CHAPTER 13 — THE APOLOGY
Evelyn looked at Hannah.
For a long time.
Finally, she spoke.
“I treated you terribly.”
Hannah said nothing.
“I thought I was protecting my son.”
I interrupted gently.
“You don't have to explain.”
“I know.”
My mother lowered her head.
“I was wrong.”
It was a simple sentence.
But perhaps it was the hardest sentence she had ever spoken.
Hannah looked at her.
“I can't forget everything immediately.”
“I understand.”
“I can't pretend nothing happened.”
“I understand.”
Hannah nodded.
“But if you really want to change...”
Evelyn looked at her.
“...then you can start by respecting the boundaries of our family.”
My mother nodded.
“I will try.”
I watched them.
Not every wound disappears because someone says sorry.
But some apologies are the first step toward opening a locked door.
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And this time...
I would be the one standing between that door and my family
