She thanked me and headed toward her desk with a lighter step.

I entered my office and set down my coffee.

Through the windows, the city was waking beneath a clear spring sky.

A year earlier, I had been waiting to learn which woman my husband would stand beside.

I had believed that choice would define my future.

Now I understood that it was never his decision alone.

I had the right to choose myself, and I had responsibilities to everyone whose work made the company possible.

I opened my notebook to a clean page.