I opened the walk-in closet, bypassing the designer dresses Nathan had bought for me.

I reached into the very back, where my old, faded canvas duffel bag sat on the floor.

It was dusty, the zipper stiff as I pulled it open.

I packed two pairs of worn jeans, three thick sweaters, and my old boots.

I left the diamond necklace Nathan had given me on the vanity table.

It caught the gray light from the window, sparkling uselessly against the polished marble.

My chest ached, a sharp, physical pain that made it hard to breathe.

I loved him.

I loved him enough to walk away from the only security I had ever known.

I took a piece of heavy stationery from the desk drawer and grabbed a pen.

My hand trembled as I wrote the words.

“I’m sorry, Nathan. I cannot be the person who ruins everything you built. Please don’t look for me.”

I folded the paper and left it beside his silver cufflinks on the nightstand.

I zipped the duffel bag, the sound of the zipper loud in the quiet bedroom.