I'm so used to the cycle of abuse... the behavior after the apology has always been really wonderful. I have had a very hard time seeing the long-term behavior.
Abuse me...
I'll accept it.
Abuse me...
Give me empty apologies.
Abuse me....
Be really kind to me. (The abusers way of saying "don't tell anyone --not even yourself -- about the abuse")
And the cycle repeats over time... again... and again.