CHAPTER 9
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That evening when Griffin came home, he thought for a moment before saying to me, “Your vacation ends tomorrow, right? I assume you’ve finished the proposal? Bring it to the office to send to the client. And whatever happens, don’t come looking for me tomorrow. I have some personal business to attend to.” He’d clearly anticipated my reaction and prepared his response.
To his surprise, I simply agreed without question.
This caught him off guard. “Aren’t you going to ask where I’m going?”
I smiled without responding. In the past, when I loved him, I’d have followed him everywhere.
Now that I didn’t, his whereabouts meant nothing to me.
“You really have nothing you want to ask me?” Griffin eyed me suspiciously.
nodded. “Actually, I do.”
“What is it?”
“Griffin, tomorrow I turn thirty. Do you remember what I once said—that if you hadn’t married me by thirty, I’d walk away?“.
“Of course I remember, but that was just a joke. Nobody takes those things seriously. Besides, the company is still growing. I don’t have marriage on my mind right now.”
Griffin was so certain of my devotion that he assumed my thirty–year deadline was simply playful banter. In his mind, there was no way I’d ever stop loving him. Hearing his dismissive tone, I nodded. “I understand.”
Early the next morning, Griffin left in his tailored suit.
Watching him go, I felt a sense of finality. At last, this chapter was ending.
slipped into my wedding dress, left a wedding invitation on the table, and walked out the door.
Griffin, from this day forward, you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine.
We’re nothing to each other now.
I won’t disturb your life again.
I left the apartment and took a taxi to the courthouse.
My future stretched before me–I was finally ready to find my own happiness.
37
