Chapter 16 - Victoria’s First Letter
Three years passed.
Victoria remained under court supervision after serving part of her sentence and completing mandatory treatment.
She requested permission to write Lily.
I asked Lily’s therapist.
Then I asked Lily.
“Do you want to hear from Victoria?”
Lily thought.
“Can you read it first?”
“Yes.”
The letter was short.
Lily,
What I did to you was wrong.
You did nothing to cause it.
You were never a mistake.
I was angry at people who were already gone, and I put that anger on you.
You do not owe me forgiveness.
I am sorry.
I looked at Lily.
“Do you want me to read it?”
She nodded.
When I finished, she asked:
“Do I have to answer?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
She went outside to ride her bicycle.
No dramatic reconciliation.
No emotional burden placed on a child.
May you like
Just choice.
Exactly as Claire would have wanted.
