Chapter 13 - The Letter From Charles
Margaret found another letter from Charles.
It was addressed to Clara.
She waited until Clara was ready.
Clara opened it alone.
Charles apologized.
Not for loving his family.
For allowing fear to convince him that controlling their lives was the same as protecting them.
He admitted that every month Clara remained hidden made correcting his mistake harder.
He begged her not to let his choices destroy her future with Ethan.
Clara cried for a long time.
Then she burned the letter.
Not from anger.
Because she no longer needed to carry it.
Ethan found her outside.
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
She smiled through tears.
“But I think I will be.”
He sat beside her.
Clara rested her head against his shoulder.
Neither spoke.
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Sometimes healing didn't need dialogue.
Sometimes it needed someone willing to remain when silence became uncomfortable.
