Melisande ripped Ivo’s medal from his neck, pushed him from the decorated chair, and placed it on her own daughter.
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Chapter 26 / 27
Chapter 26 - THE LAST THING MELISANDE WANTED
Years after the original celebration, Melisande asked me one final question.
We were at Mom’s house.
No children present.
“Do you think I ruined my daughter?”
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“You hurt her.”
“Yes.”
“You taught her for a while that achievement was how she kept you proud.”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“But she had Aaron. Teachers. Herself. Time. You changed too.”
“Do you trust me?”
“With what?”
She laughed sadly.
“Good answer.”
I thought.
“I trust you not to take Ivo’s achievements.”
Low bar.
True.
“I trust you to listen more than you used to.”
She nodded.
“Do you love me?”
That question belonged to sisters, not court files.
“Yes.”
“Do you like me?”
“Sometimes.”
She laughed.
So did I.
No full reunion.
May you like
No perfect forgiveness.
A relationship rebuilt in smaller rooms.
