Chapter 12 - The Family Meeting
Two years later, I graduated from college.
I had a degree in finance. A minor in criminal justice. And a job offer from a top investment firm in New York.
I had also written a book. It was called "The $224,000 Betrayal." It was a memoir about my family. About the theft. About the trial. About the journey.
The book was a bestseller.
I was invited to speak at universities. At conferences. At charity events.
I told my story. I told it a hundred times.
And every time, I ended with the same words: "Family isn't about blood. It's about trust. It's about love. It's about being there for each other."
Then one day, I received a letter.
It was from my mother.
"Dear Maya," it read. "I know you probably don't want to hear from me. But I need to say something. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry for what I let happen. I'm sorry for choosing your brother over you. I'm sorry for everything. I know you can't forgive me. But I want you to know that I love you. I've always loved you. And I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the woman you've become."
I read the letter three times.
Then I put it in a drawer.
I didn't reply.
I didn't forgive.
May you like
But I didn't hate her anymore either.
I just felt nothing.
