Chapter 13: The Life I Was Building
As the divorce moved forward, I began to feel like myself again.
I threw myself into my nonprofit work. We expanded our programs and took on more cases involving workplace harassment and exploitation. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely passionate about what I was doing, without the constant background noise of managing Mark’s ego or trying to keep the peace at home.
I also started spending more time with David.
Our relationship had grown slowly and naturally. He never pressured me. He never made me feel like I had to explain or justify my past. He simply showed up — consistently, kindly, and without expectations.
One evening, while we were having dinner, he looked at me and said, “You seem lighter lately.”
I smiled.
“I feel lighter.”
He reached across the table and took my hand.
“I’m glad,” he said. “You deserve to feel that way.”
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For the first time in a very long time, I allowed myself to imagine a future that didn’t revolve around surviving someone else’s choices.
I was finally living for myself.
