Time flew. Before they knew it, the week was over. Daniel and Fiona packed their bags. They had let go of the idea of adding another week. They wanted to work at home on the decision they had taken: to let go of each other, to divorce.

When they said good-bye, all the employees of the boarding house were present. Of the guests Janny and Marcel were there too. They had had regular contact in the past week and for them too it felt like saying good-bye.

Fiona looked around the circle, with tears in her eyes. "Thank you all, we had a great time here. You have all been a very good example for us. We have seen the difference between your relationships and our relationship. You are so attached to each other, so intense, so intimate, you really are one as couples. Daniel and I have always had a good time together, but we seem to miss the most important thing."

She looked at Daniel, whereupon he took over, "Yes, we both experience it that way. And that's why we decided to let go of each other after all. The idea that we would be responsible for each other's happiness and therefore should stay together seems to work the other way around. We rather work against each other, even though we don't want to. We let go of each other, so that each of us can continue to grow separately, to heal from within. The short conversations with you have also helped us to learn to go straight through our pain. We have already had a few of those intense moments. It was difficult, but we noticed that each time after that we felt a little freer, as if we had more space. It relieved, yes really, it relieved! And we want to continue with that. We absolutely want to part as friends, there is no reason for anger towards each other. At most sadness and disappointment. But even that disappointment I do not experience as a disappointment in Fiona, but as a disappointment in our relationship. Maybe it's more a longing for what you guys have, that deep connection."

Fiona nodded, "Absolutely, that's it, that longing. And yes, we part as friends," she said, looking up at Daniel, smiling. "Our house has always been my place, my home. I've felt at home there from the beginning. And Daniel knew that, and he has decided that I can continue to live there. He's going to look for another house himself. And how we divide the rest, how we're going to do it financially, we're going to figure that out in the next week or weeks. We're in no hurry, we'll see how it goes."

Fiona sighed deeply, "So don't be sad about us, we were able to make the right decision here, and we are grateful to you for that. We can move on, even if we have to go through some difficult things. Right through that I experience hope, especially hope because I will become more myself, as I am inside. Emotional healing... it will not be easy, but I will get rid of everything that does not belong to me, all that excess ballast. I recognize myself in Lisa, in who she is, that powerful woman, that is already becoming visible. I feel that in myself too. But I still have to get rid of a lot of shit. It's going to be okay, with all of us! What do you think Daniel, shall we just go?"

Daniel smiled at her and pulled her against him for a moment. "That seems like a good plan!" They said goodbye and left, waved after by a group of grateful people.

"Tough for Daniel and Fiona, but good, hopeful. It's true what Fiona said: it's going to be okay! Annerieke, I think in this couple your goal has been reached again: one step further on the road of inner healing!"

Annerieke smiled at Janny, "Exactly, that is our heart's desire. Marcel and you helped us with that last week. And yes, the goal has been achieved in them, beautiful!"

To chapter 186. Farewell after vacation with depth

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