Chapter 13 - My Children Came Back to the Forest Where They Had Tried to Kill MeTen years after the night in the forest, we returned.
Not because we were afraid.
Because the land had become part of the foundation.
The tree was still there.
The rope marks were gone.
The trail was overgrown.
Monica stood beside me.
Edward remained incarcerated.
Brian had been released.
Alice came.
Victor came under supervised conditions.
We stood beneath the same tree.
No guards.
No weapons.
Just family.
Monica cried.
“I can't believe we did this.”
I looked at her.
“Neither can I.”
Brian touched the bark.
“I thought you'd die.”
“I almost did.”
He lowered his head.
Alice stood beside me.
“This place should become something.”
“What?”
“A memorial.”
I nodded.
We created a small garden.
A plaque.
POWER WITHOUT LOVE DESTROYS.
Underneath:
CHOOSE DIFFERENTLY.
Victor read it.
He whispered:
“Your husband should have seen this.”
I nodded.
“Maybe.”
Then Monica asked:
“Do you hate us?”
I thought.
“No.”
“Do you forgive us?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life tied to this tree.”
Silence.
That was the truth.
May you like
Forgiveness wasn't for them.
It was for me.
Related Stories
