Chapter 23 - MERRYN AND LUCIENNE
I met my mother later.
Not because Osric did.
Because I wanted my own answer.
Neutral cafe.
No trust lawyers.
No money.
She looked old.
I felt older.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the trust?”
“You never wanted family involvement.”
“That is not the same thing as information.”
“I thought you would reject it.”
“Then let me.”
She looked away.
There.
Control dressed as prediction.
“You treated my independence like disrespect.”
“Yes.”
“And Osric paid for it.”
“Yes.”
“Why my sister’s daughter?”
“She stayed close.”
“My sister did.”
“Yes.”
“You rewarded obedience.”
“I rewarded continuity.”
I shook my head.
“Same thing in your vocabulary.”
She almost smiled.
Then stopped.
“I was wrong about the trust.”
“No. You knew the trust.”
That mattered.
“You were wrong to think you had the right to override it.”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
That was the closest we got to truth.
No hug.
No dramatic reconciliation.
May you like
Coffee.
Then separate cars.
