Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a twisted soap opera, complete with backstabbing “friends,” jealous exes, and a partner who is just a little too trusting for his own good. The main antagonist in this ongoing drama is a woman I’ll call mystery who is absolutely consumed by an unhealthy obsession with my husband. And unfortunately, she’s not the only one causing problems.

It all started a few years into my relationship now marriage, when I started to notice little things – mystery & her partner as well as mutual circle of friends would constantly be asking my husband about my whereabouts, my work schedule, anything she or them could use to try to wedge their/ her way into our lives. At first, I thought she was just being friendly, but as time went on, the behavior became more and more erratic. She would go through these periods of trying to be all chummy with me, only to suddenly turn cold and distant the moment my husband wasn’t around.

Then the communications through other channels started – she would use mutual friends and even family members to pass messages to my husband, or create fake social media accounts, numbers and emails to contact him directly. And if he blocked one number, she’d pop up on another even using other people including her kids phone, often using her own spouse’s phone to disguise her identity. It was like she was a spy on a covert mission, determined to worm her way into our relationship by any means necessary.

The worst part is, my husband is just so trusting and unwilling to see the malice behind mystery, her partner,mutual friends,associates,long term friends and colleagues actions. He’ll brush it off, saying they’re/she’s “just being friendly” or that I’m “making a big deal out of nothing.” And it’s not just them – there are other people in his life, both men, and women, who seem to have this bizarre obsession with him as well. They’re always asking about where he is, what he’s doing, if I’m around. They act all sweet and innocent to his face, but I know they’re just waiting for an opportunity to create problems between us. They would even attempt pushing themselves on him by doing and trying any and everything I mean flirting , finding reasons to talk to him, sending pictures even bashing me to the extreme making assumptions of our relationship claiming that I treat him as a B**** or even worst. They would even call me all kinds of names to him then claim that they are just playing that he shouldn’t take it seriously when they know they aren’t playing.

I feel like I’m constantly on high alert, always having to watch my back and wonder who’s going to try to undermine our relationship next. It’s exhausting, both mentally and emotionally. I just want to scream at my husband sometimes, begging him to open his eyes and see these people for who they really are – the “negative cancer” and “venom” that’s infecting our lives. But I know that won’t do any good. He has to come to that realization on his own.

In the meantime, I’ve had to become something of a relationship ninja, constantly shutting down attempts at interference and manipulation. I’ve had to learn to read between the lines, to spot the subtle digs and backhanded compliments that are really just thinly veiled attempts to sow seeds of doubt. And let me tell you, it takes a special kind of person to be able to maintain their cool when someone is using their own spouse’s phone to try to chat up your husband!

But I refuse to let these obsessive vultures win. My love for my husband is stronger than their petty jealousy and twisted schemes. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to protect our relationship, no matter how many underhanded tactics they try to employ. Because at the end of the day, I know the truth – my husband is committed to me, and all the manipulation in the world won’t change that.

It’s a constant battle, and one that I’m honestly getting a little tired of fighting. I just want to enjoy my marriage in peace, without having to constantly worry about who’s going to try to sabotage it next. But I suppose that’s the price you pay when you have the kind of love that others can’t help but covet.

So I’ll keep my guard up, my eyes peeled, and my wits about me. Mystery and her ilk may think they’re clever, but I’m one step ahead of them. This relationship is mine, and I’m not about to let anyone take it from me. Bring it on, you obsessive vultures – I’m ready for you.