In the ever-expanding universe of online literature, certain stories resonate deeply with readers because they capture universal human struggles—love, betrayal, family pressure, and the quest for self-identity. One such gripping narrative is Breaking Ties by Sara Abubakar. This contemporary fiction novel, which has gained significant traction on digital platforms, offers a raw, unflinching look at the complexities of marriage, the weight of family secrets, and the painful yet liberating process of breaking free from toxic relationships.
Liam receives the divorce papers while at his firm. He is not sad; he is enraged. He shows up at Ivy’s door, alternating between sobbing apologies and cold threats. “You’ll never get a job. You’ll be nothing without me.” breaking ties by sara abubakar summary
The judge grants Emma a favorable settlement, including alimony for two years to allow her to re-establish her career. The novel does not end with a romantic reunion or a new love interest. Instead, the epilogue shows Emma one year later. She is in a small but bright apartment of her own, working as a freelance illustrator. She has limited contact with her mother but has built a chosen family with Ivy and other survivors she met in a support group. In the ever-expanding universe of online literature, certain
This exchange sets the tone. Emma begins mentally cataloging these moments—a practice she learned from a self-help blog. She realizes these are not isolated incidents but a pattern. Liam receives the divorce papers while at his firm
Rather than a loud confrontation, Emma executes a quiet, strategic exit. She withdraws half the joint savings (legal in her state), drives to Ivy’s, and hires a divorce attorney, Mr. Delgado—a fierce advocate for survivors of emotional abuse.
The novel opens in medias res —not with a wedding, but with the quiet, suffocating disintegration of a home. Emma, the protagonist, is introduced as a woman who has given up her career, her dreams, and her individual identity to become the perfect wife for Liam, a successful but emotionally absent husband. Liam is portrayed not as a villain in the traditional sense, but as a man trapped by his own upbringing—a man who confuses control for love.
Emma seeks refuge at Ivy’s apartment. Ivy is horrified and urges Emma to leave immediately. But Emma, conditioned to doubt herself, returns home the next day. Act Two is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. Emma begins secretly attending therapy with Dr. Marcus. She initially frames their issues as “communication problems.” But through careful questioning, Dr. Marcus helps her name the dynamic: coercive control .