My Cousin Slapped My Eight-Year-Old Daughter and Said Our Family Never Needed a Girl—Then She Told Me to Ask Why My Father “Changed the Heir”
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Chapter 26 / 27
Chapter 26 - Octavia’s apology
After release and during supervision, Octavia requested permission to send Betsy a written apology.
Betsy was eleven.
Therapist asked:
“Do you want to read it?”
“Not now.”
We waited.
Six months later:
“Yes.”
The letter said:
I hit you because I was angry about a family system that had nothing to do with you.
Then:
I also spoke as though being a girl made you less important. I knew that was cruel when I said it.
Then:
I used your grandfather’s name to justify something he did not believe because it helped me financially and made me feel my branch of the family would remain powerful.
No:
I only wanted the best.
No:
You misunderstood.
Better.
Betsy folded the letter.
“Do I have to answer?”
May you like
“No.”
She didn’t.
