This is part of Revenge Week, a series about how vengeance runs America, from the White House to cheating spouses to that bad boss who totally deserved it. In the beginning, the fantasy was simple.

If you grew up with hardship, neglect, or criticism, it’s easy to carry that weight into adulthood. But the best kind of revenge isn’t about payback—it's about healing, growth, and proving to yourself ...

When someone wrongs us, why does getting even feel so good? In his new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It, lawyer and revenge researcher ...