Life had continued.
Not because grief disappeared.
But because love remained.
That evening, after the guests left, I received an envelope forwarded through Samantha’s office.
It was from Charles.
He was serving his sentence.
His handwriting looked older.
Less certain.
Victoria,
I’ve had a lot of time to think.
I was wrong about Lucas.
I was wrong about you.
I convinced myself the business was mine because I started it. I refused to see what Lucas had built, or what I was becoming.
When I saw you on the porch that morning, I knew you were hurt. I knew you were afraid.
And I walked away because I cared more about losing money than losing my daughter.
I don’t expect forgiveness.
I only hope Amelia never learns to fear you the way you learned to fear me.
I’m sorry.
I read the letter slowly.
Then I placed it inside a drawer.
