We either all know them, have been them, bear witnesses to them in our society- that individual who questions their life decisions because they are trapped in an abusive relationship (physically, mentally, or otherwise).

Through a facade of methodically executed gestures, day to day motions, through denial of one's unspeakable pain and afflictions, these individuals convey that they are indeed "okay, fine…" even perceived as happy through a ruse of portrayed social media pictures, with hashtags such as #relationshipgoals to validate the extent of their distorted and dysfunctional union with a significant other.

But behind the shadows of a profile photo or autonomic day to day motions to convince the world of their "happiness," life may transpire in quite a different and tumultuous way.

The verbal arguments, the disparaging tone of voice, the name-calling, physical abuse, and condescending interactions, and in most cases mentally abusive engagement which leaves the abusee which notions of momentary and life regret and a different life to be desired. And although this has become the reality of their life, many abusees opt to "stay" in the relationship, attempting at futile costs to "make it work" for an inordinate amount of reasons (perhaps the involvement of children, facets of immense denial that the abuser will change their ways, or in many occurrences the hopeless notion and misconception that one cannot find or deserve anyone better than the current significant other).

But when does the cost of complacency or resiliency to stay committed to an abusive relationship become a cost that is willing to risk your life? At what point does enough become enough?

Imagine this scenario. A young woman, in her mid-thirties flourishing in her real estate career, with four beautiful children (age 14 and under), with a husband who is a respected law enforcement official, living in the suburbia. From the perspective of an outsider, their life appears to be perfect, beautiful, seemingly normal at all costs.

Then one particular evening the couple begins bickering into the late hours of the night in their home and the woman angrily throws her wedding ring in sheer resentment, and the events following in sequence occur as if the scene arose from a horror movie.

The argument escalates and her husband murders her and shoots her in the head, and then upon realization of his atrocities, he pulls the trigger on himself, taking not only the life of his wife, but that of his own, leaving a bloody dual murder-suicide scene with their 4 children alive in the house left to cope with traumatic nightmare of witnessing both of their parents die (and unbeknownst to them, the murder of their mother in cold blood).

The signs of domestic abuse were seemingly present early in the relationship, but she made a conscious decision to stay committed in the best interests of her children and for the human nature, the sake of love. With immense misfortune, the cost of this pivotal decision subsequently resulted in the heinous atrocity of her death, the life of a beautiful soul taken from this earth from a senseless act of violence, all the more affecting her young children in the most profound and heart wrenching way, as they must now endure the trauma of living their lives without either parent.

It is with great sadness that I must admit this story is very much legitimate and the living soul of a beautiful woman (inside and out) tragically ended in fatal circumstances. For those that knew her and loved her, sadness is now prevailing in the midst of the days following her death.

Although it would appear that the normalities of her life appeared seemingly and constructively flawless and idealistic, such tragedies may leave others in similarly abusive situations or relationships to wonder, "At the end of the day, is this relationship worth not only my happiness but is it worth risking my life?"

The answer is NO. If the person you love does not value you enough to respect you at all costs, then the answer is always NO.

Her death is a tragedy is this world but serves as a distinct and lingering reminder of the potential consequences of tolerating domestic abuse.