felt a grief that I hadn't anticipated. It wasn't the kind of grief that comes from love or deep friendship, but more from the emptiness of what could have been, what once was. The loss felt distant, yet real—a reminder of the time and energy spent, the memories now tainted by pain. I know I made the right choice, but that doesn’t stop the sadness from creeping in. I wish I could have given her the chance to heal, to find peace, but I also know I had to find my own first.