Victoria Without the House
Chapter 15 - Victoria Without the House
Victoria wrote Lily three letters from prison.
The first defended herself.
The second blamed Marcus.
The third apologized.
James gave all three to the child advocate, who recommended waiting until Lily was older.
He did not destroy them.
He did not deliver them.
He stopped making unilateral decisions about which truth Lily could handle.
At thirteen, Lily chose to read the apology.
Victoria wrote:
I believed your family had taken my childhood, and I convinced myself your inheritance was repayment. You were a child, not a debt. I knew that and continued anyway.
Lily read the sentence twice.
“Do I have to forgive her?”
“No.”
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
“What should I do?”
James answered.
“You decide what keeps you honest and safe.”
Lily placed the letter in a box.
She did not reply.
May you like
Not yet.
Choice had replaced obligation.
