Mark, on the other hand, quickly discovered that his decision was not the liberating escape he had envisioned. The grass on the other side, as it turned out, was not as green. He found himself haunted by the hollow echo of his choices, realizing too late that the true strength was in standing by someone through thick and thin.

In the end, it was Mark who was left alone, and Harley who emerged stronger, surrounded by those who truly cherished her. She understood now that the real abandonment was not hers to bear, but his—a self-imposed exile from authentic love and loyalty.