Chapter 16 - The Husband Who Asked for Forgiveness
Grant looked older in court.
Not dramatically.
Just diminished.
He pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy, falsification of records, and other charges.
Before sentencing, he asked to address me.
The judge allowed it.
Grant turned.
“Claire, I know there is nothing I can say.”
For once, he was correct.
“I entered your life for the wrong reason.”
The courtroom was silent.
“But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you.”
I felt no satisfaction.
No rage.
Only sadness.
He continued.
“I kept telling myself I could get out. Then there was always another lie.”
I thought about six years.
Thousands of mornings.
Birthdays.
Christmases.
Dad's dinners.
Our wedding.
“You deserved better.”
I answered quietly.
“Yes.”
Grant began crying.
I didn't.
That surprised me.
For months, I had imagined confronting him.
I thought I would deliver some devastating speech.
Instead, I simply said:
“I hope someday you become the person you pretended to be.”
Then I sat down.
May you like
That was enough.
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