He tried to argue, but his silence spoke louder than any threat. He left without another word.
Two weeks later, she was sitting in a lawyer’s office, overlooking the harbour. The divorce papers were drawn up. Charles had sent her flowers, long apologies and promises of change. She had ignored them all. Trust, once broken, cannot be repaired with roses.
Claire resigned shortly after. Rumors circulated in the office, but Adriana didn’t pay attention to them. She was focused on Nora and rebuilding the life she had lost without realizing it.
One peaceful afternoon, Adriana took Nora to the park by the river. The sky was pale gold, the air light with the scent of rain. A group of monarch butterflies floated near the water.
« Look, Mom, » Nora said. They are so free. »
Adriana smiled. « Yes, my love. They can go wherever they want. »
Nora tilted her head. « Do they live in someone’s bed? »
Adriana laughed softly. « No, my dear. They live in the real world. »
Months passed. The divorce was pronounced discreetly. Charles moved to another city. Adriana sold their house and rented a smaller apartment near her sister’s house. She found a new job in public relations and, for the first time in years, she finally felt light.
One evening, as she was tucking in Nora, she noticed stickers of butterflies that glistened softly on the wall.
« Do you still love them? » she asked.
Nora nodded. « They make me happy. »
Adriana kissed him on the forehead. « Then keep them close to you. »
She turned off the lamp, standing in the silent room. For the first time in a long time, she felt inner peace – not the fragile calm of endurance, but the calm that comes from letting go.
She whispered in the darkness, « Goodbye, butterflies. »
And when she finally closed her eyes, she fell asleep without waiting for a door to open.
