Sometimes Liberation Wears Glitter
Most people left within the hour, but one of Ryan’s friends, Zach, stayed behind.
He handed me a drink and said, “That was the best comeback I’ve seen in a long time.”
Then he paused, met my eyes, and added, “For what it’s worth… I always thought you deserved better.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Better than a fake career celebration followed by gaslighting and ego?”
He grinned. “Better than a guy who makes a joke out of the things that matter to you most.”
Before he left, he asked me out.
I said, “Only if you promise not to fake-celebrate my career—or my hairline.”
He laughed. “Deal.”
What I Thought Would Be a Proposal… Was Actually My Freedom
That night wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t get a diamond ring. I didn’t start planning a wedding.
Instead, I discovered something far more valuable: clarity.
Clarity that love shouldn’t make you feel small. That jokes aren’t harmless when they mock your hurt. That standing up for yourself might feel terrifying—but it also feels like coming home to who you truly are.
