that’s the type of shit groomers and abusers do to their victims. they isolate their victim and put them in a situation where the victim only comes to them for emotional support. they then withdraw support further isolating the victim so when they come back the victim is way more likely to do everything they say and put up with more and more shit. then they repeat the cycle of love bombing and abusing them. tbh i doubt the author has put that much thought/understanding into it but that’s why groomergriz be doing that

It's kinda funny in an ironic sort of way that the villain of the story is also kind of a hero. Sure he stabbed him, but he basically saved a 13 year old boy from a child predator.