Chapter 15 - The Reckoning
Ten years after the trial, I received a letter.
It was from Brandon.
"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 stealing from you. I'm sorry for lying. I'm sorry for everything. I've had a lot of time to think. And I've realized something. You were right. You were always right. I was a coward. I was a liar. I was a thief. And you were the only one brave enough to stand up to me. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the woman you've become. And I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
I read the letter three times.
Then I put it in a drawer.
I didn't reply.
I didn't forgive.
But I didn't hate him anymore either.
I just felt nothing.
I walked to the window and looked out at the city. The sun was setting. The sky was pink and orange.
I thought about my family. About everything that had happened. About everything I had lost.
Then I thought about everything I had gained.
I was thirty years old. I had a husband. A career. A life.
And I had a promise to keep.
I was going to live the life Grandpa wanted for me.
I was going to be strong.
May you like
I was going to be free.
THE END
