Chapter 19 - THE FAMILY THEY CHOSEYears passed.
Michael and Emily remained married.
Their marriage was not perfect.
But it was honest.
Lily became part of their lives.
Not as a replacement for the family she had lost.
As someone who deserved a new family.
Claire eventually forgave Robert.
Not completely.
But enough to stop carrying the anger every day.
Margaret was released from prison years later.
She lived alone.
She no longer tried to control anyone.
When Michael visited her, their conversations were awkward.
Sometimes they lasted ten minutes.
Sometimes an hour.
One day, Margaret asked:
“Do you hate me?”
Michael looked at her.
“No.”
She began crying.
“Why not?”
“Because I spent too long carrying anger.”
He paused.
“But I will never forget what you did.”
Margaret nodded.
May you like
“I don't want you to.”
And perhaps that was the closest thing to forgiveness they would ever have.
