t that was the end of it, but little did I know that Ethan had other plans!

I glared at him now, my heart pounding in my chest. “You KNEW I was going to visit my dad’s grave in three weeks, Ethan. You knew how much this meant to me.

How could you do this?!”

He sighed, “I know, and I’m sorry.

But I’ll get the money back in a month. We can push your trip back a little, right?

It’s just… this fishing trip is really important to me!”

I stared at him in disbelief. He was actually asking me to delay MY trip to visit my father’s grave so HE could go fishing!

The anger I felt earlier was nothing compared to the rage boiling inside me now!

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“You’re actually serious!”

He nodded, looking almost hopeful that I’d agree. “The trip is booked to happen in a few days, and I’ll be gone for only a week,” he explained.

But I had other plans…

The next day, I woke up with a plan forming in my mind. I called my boss and asked if I could take my vacation earlier than expected.

To my relief, she agreed, saying that it wouldn’t be a problem.

While Ethan was at work, I spent the morning packing up his new fishing gear.

I packed the boat, the reels, the tackle, everything! I loaded it all into my car and drove back to the store.

The clerk from the day before was there, and he looked surprised to see me.

“Hi, I’d like to return all of this,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He raised an eyebrow. “Return all of it?

Is there something wrong with the products?”

“No, I just changed my mind,” I replied, forcing a smile.

The clerk didn’t ask any more questions and processed the return.

As he handed me the cash, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. But I wasn’t done yet.

“Actually,” I said, leaning in a little closer, “I’ve got some other fishing gear I’d like to sell.”

His eyes lit up. “Sure, we buy used gear all the time.”

I returned to the car and came back with every last piece of fishing equipment Ethan owned.

By the time I left, I had an extra $2,000 in my pocket and a feeling of triumph I hadn’t experienced in a long time!

When I got home, I packed my suitcase with the essentials, took one last look around our home, and headed to the airport.

I didn’t bother leaving a note. I didn’t owe Ethan an explanation.

He’d find out soon enough!

The flight to Europe felt like a dream! I spent most of it staring out the window, my thoughts swirling with everything that had happened.

I didn’t know what the future held for my marriage, but in that moment, I didn’t care.

All that mattered was finally visiting my dad’s grave and finding the closure I desperately needed.

When I arrived at the cemetery the next day, I stood before my father’s headstone. I knelt down, placing a bouquet of daisies, his favorite, at the base of the stone.

Tears filled my eyes, but this time, they were tears of relief. “I finally made it, Dad.”

As I sat there, I thought about my husband, wondering if he’d get upset coming home to find the empty closet, the missing gear, and the silence of our home.

Part of me felt bad for leaving him like that, but another felt liberated.

For too long, I’d put his needs before mine, but now, I was doing something for myself!

Something I needed to do to heal.

When I returned to the small hotel room I booked, my phone buzzed with a text. It was from Ethan.

“Elizabeth, where are you? I came home, and everything’s gone.

Please, talk to me?”

I stared at the message, my heart heavy.

I knew I’d have to face him eventually, but for now, I needed this time to be with my thoughts, to mourn, and to figure out what came next. I set the phone down. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: I was finally at peace.