My Ex is Stalking Me: One Woman's Story to Fight Abuse

Cayla* broke up with her boyfriend, but he decided he didn't want to break up with her, no matter what she said.

"If I kept my eyes open, I might have seen some signs of craziness and anger management," said Cayla.

Her ex-boyfriend was in prison for eight months after serving time for gun possession and assault, but when she met him, he'd turned his life around.

"He was signing up to go to school and seemed to be going in the same direction I was," said Cayla. "He wanted to better his life and make better decisions. I wanted to support him and be there for him."

But four years later, Cayla was fed up with the arguing and wanted her ex-boyfriend out of her life and her apartment. She'd been thinking about it for some time, and her mother already thought because of his background that he was physically abusing her.

"I honestly didn't think that he'd ever put his hands on me. My mother always thought he 'beat' me. Every time he and I had an argument, she'd stare at my face for bruises. He never did but one time. It only took one time for me though," said Cayla.

That one time was after Cayla decided her ex-boyfriend had to go, and she kicked him out of their apartment. After having the locks changed, they had a dispute.

Her ex-boyfriend pushed her three times that night. Cayla said she was shocked and "couldn't believe that I was beginning to hate the man who I used to love so deeply." After staying at her father's house the next night, she came back to yet another argument. Arguments have not stopped from April 5, 2008 until present day.

According to Cayla, her ex denies hitting her and says, "I didn't hit you. You're not bruised or going to work wearing sunglasses. I just pushed you." But to Cayla, that was enough to head out the door.

Unfortunately Cayla's boyfriend still believed that the relationship could be rekindled. According to Cayla, he showed up to her apartment in the middle of the night, knocked on windows, and disappeared before the police came. When the police did come, Cayla felt they were no help.