Dodai Stewart for Jezebel:
People who don’t understand why Rihanna keeps Chris Brown in her life just don’t get abusive relationships. This is not to say that she is to blame—she is not. But often after an assault and in unhealthy relationships, there’s fear, embarrassment, hope that the other person will change. And emotions—love—can continue to run strong and deep.
Abuse isn’t as cut-and-dried in the victim’s mind as it is (or should be) for the rest of us.