This cross is making me tense and agitated. The portions of the statements made by SM that Barth is reading make it *sound* like he is allowing KM to exercise free will, when in fact it is the opposite. Anyone who has been manipulated by an emotional abuser would recognize it.
Saying or asking "that's your choice," is really a way to cast doubt on your rationale and decision. "Oh, really. Is that your choice?" said with a slight sarcastic tone is a way that the abuser gets you to mistrust yourself, and also lets you know that whatever you've decided would not be HIS choice. (Often, then you get to fish around until you think you've figured out HIS choice. But it's YOUR choice.)
"That's your choice, so when bad things happen you'll know who to blame."
"Despite what I've said I want, it's your choice."
"Here's all the things that I predict as outcomes, but go ahead and attend college in Boston or NY, KM. That's YOUR choice!"
Also saying, "Okay, that's how it's going to be," is really a way of saying the opposite. "You'll move in after high school, okay. That's how it's going to be, (because you don't really care about ME.)"
"You've already started cooking supper so we can't go out. That's how it's going to be."
"No second chances, no turning back. What's done is done. Black and white. That's how it's going to be."
*****seething*****