Can Courtnee and Will’s love thrive beyond prison walls? The pair are sharing their story in the latest season of WeTV’s reality series Love After Lockup. Last week, the couple said “I do” not long after meeting face-to-face for the first time. But as Courtnee explains in this exclusive clip from the May 16 episode, her difficult past is threatening to destroy her new relationship. 

Courtnee opens up about an abusive relationship in the next ‘Love After Lockup’  

Will, an IT specialist, met Courtnee on a prison pen pal website. Despite their difference – he’s a self-proclaimed nerd, while she’s an ex-cheerleader who fell in with the wrong crowd – they developed a genuine relationship. Now, Courtnee’s out of prison, and she and Will have tied the knot. But she’s finding that putting the past behind her is easier said than done, especially because of her trust issues stemming from a previous abusive relationship. 

“These trust issues are so triggering,” she says. “Because I’ve non-stop dealt with these types of problems in my past relationships.”

Courtnee goes on to open up about a former partner who physically assaulted her when she tried to leave the house to go shopping. 

“He threw me on the ground and wrapped his hands around my neck. And then he didn’t stop,” an emotional Courtnee says. “I ended up giving up and giving in. And when I did, that’s when he stopped.”

Courtnee is triggered by Will’s lack of trust

Though she was looking forward to her future with Will, Courtnee’s past experience is coloring her new relationship.

Previously, she’s said that she hoped that marrying Will would provide stability after a long period of uncertainty in her life. But their marriage has gotten off on the wrong foot after an awkward wedding night. Rather than spending the night together, Will had to drop his new wife off at a halfway house after their ceremony. When he called her later in the evening, he thought she sounded odd, leading him to worry she might be using drugs again. 

The next day, Will raised his concerns with Courtnee. That set off alarm bells for the former inmate. His lack of trust has her questioning their relationship, and she’s not sure how to cope. 

“Being in this situation with Will, somebody that I thought I would never have to worry about, is triggering me,” she says. “And I don’t know how to deal with it.”  

Love After Lockup airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on WeTV. Episodes also stream on ALLBLK and AMC+. 

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

For more​​ news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.