I thought if I gave you enough time, you'd come back. I closed the laptop. You thought I'd always be there. Her eyes filled with tears. I did.
I stood up. That was your mistake. The next morning, I walked into court alone. When I walked out, I was no longer Anna's husband. And for the first time in months, I felt something I hadn't expected.
Relief. After the divorce was finalized, I moved out of the house. I didn't disappear. I didn't leave Seattle. And I didn't try to destroy Anna's life.
I simply stopped being available whenever her family needed something. That turned out to be more powerful than I expected. The baby was born Six weeks later, a healthy girl. Clare and Gregory were there at the hospital when Anna delivered. I wasn't.
Not because I wanted Anna to suffer, but because I was no longer part of that family. Clare sent me one message after the birth. She said the baby was beautiful and thanked me for everything. I didn't respond. A month later, Robert called me.
The house sale is complete. I sat back in my chair. How much did we clear? He gave me the number. It was more than I expected.
After the legal costs and Anna's share were settled, I still had enough to make a major change in my life. I had spent years building everything around one person. Now, I had no reason to. I left my job, not because I couldn't afford to stay, but because I didn't want the same life anymore. I started a small equipment consulting company with a former colleague.
For the first time in years, I controlled my schedule. I traveled. I bought a smaller house outside Seattle. I started hiking again. I even began seeing friends I'd neglected during the last few years of my marriage.
My life became quieter and better. Anna, meanwhile, was struggling. The divorce meant she no longer had access to the lifestyle we had built together. She had to find a smaller apartment. She returned to freelance design work and Clare and Gregory's marriage was falling apart.
They argued over money, the stress of raising a newborn, and how much responsibility each of them should take. Eventually, Gregory moved out. Clare blamed Anna. Anna blamed herself. Then one afternoon, Anna called me.
I need to talk to you. I don't think that's a good idea. Please. I agreed to meet her at a coffee shop. When I arrived, she was already sitting at a table.
She looked different. Not physically. She just seemed smaller somehow. She stood when she saw me. Hi, Larry.
Hi. We sat down. For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then she said, "I heard about your company. It's doing well.
I'm glad. " I nodded. She looked at me. You really rebuilt everything. I had to. You look happy.
I am. Her eyes dropped. I thought you'd come back. I didn't answer. Even after the divorce, she continued.