Chapter 13
Three months passed before Vivienne saw Celia again.
Not planned.
They crossed paths at an event meeting.
Vivienne stopped.
Celia did too.
I was present but said nothing.
Vivienne spoke first.
“I’m sorry.”
Celia stayed silent.
Good.
Then Vivienne made the mistake most guilty people make.
“I was scared.”
Celia answered quietly:
“So was I.”
That stopped her.
Better.
Vivienne corrected herself.
“I threatened your mother’s home.”
“Yes.”
“I made you wear something I was afraid to wear.”
“Yes.”
“I grabbed you when you tried to warn him.”
“Yes.”
No softening.
Then:
“You didn’t owe me silence.”
Celia’s expression changed slightly.
That mattered.
Not forgiveness.
Recognition.
Vivienne asked:
“Can I make anything right?”
Celia thought.
“Don’t talk to my mother.”
Unexpected.
Vivienne nodded.
“Okay.”
Boundary.
Specific.
Useful.
Later Celia told me:
“I don’t hate her.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I don’t forgive her either.”
“You don’t have to.”
She smiled.
“Boss says reasonable things sometimes.”
Dangerous insubordination.
I allowed it.
Then she asked whether Vivienne and I were still together.
“Not your problem.”
She laughed.
Correct answer.
The engagement remained off.
Relationship unclear.
May you like
Good.
Ambiguity is better than false certainty when trust is rebuilding.
