Chapter 9
Odile asked to apologize to Imogen.
Imogen said no.
Three months later, still no.
Good.
Apologies do not create schedules for victims.
Odile then wrote one letter.
Sent it through me.
I did not deliver it.
I asked Imogen first.
She accepted.
Read.
Returned it.
No response.
I asked nothing.
Later, Imogen told Mariel the apology had one useful sentence:
I hurt you because I was afraid your hands knew more truth than my mouth could control.
Accurate.
Too poetic maybe.
Still true.
Imogen said:
“She still talks like everything is a performance.”
Mariel laughed.
“Some people take longer to become ordinary.”
Fair.
Odile disappeared from Ashbourne social life for a year.
Not punishment from me.
Choice.
She ended several Lennox family roles.
Confronted her father.
Moved out of his house.
Growth.
No reunion.
May you like
Important.
Change should not require reward from the person you hurt.
