“No, Mark. I’m not angry. I’m just done. Done with the need for approval from those who will never give it, done with excuses for behavior that doesn’t suit me, and done with pretending everything is okay when it’s not.”

With that, I picked up my purse, the red wine still damp on my dress, and turned to leave. The restaurant watched in stunned silence as I walked away from the table, my head held high.

As I reached the exit, I paused and looked back, meeting Margaret’s eyes one last time. “I hope one day you find the kindness you seem to have misplaced,” I said softly, before stepping out into the cool night air.

The world outside felt different—brighter, more open. I had no idea what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain: I had found my voice, and I would never let it be silenced again.

That night marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one where I embraced my strengths and refused to let anyone dim my shine. It was the night I chose to stand up for myself, and I would never look back.