Celeste’s Letter
Chapter 17 - Celeste’s Letter
Five years into her sentence, Celeste wrote to Ava through a court-approved restorative program.
Her first draft blamed Grant and Victor.
The program did not send it.
The second admitted that Celeste knew the guardianship record was false.
She admitted breaking the mirror and ordering Ava onto the rug.
She wrote:
I believed frightening you for one night was a small price for protecting the future I wanted.
Ava read the letter at fifteen with a counselor.
She remembered museum trips, pancakes, and Celeste braiding her hair.
She also remembered the glass.
The counselor explained that affection and harm could exist in the same relationship. One did not erase the other.
Celeste asked whether Ava might visit someday.
Ava replied:
No. Your honesty matters, but it does not create access to me.
Nathan supported the response.
He did not tell Ava forgiveness was necessary for peace.
Celeste later provided account codes that recovered additional scholarship funds.
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The cooperation helped children.
It did not purchase a relationship.
