Contract out

"Do you feel guilt?" the therapist asked from the chair across the room.

"About what?" the client asked for clarity.

"About thinking about someone else, wanting someone else, at this stage of your separation?" the therapist replied.

"Not really." The client continued, "I know I would never act on it until the final line was drawn and the terms between us had changed - I'm not out to hurt anyone in this scenario. That's not fair for any party involved. It should be clear and kind, through and through."

"That's good, as the guilt is unnecessary baggage in the process of letting go," the therapist counseled. "The heart has its own contract. When the heart's not in it anymore, you know that those ties have been cut. The piece of paper is just a piece of paper at that point."