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
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
"John 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.”
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 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.