Chapter 12 - The Man Who Once Raised Me to Fear Became the Man Who Asked My ForgivenessDerek's father remained in prison.
He sent letters.
At first, I ignored them.
Then I read one.
Emma,
I was wrong.
I told myself I was protecting my family.
Really, I was protecting my power.
I don't expect forgiveness.
But I hope you let Derek become someone better.
I folded the letter.
Then showed it to Derek.
He cried.
“Do you forgive him?”
I asked.
“No.”
“But?”
“I understand him.”
That was enough.
Forgiveness didn't need to happen immediately.
Maybe it never needed to.
We visited him once.
My daughter came too.
Howard looked at her.
He cried.
“She's beautiful.”
“She is.”
He looked at me.
“You kept her safe.”
“Yes.”
“I couldn't.”
“No.”
He smiled sadly.
“You won.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“My daughter won.”
He looked at my daughter.
“She always was stronger than me.”
My daughter didn't understand.
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She simply hugged me.
And that was the moment I realized the family cycle was finally over.
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