She had carried it with her for three years, but now that she was leaving Tanzania, it was no longer needed.
Even if she found herself in danger, Terence, thousands of kilometers away, couldn’t come to her aid. Or perhaps by then, he’d be newly married and too preoccupied to think about her at all.
Breaking the last connection between them, Halle picked up her suitcase, walked out the door, and got into the car.
She had arranged for an early departure, knowing her teammates would still be asleep. Apart from that, Halle also hated goodbyes and didn’t want to see tears shed over her leaving.
The red SUV sped northward, disappearing into the valleys just as the sun began to rise.
Along the way, Tanzanian antelopes grazed peacefully, wolves roamed the open fields, and their howls echoed faintly through the mountains.
Halle smiled to herself, feeling an unexpected sense of peace. Her time here hadn’t been wasted. Watching the animals thrive, running free across the land, her heart felt full.
At that moment, she understood why Terence had been so steadfast all these years.