A Game of Manipulation and Truth
This is a 32-page book written in the "Choose Your Own Adventure" format. After each scenario, the reader chooses from several options to continue the story.
Each scenario also includes a Trait Reflection, which is a breakdown of the narcissistic tactics at play in that particular encounter.
This book was published using Amazon KDP. Thank you to everyone who has read this and shared their thoughts!!
Below are a few excerpts from the full book. The full book has images for each adventure.
Introduction
Your mission is to navigate the psychological maze of a relationship with a narcissist, using their choices to discern truth from manipulation, protect your emotional boundaries, and ultimately break free. The only way to “win” is to refuse to succumb to manipulation, reclaim your power, and expose the narcissist’s behavior with clarity and truth.
Success requires you to challenge the false narratives spun by the narcissist, and stand firm in your values—even when it feels easier to give in. Every choice matters: some lead to greater self-understanding and freedom, while others pull them deeper into the narcissist’s web.
About
"Jake is waging a war against me because he still has access to Jira."
My wife blinks in confusion.
“He was never offboarded; he was pushed out. Seems like you need to understand offboarding.” Your wife laughs.
This wasn’t the first time you’d heard absurd statements. The warning signs were always there: whispers from others, small manipulations you witnessed, and the countless times someone said, “Be careful.”
But this time, it wasn’t directed at someone else. It was you. The antics and lies you’d seen them use to isolate and discredit others were now aimed squarely at you and your family.
Thankfully, you’d been prepared. Over time, you’d collected written receipts—texts, emails, recordings, and shared accounts of their actions. You’d documented everything, piece by piece, until the truth became undeniable. Your lawyers were already sifting through it all, recognizing the patterns.
This was a storm they had created.
Be prepared to be the villain in their story for standing up to them.
Be prepared for those who exploited your kindness to change the narrative to suit them.
Narcissists want the authority of a king but have the accountability of a toddler.
Trait Reflection: Narcissists and sociopaths thrive on projection and blame-shifting, often fabricating absurd claims to deflect from their own negligence or misdeeds. When met with preparation and clarity, their narrative begins to unravel.
Page 6: Clawing Back Equity
"Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true." – Honoré de Balzac
After pushing you out of the company, they wasted no time making their next move.
“Since you’re short of the vesting timeline, I’ll be reclaiming your unvested equity,” they said with a smile, their tone dripping with triumph.
But then you learn something else the same day: by Monday, a new engineer is already in your role, with no gap in the transition. The timing wasn’t a coincidence. It was proof that your departure wasn’t just sudden—it was planned.
This wasn’t about mistakes or performance. It was about control, and ensuring they could maneuver themselves into a position of total authority.
The intent was clear: this had been in their plans all along, as others pointed out, a calculated move to claim back equity, eliminate dissent, and strengthen their grip on the company.
Trait Reflection: Narcissists often use calculated precision to eliminate perceived threats, manipulating circumstances to benefit themselves. Sociopaths take this further, orchestrating elaborate plans to gain dominance, with no regard for fairness or transparency.
Choices:
- Fight the clawback legally → Go to Page 16: The Legal Ambush.
- Document this behavior as further evidence → Go to Page 12: Strategic Preparation.
- Accept the loss and move forward → Go to Page 19: Prioritizing Safety.
Page 11: A Direct Confrontation
The truth needs no defense. It only needs witnesses." – Anonymous
Your wife levels a steady gaze at them.
“You are the most insecure and unpredictable person I’ve ever met,” she says, her tone sharp.
Caught off guard, they try to deflect, but your wife doesn’t let up. For the first time, their mask slips, revealing their panic.
They claim “childhood trauma” to justify their lies and make accusations, to which your wife says, “Has Jake ever done anything to you?” They go quiet and say, “Well, no… but someone quit because of him!”
Your wife smiles. “Your lies don’t end, do they? We know that individual and are really good friends with their family. They quit because of you as they saw your behavior firsthand.”
Trait Reflection: Narcissists avoid accountability when confronted, often deflecting or blaming others. Sociopaths fabricate excuses with precision, leveraging lies to evade consequences and regain control.
Choices:
- Double down → Go to Page 8: Escalation and Retaliation.
- Document the exchange → Go to Page 12: Strategic Preparation.
- Walk away → Go to Page 20: The Final Outcome.
Page 14: Sharing Concerns with Leadership
"Boundaries are the cornerstone of safety and peace." – Brené Brown
Sitting with your ecclesiastical leader, your wife and you lay out everything—your concerns, the lies, and the manipulation.
“We don’t want to be around them,” your wife says firmly. “We don’t want our kids around them either, and we refuse to leave the kids home alone when they’re home as their unpredictableness is, well, predictable.”
The leader nods, their expression serious. “Boundaries are essential here,” they say. “It’s clear this is about protecting your family.”
Trait Reflection: Narcissists force their targets to create boundaries, which are critical to reclaiming peace and safety. Sociopaths exploit those boundaries, twisting them into accusations of hostility to regain influence over the narrative.
Choices:
- Focus on safety → Go to Page 19: Prioritizing Safety.
- Expose their behavior → Go to Page 13: The Lies Go Public.
- Add this as evidence → Go to Page 12: Strategic Preparation.
Page 18: The Public Counterattack
"The greatest weapon against falsehood is unrelenting truth." – Unknown
You release carefully curated evidence to trusted allies, countering their narrative. Slowly, the tide begins to turn in your favor.
But the narcissist isn’t done. They continue to cry wolf, even as evidence of the truth piles up.
You chuckle because you wonder what would happen when you release their college records. They loved to tout being “one credit shy” of their JD.
Trait Reflection: Sociopaths escalate conflicts strategically, leveraging new lies or manipulations to confuse and control their audience. Their actions reflect a deep commitment to domination and deception.
Choices:
- Pursue legal action → Go to Page 16: The Legal Ambush.
- Continue documenting → Go to Page 12: Strategic Preparation.