Chapter 9 - The Final Meeting
Two years later,
I saw Richard again.
Not in court.
Not during an argument.
At a charity event.
He looked older.
Smaller.
Human.
He approached carefully.
"Eleanor."
I turned.
"Richard."
He looked toward the lake behind me.
"You seem happy."
"I am."
He nodded.
"I was cruel."
The words surprised me.
Finally.
After all these years.
"I know."
He swallowed.
"I lost everything."
I looked at him.
"No.
You lost what you thought you owned."
He looked away.
"You were always stronger than I realized."
I smiled.
"No.
I was always stronger than you allowed yourself to see."
We stood silently.
Then he walked away.
And this time,
I didn't watch him leave with sadness.
May you like
I watched him leave with peace.
...
