Chapter 12
Vanessa reached out to me two years after the trial.
She had completed her community service. She was working two jobs. She was paying restitution.
She asked to meet.
I agreed. Public place. Daytime.
She looked different. Softer. Humbler.
"Claire. I just... I wanted to say I'm sorry. Not the kind of sorry you say in court. The real kind. I was terrible to you. I let my mother use me. I let Todd use me. And I hurt you. I don't expect forgiveness. I just needed you to know I know what I did."
I looked at her.
I should have hated her.
But she looked like a woman who had finally woken up.
"Thank you for saying that," I said. "I don't forgive you. Not yet. But I appreciate the apology."
She nodded.
"I understand. I'll keep paying. Every month. Until it's all paid back."
She left.
I sat there for a long time.
And I realized something.
I didn't hate her anymore.
I didn't hate Margaret. I didn't hate Todd. I didn't even hate Daniel.
May you like
I just... didn't care.
And that was the greatest freedom of all.
