Chapter 12 - Preston’s Letter
Five years into Preston’s sentence, he wrote me.
I almost threw it away.
Then read.
Harper, I do not expect forgiveness. I spent years convincing myself the Hawthornes humiliated my father and that restoring Whitmore control justified anything. What I actually wanted was to be the son who repaired the family story. Grant became useful because he needed my approval. Sloane became useful because she needed Grant’s promises. You became the enemy because you had the legal power to stop me. I turned every person into a function.
Accurate.
He continued.
I hated you because you did not know you were defeating me. That may be the most childish truth I have.
I laughed.
Then:
I am sorry.
No request.
I wrote back one sentence.
Use the years you have left to become someone who does not need enemies to explain himself.
May you like
He never responded.
That was fine.
