Facial expressions alone may not be enough to end a relationship, but they provide valuable data.

One partner smirking at the other's pain often indicates a lack of empathy and need to be superior.

A partner who smirks at another's physical pain may be unsafe.

A partner with a strong narcissistic streak often feels more secure in the relationship when they have the power. Yet, instead of gaining this power through emotional closeness, they prefer to get the upper hand by putting you down. Often, their satisfaction is written across their face in the form of a smirk when they see you in emotional pain.

This may not be apparent until you are already invested in the relationship. In the beginning, they are your biggest advocate and sympathizer, but as the relationship progresses, they seem annoyed with your struggles, and they tend to criticize you quite harshly. But just when you think they no longer care about you, they do something thoughtful. Naturally, you feel silly for questioning their loyalty, and you vow to never doubt them again.

This cycle of devaluing you and then........

© Psychology Today