121. Natalie

Chapter 121

Natalie

My steps arequiet in the dark of the early morning.

My nerves are already shaky from packing in the dark.

I couldn’t get all my things. Couldn’t risk waking Luke.

But I have two suitcases ready. And I already retrieved the folder that was buried within one of them.

I try to steady my breathing. My heartbeat feels too loud in the silent condo.

My hands tremble as I smooth the papers out on Luke’s dining table.

Luke’s.

It was always his.

Never ours.

No matter what we said. No matter what I felt. We were just playing house.

Playing house in a condo that I wanted to be my home.

I wished it.

Willed it.

But none of that made it true.

I lower myself into the chair.

My ribs groan as my hummingbird strains to reach between them. Trying to swat the pen out of my grip. Trying to stop me, even though she knows this is our only choice.

My fingertips ache as I drag the ink across the paper. But I don’t stop.

It’s best to do this now.

Best to get it over with.

Even though it’s making my heart fucking hurt.

Tightness curls around my throat as I close the folder.

None of this is Luke’s fault.

He did nothing wrong.

And that makes this even worse.

It also makes it right.

Luke deserves happiness.

He doesn’t deserve to be trapped.

This is the best option for both of us.

Luke doesn’t have to find a nice way to tell me he doesn’t want to make this permanent.

And I don’t have to pretend I’m okay with it.

After closing the folder, I set the pen on top.

The truth always gets out. There’s no beating it.

So it’s time to control the narrative.

Time to face the board and tell them the truth.

I fucked up.

But I won’t step aside.

I won’t walk away from the company.

Everyone makes mistakes.

But my biggest mistake wasn’t accidentally marrying a decent man.

It was falling in love with him.

When I stand, I place my palm over my hip. Over the inked bird on my side, the mirror of the one that lives inside me. The familiar I’ve always wished was real. The friend who will never let me down.

And together, we walk out the door.