When Love Feels Like Destiny—But Destiny Has a Dark Side
Episode 1: “The Cosmic Vortex”: When Love Feels Like Destiny—But Destiny Has a Dark Side
This article is part of a 12-episode series adapted from the book “The Chameleon’s Game: When Love Becomes Manipulation” by Katarzyna Dodd. Each episode reveals another layer of a decade-long relationship with a covert narcissist, combining real-life experiences with psychological insights to help women recognize and escape similar patterns. The complete book offers an even deeper exploration of this journey from trauma to transformation.
THE GAME BEGINS
I met him long ago, before I began working as a therapist, though I had already completed my psychology training. One glance—and something magical happened. It felt like a cosmic space had opened and pulled me in like a vortex. The wave of emotions, physical sensations, and visions was incredible. It went on for several weeks, until he came to visit me. The depth of those experiences was so intense that I thought this must be what people mean by “love at first sight.”
We met through an online platform. I was living in Lakeland at the time, and he was in Pacifica. When I saw his photo, something shifted—like a vast starry space opened up and pulled me in, as if I were entering another dimension. This wasn’t just an emotional reaction—my body was feeling something much deeper, something energetic, with sensations I had never experienced before in my life. It was intense.
There were waves of energy so strong they were almost painful at times—tightness in the upper abdomen, sharp pains in the heart, a sudden connection to him, a feeling of being uplifted, and a deep knowing that I had known him for eons. We messaged each other daily and occasionally had video calls. During that time, I also began having visions and dreams from what felt like other dimensions.
Everything was so extraordinary that every cell in my body was convinced: this is it.
I still remember one dream in particular, where I experienced something that was blurry in visuals but deeply stirring in message. I woke up with my heart racing, feeling like something strange was unfolding between masculine and feminine energy. A strong intuition came over me—that the feminine must not allow itself to be dominated by the masculine; that the most important thing in a relationship is to maintain one’s integrity. Alongside this feeling came a vision of two substances—one radiating fullness and independence, and the other trying to absorb it but failing.
At the time, I didn’t understand the vision.
Now I see that it was an early glimpse into the energetic dynamic of the relationship. But the interpretation only came later, once I learned to observe reality through expanded states of awareness.
During the few weeks we corresponded and talked before he came to Lakeland, we exchanged many deep thoughts. To this day, I still have that correspondence—and now, I look at it as a collection of red flags and material for deep reflection. Back then, I was over the moon.
Within just a few days, he was already telling me I was his “home,” that he loved me, that he had visions of us holding hands in old age, that he’d never felt so good and safe with any other woman, and that he had finally found someone who truly understood him—because all his past partners had been worthless. He also said that since nothing had ever worked out for him before, he had basically given up… but now, it looked like he finally had a chance, because this time it felt different, unlike anything else.
During our correspondence, something came up that I now recognize as a red flag, but it felt like something extraordinary at the time. He started talking about masculine energy and how, when it’s weakened, it can be beautifully strengthened by feminine energy. He said he hoped that my gentle, feminine energy could help him with that.
Sounds like honey to the ears, right? At first glance, you might think, what a sensitive man—someone who knows himself and is open to growing together. Don’t be fooled. That’s just another hook designed to reel you in.
DECODING THE MANIPULATION
What I experienced was a classic example of a trauma bond masquerading as “love at first sight.” A trauma bond is an intense emotional connection often mistaken for deep love, but it’s actually based on the mutual matching of unresolved psychological wounds.
Key differences between authentic connection and trauma bonding:
True love at first sight:
- You feel peace and certainty.
- You see the other person realistically, with their flaws and strengths.
- It develops naturally, without rushing.
- It’s based on mutual respect and understanding.
Trauma bond:
- Intense, almost physical sensations
- Feeling of “knowing forever” without real knowledge
- Obsessive thinking about the other person
- Rapid declarations of love and future • Overwhelming emotions that seem “larger than life”
The love bombing mechanism was already operating at full throttle. He employed three key tactics:
- Mirroring—He adapted to my spiritual and psychological values.
- Future faking—He painted visions of our shared future from the first days.
- Unique positioning—He convinced me I was the only one who understood him.
Red flag to remember: When a man immediately says he needs “strengthening” through your feminine energy, it means unresolved mother issues. He’s looking for a mother, not a partner. And since he likely harbors resentment toward his mother, he’ll later project that resentment onto you.
The prophetic dream was an early warning from my subconscious. Intuition often knows more than the mind—it’s worth listening to, even when emotions are screaming something different.
The trauma bond feels so real because it taps into survival instincts. Your nervous system recognizes familiar emotional patterns, but “familiar” doesn’t mean “healthy”—it often means “inherited trauma.”
QUESTIONS THAT MATTER
The alarm went off, but the music was too loud. I remember during our correspondence, I once said something that set a boundary—and it was immediately labeled as “kicking him in the balls.” I apologized, saying I hadn’t realized it could be taken that way, and I started watching my words more carefully.
I didn’t know then that this reaction would mark the beginning of a pattern that would repeat for the next ten years…
Question for reflection: Have you ever felt like you had to “walk on eggshells” right from the beginning of a relationship? This might be the first sign you’re entering a toxic dynamic.
Next episode: “Love Bombing Paradise”—When the perfect man appears, but perfection is the first red flag.
Available TODAY!
“Intense emotions don’t always mean love. Often, they’re signs of a trauma bond—familiar, overwhelming, but rooted in old wounds rather than true connection.” – Katarzyna ‘Kasia’ Dodd
The Chameleon’s Game
Step into a story where nothing—and no one—is exactly what they seem. The Chameleon’s Game pulls you into a world of shifting identities, power plays, and the dangerous cost of reinvention. Kasia Dodd weaves a suspenseful, emotionally charged narrative that dares you to question how far you would go to protect your truth—or disguise it.
A novel that’s equal parts psychological intrigue and pulse-quickening drama, The Chameleon’s Game invites readers to navigate the blurred lines between authenticity and survival. Once you open the first page, you’ll find yourself caught in a game where the stakes are everything.
Are you ready to play the game?
Don’t just read a story—step into one. Claim your copy of
The Chameleon’s Game today and discover why everyone is talking about the book that refuses to let you go.
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