For one terrifying second, I wanted to let him do exactly that.
Because staying would be easier.
Marcus was safe.
He was familiar.
Sophie adored him.
My mortgage existed.
School fees existed.
Life was expensive.
And I was tired.
Then I realized that was precisely why I had to leave.
I HAD BEEN BORROWING SOMEONE ELSE’S STABILITY
“You’re not a bad person.”
Marcus looked up.
“You’re grieving.”
I paused.
“So am I.”
He said nothing.
“And I think I leaned on you so much that neither of us noticed when the boundaries disappeared.”
His face tightened.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“And I’m grateful for everything you did.”
I meant that.
“But I need to stop accepting it.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m leaving the company.”
“Evelyn, don’t make a career decision because of this.”
“I’m making a life decision.”
He went quiet.
