Chapter 25 - ETHAN APOLOGIZES WITHOUT ASKING
Ethan was fifty-eight when he asked to speak privately.
Rose was twenty-six.
No custody issues.
No lawyers needed.
I agreed in a hotel lobby.
Public.
Habit.
He said:
“I spent years apologizing for hitting you as if that was the first thing I did wrong.”
I waited.
“It wasn’t.”
“What was?”
“Letting you believe you were alone.”
There.
“I knew Richard existed.”
“Yes.”
“I knew the trust existed before you did.”
“Yes.”
“I knew Mom was using your dependence.”
“Yes.”
“I told myself I wasn’t responsible because I disagreed with her sometimes.”
That was the hardest truth.
Passive resistance can coexist with participation.
“I wanted the merger.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted the money.”
“Yes.”
“I also loved you.”
“I know.”
His face crumpled.
“I thought those facts could cancel each other.”
“They don’t.”
“I know.”
No request for forgiveness.
No hug.
May you like
We had coffee.
Then left separately.
