Chapter 8 - The Apology I Never ExpectedA year after the wedding, Vanessa came to my apartment.
She stood outside my door for nearly five minutes before knocking.
When I opened it, she looked nervous.
"Can I come in?"
I hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
She entered.
She looked different.
No expensive dress.
No perfect makeup.
No performance.
Just Vanessa.
She sat on the couch.
"I don't know where to start."
"Start with the truth."
She nodded.
"I was jealous of you."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you didn't need people to like you."
I was surprised.
"I always thought you were more confident."
"I wasn't."
She looked down.
"I was terrified."
She continued.
"You were good at things without trying to impress anyone."
I listened.
"I thought everyone would eventually realize I wasn't as perfect as they thought."
"So you made me look worse."
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because if you were the problem, nobody would look at me."
I felt tears rise.
"That was cruel."
"I know."
She looked at me.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Good."
She smiled sadly.
"I deserve that."
We sat in silence.
Then she pulled something from her bag.
A small envelope.
Inside was a check.
The amount was exactly what she owed me.
Every dollar.
"I don't want anything from you."
She nodded.
"I know."
Then she stood.
"I just wanted to give this back."
I looked at her.
"Why now?"
"Because I finally understand something."
"What?"
"Money wasn't what I stole from you."
I waited.
"Trust."
She began crying.
"I don't know if I can ever earn it back."
"Maybe not."
She nodded.
"But I hope someday you don't need to hate me."
I looked at her.
"I don't hate you."
She froze.
"I don't."
"What do you feel?"
I thought about it.
"Sadness."
She nodded.
"I understand."
She walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned.
"Claire?"
"Yes?"
"I'm proud of you."
Those words would once have meant everything.
Now they simply felt like closure.
"Thank you."
She left.
I closed the door.
Then I cried.
May you like
Not because I wanted her back.
Because I finally didn't.
