Chapter 18 - PRESTON AFTER PRISON
Preston was released after serving the custodial portion of his sentence and meeting legal requirements.
He did not return to Hale executive leadership.
His company board allowed him a passive economic role but no operational authority for several years.
He moved west.
Entered long-term therapy.
I knew because his lawyer sent annual no-contact compliance confirmations.
I did not track him otherwise.
Then one letter arrived.
Allowed through counsel.
I could decline.
I read.
Giulietta,
I spent the first year telling myself I was trying to scare you, not hurt you.
Then:
That sentence was how I avoided admitting scaring you was the point.
Good.
Then:
I wanted you to sign because I had promised my father you would. I treated your refusal as humiliation.
Then:
The golf club was not a mistake in the sense I used that word afterward. Bringing it upstairs was a choice. Locking the door was a choice. Swinging was a choice.
Specific.
Then:
I am sorry.
No request for forgiveness.
May you like
I filed the letter.
Did not answer.
