Anna,

You were my life. I gave you 21 years of loyalty, love, and everything I had. I stood by you through things most people would’ve walked away from. I worked hard to build a life for us while you quietly built your way out.

You used to call me your twin — said no one knew you like I did. I believed you. I thought we were soulmates, two halves of the same strange, messy whole. I never imagined you’d be the one to walk away, let alone like this.

It always felt like someone else was in your heart. Someone else always had your attention, always got your smiles, your flirtation, your “I love you’s.” Meanwhile, I was right there — trying to hold your hand, kiss you, hug you, touch you, love you — and you turned away. I went to bed alone. I begged for closeness and connection and got rejection, excuses, cold silence. You made me feel invisible in my own home. Unwanted. Unloved.

Even Max — when we put him down — his eyes were crusted over like he’d been neglected for days. It crushed me. I loved that dog like family. And you barely looked up from your phone. I asked you to say goodbye, but the screen mattered more. It felt like I was watching you treat him the way you’ve treated me — like an afterthought.

And part of me can’t help but feel you were already trying to turn that moment into sympathy from someone new.

When I came back for my things, I saw it. The way you were glued to your phone. The way you checked your reflection in the mirror. You were talking to him, probably arranging the next piece of your life while I packed mine into boxes. Then you said, “Looks like you got everything.” I told you I loved you. You said it back — and then said maybe someday we’d be back together.

But I’m not holding on to that. That version of me — the man who kept forgiving, who kept hoping, who kept trying — is gone.

You didn’t just let me go. You threw me away.

You treated me like a burden — something to tolerate, to manage, to pay off. You drained me emotionally, financially, physically. You took my loyalty, my affection, my devotion — and gave me silence, lies, and distance in return.

And still, I never meant to hurt you. I loved you with everything I had. But you chose this. Not me.

There’s no more “someday.”

Goodbye,
— Derrick

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I didn’t deserve this.