He Told My Best Friend, “I Wish I’d Met You First.” I Walked Away. A Year Later, He Finally Understood.

built, imperfect and entirely mine.

“I am happy,” I said, and meant it completely.

That night, I deleted Grant’s message without saving it. I didn’t need a record of his regret. I didn’t need proof that I’d made the right choice. I already knew I had, in the way my body felt lighter, in the way I no longer flinched when my phone buzzed, in the way I’d continue reading …