I shook my head gently.
“No. You fell in love with the version of yourself you thought was superior. And to feel big, you needed to make me small.”
Silence filled the room.
I took my grandmother’s emerald necklace from my bag and held it for a moment.
“This necklace survived wars, bankruptcies, and loss in my family,” I said. “My grandmother always told me real value isn’t gold… it’s knowing who you are when no one is watching.”
I put it away.
“And now I know who I am.”
He dropped his gaze.
“What’s going to happen to me?”
I answered honestly.
“The same thing that happens to anyone who falls: you can get back up… but you’ll have to do it alone.”
I picked up my suitcase—already packed.
“The divorce papers will be filed in a few days. You can stay in the house temporarily until you stabilize. I don’t need anything from here.”
He didn’t move—like his mind couldn’t accept that the ending was real.
I walked to the door, then paused.
“Thank you, Grant.”
He looked up, shocked.
“For what?”
“Because today you reminded me I don’t have to hide to be loved.”
And I closed the door behind me.