THE FUSE

Covert narcissism operates on subtle control, emotional dependency, and plausible deniability, which makes their behavior more insidious and challenging to pinpoint. While the relationship is intact and they are benefiting from you, their abuse can stay hidden under the guise of concern, intellectual depth, “togetherness,” or performative empathy and emotional attunement for years. However, once you assert a boundary or flex your autonomy, it disrupts their agenda and increases the propensity for many of the cruel behaviors, including covert reactive aggression.