Dear Hopeless Romantic: Ending an emotionally and verbally abusive relationship could lead to positive changes in your life. If your ex is genuine, he might also be considering leaving his unhappy situation. If you choose to pursue this, I strongly recommend getting to know him better first. Couples counseling could be beneficial, helping you both navigate past baggage.

Dear Abby: Growing up, my father was abusive towards me, favoring my sister instead. He constantly pushed me, punishing me for not being perfect, while he largely ignored her, claiming she was “too stupid to succeed.” As an adult, I finally found the courage to ask him for better treatment.

I suggested family counseling to improve our communication, and he initially agreed but later backed out, claiming he was too busy (he had retired). Following this, he disowned me and told my family I was the one who ended things. My sister believes him, and since she wasn’t treated poorly, I’m struggling with the relationship. How can I maintain my bond with her while she stays close to him? — Estranged in Florida

Dear Estranged: It might be helpful to enlist other family members who remember your dynamic with your father to support your side of the story. If that’s not feasible, you may want to maintain a relationship with your sister by agreeing to avoid discussions about your father altogether.

Dear Abby: What should I do about my close friends who are incredibly noisy? Recently, my husband asked me if any of my siblings were citizens of the country where my late parents immigrated. I was taken aback by his bluntness and couldn’t respond. They tend to act this way often. I’ve expressed that I value my privacy regarding family matters, but they persist. How can I address this rude behavior? — Nosy Friend

Dear Nosy Friend: The next time they bring up something that seems too personal, try responding with, “Why do you ask?” When they provide their reasoning, you can follow up with, “That’s quite personal,” and then smoothly switch the topic.