Chapter 5

Three days had passed since Sophia decided to end her marriage. And during those three days, she had not felt any relief. She thought that once she made her decision, everything would become easier. She thought that once she accepted that it was over, the pain would lessen but that wasn't how it worked.

Because no matter how painful the truth was, she still loved Adrian and that was the biggest problem. She didn't need to learn how to forget him. She needed to learn how to let him go while she still loved him. She was sitting in her small library on the second floor of the house.

The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of the wind coming from outside. Maybe that was better. At least the silence gave her mind a little peace.

In front of her was a blank sheet of paper. Beside it was an expensive fountain pen. A gift Adrian had given her on their second wedding anniversary. A bitter smile crossed her lips. She still couldn't believe he had done all of this.

Back then, Adrian knew everything about her. Everything. Her favorite color, her favorite books and even the exact coffee she liked.

But now? He probably didn't even know her favorite food anymore. It was sad to think about. But what else could she do?

Sometimes, love alone isn't enough to keep a relationship alive. She took a slow breath. Then she began to write.

~~~

Adrian,

I don't know how to start this letter.

Maybe because I never imagined we would reach a point where I would have to write you a goodbye letter.

When I married you, I believed you would be the person I would spend the rest of my life with.

I believed that no matter how difficult life became, we could get through it as long as we were together.

I was wrong. Not because I didn't love you. But because it turns out I was the only one still fighting for us.

~~~

Sophia stopped writing. Her vision was slowly becoming blurry not because she didn't know what to write next. But because every word she put on the paper felt like a knife slowly cutting into her heart.

Still, she continued.

~~~

I don't know when you stopped loving me. I don't know when I stopped being enough for you.  You know, for a long time, I blamed myself. I thought maybe if I were prettier, more understanding, maybe if I were a better wife and maybe you would have chosen me.

But now I understand.

I know I cannot control your choices. It is not my fault that you chose to break the promises we made to each other.

~~

A tear fell onto the paper. She quickly wiped it away. She didn't want the words to disappear. She didn't want to leave anything unsaid. Because this was probably the last time she would ever pour out everything in her heart.

~~~

I'm tired, Adrian. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of hoping. I'm tired of loving someone who stopped choosing me a long time ago. And finally, I have learned to choose myself. Not because I stopped loving you but because if I continue loving you this way, I will completely lose myself.

I hope you find happiness. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.

And I hope that one day, you will understand how deeply I loved you.

Goodbye.

— Sophia

~~~

For a long time, she stared at the letter. She barely moved. It felt as if a part of her had died while writing it.

Slowly, she folded the paper and placed it inside a white envelope. Then she wrote her husband's name on the front.

Adrian Gonzaga.

That evening, she ate dinner alone once again and Adrian still wasn't home. Of course, she wasn't surprised anymore and strangely, it didn't hurt as much. Or perhaps she was simply getting used to it.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed. A message from Mia.

Her friend was probably worried about her. Ever since Mia had called her, Sophia hadn't replied much.

Mia: How are you?

A small smile appeared on Sophia's face. At least someone still cared.

Sophia: Still breathing.

Only a few seconds later, Mia replied.

Mia: And Adrian?

Sophia stared at the message for a long moment and then she slowly typed her response.

Sophia: I'm letting him go.

She didn't add anything else. She didn't need to. Mia understood exactly what those words meant.

Around eleven that night, Sophia heard Adrian arrive home. The front door opened and footsteps echoed through the house. The soft sound of keys being placed on a table followed.

Nothing seemed different. Just like every other night but everything was different now because inside her drawer was an envelope waiting to be given.

And inside that envelope was the official end of everything. Beneath the letter were the divorce papers her lawyer had prepared.

Only one thing was missing. Adrian's signature.

Just one signature and their seven-year marriage would finally come to an end.

Sophia closed her eyes tightly. As if she were praying. As if she were asking for strength because she knew the moment was coming.

Very soon.

She didn't know how Adrian would react. She didn't know if he would be angry. If he would laugh. If he would be indifferent or if he would feel nothing at all but one thing was certain.

Within the next few days, she would give him the letter. Along with the divorce papers. And after that...

There would be no going back. No second chances and no more hope. It will be over or at least, that was what Sophia believed because she had no idea that only a few days from now, an accident would change everything.

And the letter she had written as a farewell would become the beginning of a story she never expected to live.