Chapter 18 - What Forgiveness Means
Rebecca came to Elena’s apartment six months later.
She stood outside holding a cardboard box filled with Chloe’s childhood photographs.
“I kept everything,” she said.
Elena let her inside.
They talked for four hours.
Rebecca apologized without excuses.
She admitted fear had controlled her.
Elena did not immediately forgive her.
Some wounds deserved time.
But when Rebecca prepared to leave, Elena stopped her.
“Chloe loves you.”
Rebecca cried.
“I love her too.”
“I know.”
Elena looked at her sister.
“I don't know what we’ll be again.”
Rebecca nodded.
“But?”
“But we can find out.”
It was not complete forgiveness.
It was something more realistic.
A beginning.
That evening, Elena and Chloe spread the photographs across the floor.
Five years of Elena’s absence stared back at them.
Instead of hiding the pictures, Elena asked Chloe to tell her every story.
May you like
They stayed awake until midnight.
For once, neither feared tomorrow.
