Chapter 22 - Seraphine writes to Liora
Two years after sentencing, Seraphine requested permission to send a letter.
I refused.
Six months later, she asked again.
Liora was ten.
Her therapist said:
“Let Liora choose whether to receive it.”
I explained.
“She wrote an apology.”
“Do I have to read?”
“No.”
“Can you read first?”
“Yes.”
The letter said:
Liora,
I locked you in the bridal room during five parties.
There.
At first I told myself I was keeping you away from adult business conversations.
There.
Then:
I kept doing it because I became angry when you repeated things you heard and because I resented how important you were to your father.
There.
I knew you were frightened.
There.
I blocked the door anyway.
There.
Then:
You did not cause the engagement to end.
Your father and mine had already decided the arrangement should end because of choices I made involving business.
Good.
You did not cause my criminal case.
You told the truth about what happened.
Good.
Finally:
I am sorry.
No request to forgive.
No invitation.
No emotional debt.
Liora read.
Then asked:
“Can I throw it away?”
“Yes.”
She did.
May you like
That was her answer.
────────────────────
