Michelle Williams felt "inconsolable" when she left the house she lived in with Heath Ledger.
Michelle Williams
The 'Manchester by the Sea' star lived with the late 'Dark Knight Rises' actor - who tragically died of an accidental overdose in 2008, fourth months after their relationship ended - and their daughter Matilda, 11, in Brooklyn, and has opened up about how heartbroken she was when she left the home they'd built together because she felt like she was leaving Heath behind.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she shared: "At that time, I was inconsolable. Because I felt, 'How will he be able to find us?'"
On reflection, the 36-year-old actress - who dated Heath for three years from 2004 to 2007 - feels "sad" for how she used to feel and how she thought he'd never be able to find her and her daughter in their new abode.
She added: "This is where we lived, and he won't know where we are.
"And now I can't believe I thought that.
"Maybe that's what's making me cry is I feel sad for the person who thought he won't be able to locate [us]."
Michelle has decided to put dating on hold to ensure she does her best by her daughter, but admits she finds it hard to compartmentalise what it is to be in love as she has learnt how to go it alone for so long.
She told the publication: "It's hard to romanticise romance when you're 36.
"When you've been a parent for 11 years and you've done it alone, you don't have romantic ideals, because you have a practical understanding that you can do it by yourself.
"The romantic idea of meeting your person and having a storybook family life that looks like the model you grew up with - that doesn't really exist for me."
On why she hasn't tied the knot with anyone she has dated since Heath's death, she added: "I've not gotten married because I have not had a person to whom I would - so I have not let my sense of conformity or duty override my instincts."
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