Breaking Ties By Sara Abubakar Summary [OFFICIAL]

For readers seeking a story that is both heart-wrenching and empowering, Breaking Ties delivers. And for those who see themselves in Emma, the novel offers a quiet, powerful message: You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you are allowed to leave. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse, resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (or local equivalents) offer free, confidential support. Breaking Ties is a work of fiction, but its lessons are rooted in real struggles.

The courtroom scenes are tense but satisfying. Emma presents the ledger, the camera, and her therapist’s notes. Liam’s attorney tries to paint Emma as a gold-digger, but Ivy testifies about Emma’s abandoned career, and Dr. Marcus provides expert testimony on coercive control. breaking ties by sara abubakar summary

Liam arrives home two hours late, barely acknowledges the setup, and critiques the wine choice. When Emma gently expresses hurt, Liam responds with a cold, logical dismantling of her feelings: “You’re being dramatic. I had work. You don’t work, so you don’t understand pressure.” For readers seeking a story that is both

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 . And you are allowed to leave

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.

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.