I think that is why it is so important to exhaust all efforts before divorcing. Try all the counseling possible so years down the road you do not ask the question you are asking. I think you need to really dig into what you are wondering. It would not be good to carry that doubt into a future relationship. Have you sought counseling to process this?

It’s best not to live in the past. Let it go. May sound harsh, but all we have is the present moment.

An abusive relationship is not a relationship a person goes back to. Why are you doubting yourself about divorcing? It is already done. Yes, it is hard, very hard to start over. You have a new person in your life, embrace it. Try not to romanticize your current relationship with your ex. Your relationship with him now is for your daughter. Let the past and the heartache go, live for the present and the future.

It's not about trust me I was married to her husband's brother for 8 yrs. You did the right thing. I sometimes wonder too but then reality hits at how I was treated and no one deserves that! So yes financially you were better off but you have to realize this process of finding yourself and putting your health and needs as priority are just taking some time to accept. We get comfortable even with the wrong person and their abuse feels familiar. But make no mistake as your friend for 28 yrs you need to value yourself more. Your feelings and needs count. And as far as financially it's hard out there. We all going through something even rich people go through bankruptcy. So give yourself a break and talk yourself out of that old familiarity. Remind yourself how bad he was to you and believe me. My dad sees my ex sometimes and sees him treat the females in his life aka wife with the same disrespect. It's the women putting up with it not that he's changed. No one like that ever truly changes. They may act better but in close quarters they act the same. Things will get better when you look out and plan for yourself emotionally and in today's world even experts are saying even when a couple plan financially to live on one income. Hugs

I left and divorced my ex who also mentally and verbally abused me in 2014. I made that decision 7 years before it actually happened because the timing had to be right for my own safety. Don't ever second guess your decision...you already know the pattern of him being nice and treating you better for a time, and then when he can't hide the monster inside anymore...you're the target once again. Eventually your daughter will see the real him, if she hasn't already. Look forward to your new life with your new man and never look back! Best of luck!