Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25266931-20170112165458/@comment-4010415-20170125183051

You don't "allow" yourself to fall for manipulation. No one "allows" themselves to fall for manipulation. That's the entire point of manipulation. And even though she has the physical power to fight back or leave, abusive relationships tend to ensnare the mind.

Abusive relationships involve the abuser gaining control over their victim before they start showing that they're abusive, so by the time they start abusing, it's too late for the victim. We don't know how much time passed between Emerald meeting Cinder and Cinder slapping Emerald.

The control that the abuser takes of their victim takes many forms, and in real life, it can include control over finances, even manipulating the victim's child into having negative feelings toward the victim if the victim displeases the abuser.