Why do people stay in abusive relationships? In Episode 92 of After the Quiet, I answer one of the most common questions survivors are asked: "Why didn't you leave sooner?" I share the complexities behind my decision to stay—from the happy years at the beginning of my marriage, to blaming stress and myself for his behaviour, to the comfort of a close-knit extended family, financial stability, and the carefully crafted image he presented to the world. This episode explores why coercive control is so difficult to recognize and why the good moments never erase the abuse. If you've ever wondered why survivors stay, this honest conversation offers insight, compassion, and understanding.