“Because I know you, Gina. You were meant to do great things with your life, and I can’t be the one holding you back from going after what you want. So it’s better this way.”
When I looked up, Gina was wiping away tears. I wanted to go to her and comfort her, but there was nothing I could say would make this moment better for either of us. I had hurt her, and there was no making it better.
We just had to get through the next few minutes, and then she would be free to move on with her life without me holding her back.
That was all that I wanted for her.
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper as my gaze locked with her. The edges of my vision were blurry. “I wish that there was another way, but this is what has to happen. I do love you.”
Gina gave a sharp nod before she got up and walked to the door. She held it open and looked at me.
“I think it’s time that you go now. I need some time alone.”
“Gina, I’m sorry.”
She shrugged as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “I always knew there was a chance this wouldn’t work out. Unfortunately, I must live with that reality now, but it will be easier to handle with you gone.”
“Let me know if you need anything for the baby. We might not be together anymore, but I don’t want to miss out on a minute of the baby’s life.”
“You’re going to miss out on a lot of it. That’s the truth of this mess.” She held the door open a little wider. “I’m going to take next week off, and then I’ll bring you my resignation letter on Monday.”
“What are you talking about?”
I was a little shocked. Not once did I think about her leaving her job. She was too good at her job to abandon it.
“Brandon, do you honestly believe I could still work beside you every day without being miserable?”
“I thought we would figure it out,” I said as I entered the hall.
She shook her head and wiped away another tear. “There’s nothing left to figure out. You’ve made the choices that protect your family, and now I have to make those that protect mine. We can’t fault each other for that.”
Gina closed the door before I could argue with her about what she was doing.
Each step from her apartment felt like another nail being driven into the coffin.
A part of me said I was doing the wrong thing.
However, Gina was right. I had decided to protect my family.
At what cost, though?