599: DOWN TO THE DRESS

ARIEL'S POV Tessa placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Ariel, love isn't something you can just switch off like a light. It's messy, and it's complicated, and it's not always rational. But you have to remember, love isn't supposed to hurt like this." I nodded, feeling the weight of Tessa's words settling in my heart. "I know, I know. But I feel like if I give up on him, I'm giving up on a piece of myself. It's like the thought of not being with him feels like a kind of death." Tessa gave me a sympathetic look. "I know it's hard, but Ariel, you have to ask yourself, is that feeling worth sacrificing your self-respect? Your peace of mind? Your safety?" I swallowed hard, feeling tears threaten to spill over. Tessa pulled me into a hug, letting me rest my head against her shoulder. "It's okay to be scared, Ariel. And it's okay to feel all of these things. But just remember that you are so much more than a wife, more than a mom. You're a strong, amazing woman, and you deserve to