She lived a similar life? Loved Roman – Love John as Roman – Roman came back so she tried to deny her feelings for John knowing that Roman wasn’t her end anymore.
She’s kinda comparing herself a bit to Sarah – pushing away the wrong man (Eric – and in Marlena’s case, John) to be w/the one she "should" be with (Rex – and in Marlena’s case, Roman.) While I don’t agree w/breaking up a marriage it seems that Marlena wants her son to be happy AND not to see the fall out that is inevitably going to come from seeing yet another Salem woman pick the wrong dude.