Lara made her way to one of the guest rooms down the hall.
As soon as she closed the door behind her, the numbness cracked, letting the ache crawl back in. She sat on the edge of the bed, then laid down, staring at the ceiling.
It’s over. It’s finally over.
She had said the words that needed to be said. She had chosen herself. She should’ve felt victorious—free. And in a way, she did.
But freedom, she was learning, could feel a lot like grief.
Her chest felt hollow. Not because she regretted it—but because it still hurt. Despite everything Lucas had done, despite the way she had been treated, she had still fought to keep the marriage alive, and now, it was slipping through her fingers. The reality of it was almost too much to bear. She could feel the rawness of the grief bubbling u
