Confession of a Daddy Gone Too Far

I've always been protective and caring towards my partner, even from the moment we first got together. We both agreed that our dynamic would involve some elements of DDLG, but it was all consensual and mutual respect. I became her protector, her guide, her rock. My role as a Daddy seemed to fit us like a glove. Over time though, I began to push boundaries without clear communication or consent. It started small, maybe some playful punishments that went a bit too far, or expectations set in ways she wasn't comfortable with but didn't want to disappoint me by saying no. She loved and respected me so much that it seemed easier for her just to go along. But the tension built up. I felt like I was walking on eggshells around her, yet I kept pushing until there were moments of near-breakdowns from both of us. There was a particular instance where I took things too far, something she outright told me was crossing a line before it happened, but I didn't listen to her then because...because I wanted control. Now looking back on that night and the aftermath, I can see how wrong I was. She cried for hours afterwards while I just sat there in shock and guilt, trying to figure out how we got here. We talked about it a lot, I tried to understand why she stayed silent so long, why she trusted me even though I broke her trust countless times. She forgave me eventually, but not before making us both go through hell. The hard part now is finding a new balance and learning how to be her protector again without ever being the one who hurts her in any way.