That night, while he slept, I packed one suitcase. I didn\u2019t take furniture. I didn\u2019t shout or slam anything. I drove to the small apartment my aunt had left me years earlier\u2014a place Daniel barely remembered, empty but waiting. I slept there peacefully, steadier than I had felt in a long time.<\/p>\n
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At first light, I returned to our shared apartment. Daniel was still unconscious from the night before. I didn\u2019t wake him. Using the red lipstick he once bought me\u2014and later mocked for being \u201coverly dramatic\u201d\u2014I wrote carefully on the bathroom mirror.<\/p>\n
Then I placed the keys on the counter and walked out, closing the door softly behind me.<\/strong><\/h1>\n
When Daniel finally woke up alone, calling my name and blinking through confusion, he stepped into the bathroom\u2014and stopped cold as he read the words staring back at him.<\/p>\n
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