Hi ListeningHeart1 and welcome to SR
Reading your short story I immediately thought of 'A Merry Go Round Called Denial' (I think) which is an Al Anon leaflet and one of my personal favorites because the minute I read it, I instantly recognized myself and my own marriage with my AH.
I tried to find it, in one of the stickies above so that I could post you a link but perhaps someone else can help with that, or you can have a look for it yourself.
Keep posting, reading and the learning will follow. Welcome again.