"Final Visit: Accepting the End"

Under the gray, oppressive sky, Ellen approached the imposing brick structure of the prison. The air was thick with the hum of distant machinery and the clamor of distant conversations, a stark contrast to the silence she felt inside.

As Ellen passed through the security checks and metal detectors, she clutched a small bag of personal items—a few photographs, a book, and a letter. The guards' indifferent nods and the relentless clang of gates only heightened the gravity of what she was about to face.

When she finally entered the visiting room, she found her husband, David, already seated at a table, his hands clasped and his gaze fixed on the floor. The sight of him brought a sharp pang to her heart. Time had etched its marks on his face, and the prison uniform he wore seemed to swallow him whole.

Ellen sat down across from him, her breath catching slightly. She placed the small bag on the table and managed a weak smile. “Hi, David.”

David looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of guilt and resignation. “Hi, Ellen. How are you?”

His question felt almost rhetorical, an acknowledgment of the insurmountable distance that had grown between them. Ellen took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “I’m doing okay. I’ve been keeping busy.”

There was an awkward silence as David fidgeted with the edge of the table, his face a mask of suppressed emotions.

“I got your letter,” David finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I... I didn’t know what to say. I’m sorry for everything.”

Ellen’s eyes softened, but the weight of her decision was unwavering. “I read your letter too. It’s clear to me now that we can’t go back to what we had. I’ve tried, David, I’ve really tried to make sense of everything, but...”

Her voice faltered, but she steadied herself. “But I can’t keep living in this limbo. I need to move forward. I need to live a life that isn’t overshadowed by what happened.”

She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. “It’s not just about who you are now. It’s about what we’ve lost and the future that’s been taken from us. I need to think about myself and what’s best for me.”

David’s gaze fell to the table, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I’m so sorry, Ellen. I wish I could undo everything.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of their situation settling heavily between them. Ellen took out the photographs and placed them gently on the table. “I brought these for you.

David glanced at the photos, a tear slipping down his cheek. “Thank you. I’ll cherish these.”

Ellen took a deep breath, feeling the finality of their situation. “I need to go now. I hope you can find some peace here, and I hope you understand why I have to do this.”

David nodded, his eyes filled with an understanding sadness. “I understand. I wish you all the best, Ellen.”

As Ellen stood up and walked towards the exit, she felt a profound sense of closure. The pain of their ending was immense, but she knew it was the right decision.

The prison doors closed behind her with a final, resonant clang, symbolizing the end of a chapter that had once held so much promise. Ellen stepped into the cold air, ready to face the future, armed with the knowledge that while their marriage was over, she was ready to embrace the new life that lay ahead.