Chapter 21 - Margaret's Letter
Two years after the assault, Margaret sent a letter through her attorney.
Not directly to Noah.
To me.
Her release was not yet imminent.
The letter began:
Daniel,
I called Noah a word I had no right to use.
Good start.
Then:
I told myself I was defending the family name when what I was actually defending was my control over what the family looked like.
I stopped.
Read again.
She continued:
Claire did not take you from me.
Noah did not replace me.
Your home did not become less mine because of them. It was never mine to command in the way I believed.
That sentence mattered.
Then:
I kicked a child.
No euphemism.
“I caused his fall. I could have killed him.”
My stomach tightened.
Then:
“You were right to remove my access to him. Whether I ever see him again should not be decided by what I want.”
I did not reply.
May you like
Accountability is not a summons.
No response required.
