“Mom, I’m proud of you.”
I smiled.
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t let what Dad did destroy you.”
I hugged her back.
“It hurt me, sweetheart. More than you know.”
“I know.”
“But it didn’t destroy me.”
And that was the truth.
I had cried.
I had doubted myself.
I had spent nights wondering whether I was enough.
But eventually, I stopped asking why Gary had chosen another woman.
I started asking what I wanted for myself.
And that question changed everything.
EPILOGUE: THE HOUSE THAT BECAME MINE AGAIN
On the anniversary of Gary’s return, Linda came over with a bottle of champagne.
“To celebrate,” she announced.
I laughed.
“Celebrate what?”
“Your freedom.”
We sat on the patio, watching the sun set over the garden.
The house was quiet.
My art studio was filled with paintings. The spare room
had become a guest bedroom for Emily and her husband. The garage was still my little fitness space.
