Chapter 10 - Diane Comes Back
Diane disappeared from my life for nearly a year.
Then she appeared at Grace's second birthday.
Not inside.
Across the street.
She stood beside an old sedan holding a wrapped present.
Brendan saw her first.
His entire body stiffened.
“I told her not to come.”
I believed him.
Diane looked older.
Richard's conviction had cost her almost everything built on his fraudulent income. The mansion had been sold. Friends disappeared. Invitations stopped.
Money had insulated her from consequences.
Without it, she finally had to meet herself.
I walked outside.
Brendan followed several steps behind.
Diane held out the present.
“For Grace.”
“No.”
Her face crumpled.
“Please.”
“You assaulted me twice.”
“I know.”
“You humiliated me while I was pregnant.”
“I know.”
“You blamed me for your husband's crimes.”
“I know.”
“Why are you here?”
She cried quietly.
“Because I don't know how to fix any of it.”
“You may not be able to.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
That answer mattered more than another apology.
I did not invite her inside.
But I accepted the gift.
“That's all I can give you today.”
Diane nodded.
“It's more than I deserve.”
She walked away.
Brendan looked at me.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Why take it?”
“Because boundaries don't have to be revenge.”
He smiled faintly.
“You've changed.”
“No.”
May you like
I looked toward the house where Grace was laughing.
“I finally stopped confusing kindness with surrender.”
