Hi Mark,
I read your story yesterday and at first I thought it was a very sad, touching story (well, of course it still is!).
But that was because I believed it was just a work of fiction and I was dumbstruck when I discovered that it's based on your own experience.
Thanks for sharing it, I couldn't stop thinking about it for a whole day and actually even now I still feel restless thinking you had to deal with this (and I guess this is just a small part of it).
How did you even gather the strength to go on with your life the way you did, I'll never know but I certainly admire you for it!
You really seem like a sweet, genuine guy and I believe no one deserves to be abused the way you were!
As someone once said, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" and hopefully you're the one who survived this horrid experience relying on your own strength.
But even though life can be a real bitch sometimes, if your experience is any indication, but it can also surprise you in a real good way.
Some people call it Karma, but anyway I'm really glad that you finally found someone you can love and who loves you back
Hopefully, before you know it you'll be able to reach these gates and whatever they represent and then nothing will prevent you from living the life you deserve.
(Sorry, my English is still kinda limited so I hope none of the things I said come out wrong or offend you in any way).