Chapter 13 - Daniel Stops Being the Favorite
Rebecca asked Daniel to meet alone.
They sat at the edge of the dock.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Rebecca said:
“I hated you.”
Daniel looked at the water.
“I know.”
“I thought Dad always chose you.”
“He didn’t.”
“I know that now.”
She told him about years of small resentments.
Daniel getting praised for moving away and building his career.
Rebecca staying close and helping Robert.
Every errand began feeling like a sacrifice.
Every compliment Daniel received felt like theft.
She never said any of it.
Instead, she kept score.
Daniel listened.
Then said:
“You being hurt doesn’t make what you did okay.”
“I know.”
“And me not seeing your resentment doesn’t make me responsible for it.”
Rebecca cried.
“I know.”
That mattered.
Not reconciliation.
May you like
Not yet.
But honesty without assigning Daniel the bill.
