Chapter 9 - The Last ConversationTwo years after our divorce, I received one final letter from Julian.
He was serving his sentence.
He asked if I would visit.
I almost refused.
Then I decided I wanted closure.
The prison visiting room was cold.
Julian looked older.
Much older.
He stood when I entered.
“Elena.”
“Julian.”
We sat.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Finally, he said:
“You look happy.”
“I am.”
“I heard about your company.”
“We're doing well.”
“I knew you would.”
I looked at him.
“Why did you ask me here?”
“I wanted to say something without asking you for anything.”
I waited.
“I'm sorry.”
I said nothing.
“I know it doesn't fix anything.”
“No.”
“I know you don't owe me forgiveness.”
“No.”
He nodded.
“I just wanted you to hear it.”
I looked at the man sitting across from me.
Once, I had loved him.
Once, I had believed he was my future.
Now he was simply someone from my past.
“I forgive you,” I said.
His eyes filled with tears.
“But I don't want you back.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
“I hope you become a better man.”
“I will.”
I stood.
He looked at me.
“Were you ever happy with me?”
I smiled sadly.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
I walked away.
Outside, the sun was shining.
May you like
For the first time, I didn't feel like I was escaping something.
I was walking toward something.
