Chapter 9 - WHAT FORGIVENESS COSTS
Six months passed.
The shipyard reopened under my control.
Tobias became chairman.
Penelope entered therapy and began rebuilding her relationship with her son.
I tried to rebuild my life.
But Garrett was gone.
I told myself that was better.
Then one rainy evening, someone knocked on my office door.
Garrett stood there.
Alive.
“I didn't come for forgiveness.”
I stared at him.
“Then why?”
“To tell you the truth.”
He handed me a letter.
It was from my father.
Written before his death.
My father had known Garrett's feelings for me.
He had written:
If Garrett ever chooses you over them, don't punish him for the sins of his family. Judge him for his own.
I cried.
Garrett didn't move closer.
“I don't expect you to love me.”
“I don't.”
He nodded.
“But I don't hate you anymore.”
His eyes closed.
May you like
That was enough.
For now.
