Often, when the word betrayal is used, it describes an action done against someone by a person they hold in high esteem. But what if betrayal is an inaction? What if it is found in the things that were never said or done?

What if you never heard them say they loved you? What if they never told you they were proud of you? What if the only time they ever prayed for you was when they were instructed to do so? What if they repeatedly made it known that their regard for you was tied only to what your existence could do for their ego? Your happiness and achievements mean nothing unless they help polish their image.

I have felt this way too many times with one person I did not get to choose. Life assigned me someone who merely sees me as a checklist on their bucket list. Knowing that my existence is nothing more than a ticked box hurts more than a knife in my back.

What does one do with this kind of betrayal? How does one heal from something so deeply silent?