Summary
Highlights
During the discard phase, a narcissist will often taunt you, acting with extreme disrespect while openly admitting to lies and cheating. Their goal is to provoke you, hurt your self-esteem, and break you down completely so they can maintain access to you.
The speaker advises against the impulse to get even or 'show them better than I can tell them.' Engaging in revenge lowers your own moral standing and makes you adopt the same toxic behaviors they exhibit, which is exactly what the narcissist wants.
Sharing personal experience, the speaker explains that retaliating by cheating makes you just as culpable as the narcissist. When you lower your standards to mirror theirs, the narcissist will later use that against you, claiming 'you both were cheating,' which permanently tarnishes your own integrity.
Rather than seeking revenge or waiting for definitive proof of betrayal, one should trust their gut feelings and prioritize self-respect. The best course of action is to cut ties early and let the narcissist continue their destructive path alone, as engaging with them only drains your own energy and character.