HUSBAND: “You’re DIVORCING me? After all these years?”
WIFE: “Yes. I am.”
HUSBAND: “But why? Grace, I love you… I’ve NEVER cheated!”
WIFE: “I know. You didn’t cheat. But what you did was WORSE.”
HUSBAND: “Worse!? I did NOTHING! Are you having an affair?”
WIFE: “No, I’m NOT. And if you don’t believe me, you can ask your EX-WIFE.”
HUSBAND: “MY EX!? How did you…”
WIFE: “I met her on the plane. We talked. And she told me you used to do the exact same thing to her.”
HUSBAND (stammering): “Do… what? What are you even talking about?”
WIFE (calm but firm): “You dismiss feelings. You disappear emotionally. You shut down every time someone needs you the most. You think not cheating is enough? That loyalty means love?”
HUSBAND: “But I was there! I provided. I worked hard. I gave you a good life—”
WIFE: “You gave me a house, not a home. You gave me a schedule, not time. You gave me promises, not presence.”
HUSBAND (quieter now): “So this is it? You’re just… done?”
WIFE (nods): “I begged for connection. I begged you to see me. You just kept saying ‘you’re overreacting’ or ‘we’ll talk later’. Well, it’s later now. And I’m done.”
HUSBAND: “And you’re leaving everything behind? Just like that?”
WIFE (softly): “I’m not leaving everything behind. I’m leaving nothing behind. Because that’s what I’ve had for years — nothing that mattered.”
(She turns toward the door, picking up her suitcase.)
HUSBAND (voice cracking): “Grace, wait… please…”
(She pauses, looking back for a moment.)
WIFE: “Tell your next wife to listen when love gets quiet. It never leaves all at once — it fades. And you never noticed.”
(She walks out. The door closes. Silence.)