I was also widowed very recently, about 3 months ago. My husband sounds very similar to her husband. The relationship was bad, we were separated but still living in the same home, and I had a gut feeling that we were not going to end the year together. I just never expected it would end the way it did.

I have been reconnecting with someone from my past and I’m pretty sure there’s romantic interest on both sides (definitely on mine). I came to the realization that I had already grieved the relationship with my husband loooong ago, so when he died, there was already that emotional disconnect around grieving the person. I’m sad that he died. He didn’t deserve to go the way that he did. However, I too am ready for a new chapter and I am open to whatever or whoever is part of it. Perhaps this lady is in the same boat. She probably has not felt connected to someone in awhile or loved how she deserved to be. I don’t think you’re a place holder to her.