. We must recognize our power to change narratives and walk away with dignity.

Share your thoughts and experiences. Let's break the silence and start a conversation. Maybe, just maybe, we can start healing, one honest conversation at a time.

#TheVolcanoBetweenLoveAndHate #BreakTheSilence #HealthyRelationships #LoveIsNotAbuse

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The author, Rebecca Tweneboah Darko (Becky), is an entertainment journalist with The Multimedia Group.

The views expressed in the article are her own and do not reflect the sentiment of the institution.

Facebook: Becky Gh. Instagram: @iambecky23. Twitter: @iambecky23. E-mail Rebecca.darko@myjoyonline.com. LinkedIn: Rebeca Tweneboah Darko