Chapter 14 - Margaret Finally Uses The Right Word
Nearly three years later, Margaret sent Daniel a letter through her attorney.
She had completed court-ordered treatment and continued therapy privately.
The letter did not ask to see Noah.
That was new.
She wrote:
I kept calling it treatment because if I called it abuse, I had to admit I abused my grandson and participated in abusing my son.
Daniel stopped reading.
Then continued.
Margaret wrote that she had built her identity around being the person who understood Daniel’s health better than doctors.
When Robert stopped the old program, she experienced it as humiliation.
Noah became her chance to prove she had been right.
She had valued being right over Noah feeling safe.
Daniel gave the letter to his therapist.
Months later, he told Emily about it.
They did not show Noah yet.
At ten, Noah knew Margaret had hurt and frightened him.
He did not need to carry her remorse.
That belonged to her.
Maybe one day he would choose to read it.
May you like
Maybe not.
For the first time, Margaret’s apology did not create an obligation for the person she harmed.
