Chapter 15
Eulalie finally agreed to meet Ottavia eighteen months later.
Public café.
Callum nearby but not at the table.
I heard about it afterward.
Ottavia did not begin with:
“I was scared.”
Good.
She began:
“I destroyed money you earned.”
Then:
“I used your brother against you.”
Then:
“I made you believe obedience could buy his freedom when I never intended the debt to end.”
Specific.
Eulalie listened.
No tears.
Then asked:
“Why me?”
Ottavia answered honestly.
“Because you reminded me of myself.”
Eulalie almost laughed.
“That’s terrible.”
“Yes.”
“Did you hate yourself that much?”
Ottavia thought.
“Back then? Yes.”
Eulalie looked at her.
“And now?”
“Less.”
Good.
Not cured.
Not theatrical.
Less.
Then Eulalie asked:
“Do you expect forgiveness?”
“No.”
Better.
They finished coffee.
Eulalie paid for her own.
Ottavia did not argue.
Small.
Important.
Outside, Callum asked his sister how it went.
She said:
“She finally sounds like a person.”
Harsh.
Probably fair.
They still did not invite Ottavia into their lives.
Apology opened understanding.
May you like
Not access.
People confuse those too often.
