Will an abuser play on your fear of abandoment

You bet they will! They will use every ploy in the book to keep control of their victim. They will have the victim's head so full of lies about how tough things will be without them (especially financially) that the victim will honestly believe there is no hope of them surviving on their own self esteem.
There is help and it's called the Abused Women's Center in your area. They are there to help and will usually put you in a "Transition House" or "Safe Place" away from your abuser. Councelors will also assist you in court. They often help you find a job and your own place to live. If your can't find your local Abused Women's Center then call "Mental Health" and they will lead you in the right direction.
Good luck!  answer Oh yeah they will! My N found me right after a divorce. OK so I was vulnerable. Didn't like being alone...yada yada. The first night I had him over my house I heard him humming the tune "lonely Girl" under his breath. It seemed a little creepy and a tad malicious. What a red flag it shoud have been! many months later and after considerable pain and heartache I have finally dumped him for good. I will always remember that incident and how he had me "pegged" so early on. By the way, I am beginning to enjoy being on my own.