Chapter 19 - THE LAST VISIT
Years later, Claire requested one final meeting.
I almost refused.
But I went.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Older.
Human.
Not innocent.
Human.
“I wanted to see whether you came,” she said.
“I almost didn't.”
She nodded.
“You always were stubborn.”
“I learned from my wife.”
Claire looked down.
“I hated Emily.”
“I know.”
“No. You don't.”
She took a breath.
“I hated that she could walk into a room and make people believe in themselves. I hated that Ethan loved her without needing anything from her.”
I said nothing.
“I thought if I took enough from her, I would become her.”
“You didn't.”
“I know.”
She looked at me.
“Did you ever forgive me?”
I considered the question.
“No.”
Her face fell.
“But I stopped carrying you.”
She looked confused.
“What does that mean?”
“You don't live in my head anymore.”
For the first time, Claire cried.
I stood.
“I hope you find peace.”
She whispered, “Why would you wish that for me?”
“Because I don't wish this life on anyone.”
I left.
Outside the prison, the sky was bright.
My phone buzzed.
Sophie.
She was graduating from college.
She had chosen child psychology.
Nora had a message too.
Dinner tonight?
I smiled.
Yes.
When I got home, Sophie was waiting on the porch.
She hugged me.
“Dad.”
“Hey.”
“I got the fellowship.”
I pulled back.
“What fellowship?”
“The Emily Carter Memorial Fellowship.”
My eyes filled with tears.
She had applied without telling me.
“It funds children who lose parents.”
I couldn't speak.
She smiled.
“I wanted Mommy's name to help people.”
I hugged her again.
That was the moment I knew the story had finally changed.
Emily's death had once been the thing that stole our future.
May you like
Now her name was helping build one.
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