Another hallmark of narcissism is a preoccupation with fantasies — visions of unlimited success, power, beauty, or ideal love. Narcissists live in a dream world where reality bends to fit their imagination. They cling to these fantasies because reality, with all its accountability and consequences, is too painful to face.

For Mark Anthony Stephens, fantasy is the default setting.

What Fantasy Looks Like in Mark

• The Book That Never Arrives
  For years, Mark has claimed a book is coming out “soon.” He speaks of it as if it will change everything — vindicating him, exposing others, rewriting the narrative. But the book never comes. It exists only in his imagination, a fantasy of future importance used to distract from present failures.
• The Prophet Without a Flock
  Mark paints himself as a man of God, a spiritual leader with divine insight. He posts as though he’s been chosen to guide men into righteousness. But in practice, his “ministry” is a Facebook feed of contradictions, spelling errors, and projection. His fantasy of being a prophet doesn’t match the reality of restraining orders, court orders, and contempt filings.
• The Illusion of Victimhood
  In Mark’s fantasy world, he’s not behind on child support — he’s being persecuted. He’s not neglecting his children — he’s a father unjustly alienated. His imagination reframes every failure as an attack from others. In this way, fantasy keeps him safe from accountability.
• Grand Romance, Empty Reality
  Mark’s relationships follow the same script. A whirlwind beginning full of promises and declarations of “forever,” followed by disillusionment, chaos, and collapse. Each time, he spins the story as if he was the noble victim of betrayal — while ignoring the pattern he repeats.

The Reality Behind the Mask

Fantasies may make Mark feel powerful, spiritual, or important, but they rob him of reality. His children don’t need a prophet, they need a father. They don’t need a book, they need consistent love, support, and presence. By living in dreams, Mark has abandoned the duties of today — leaving others to clean up the mess.

This is the second mask removed: Fantasy.
Next, we’ll examine the narcissist’s belief that they are “special” — and how Mark’s insistence that only he truly understands things isolates him from accountability.