Had an STR end about 4 months ago, I was reminiscing earlier and thought about a shit-test she threw me early on in our dating and how I failed it.

Situation was us heading back to her place after a date or some other night out (can't rly remember tbh), sat on her couch, she throws me the line "Do you even like me?"

I failed by validating her feelings and telling her that I obviously liked her as I was spending so much time with her and we we're dating etc. It was an obvious manipulation that I fell into, the first of many.

I think a more appropriate response would have been been to tell her I wouldn't be manipulated like that and then walk out and next her for a couple days.

Thoughts? What would have been a better way of dealing with this shit-test?