Learning to Leave

Jess finds herself grappling with the aftermath of leaving her husband, Michael. She questions whether she made the right decision, haunted by self-doubt and memories of his promises to change. Inspired by a documentary about a rock star whose wife stuck by him, Jess briefly wonders if she gave up too soon. But reality reminds her that Michael isn't a misunderstood genius-he's a mechanic who refused to take responsibility for his actions. Her friend Angel's blunt messages, calling Michael a narcissistic prick, help Jess realise she's not crazy and affirm her decision to leave. However, Jess remains stuck in limbo, unable to fully heal as she faces the ongoing challenges of divorce and a bitter battle for assets.

Jess reflects on how she ended up in her unhappy marriage. She met Michael in 2008 and, desperate to settle down after a series of disastrous dates, ignored all the red flags. They were engaged within six months and married less than two years later. Jess recalls how Michael painted himself as a victim, blaming his exes and everyone else for his problems. His controlling, narcissistic tendencies were apparent even early on, but Jess was too eager for stability to acknowledge them. Now, looking back, she feels a mixture of regret, anger, and shame but also begins to understand that her decisions were driven by fear of loneliness, not stupidity.