Chapter 21 - Derek’s Letter
Derek wrote again after completing supervision.
Three years after divorce.
He requested no meeting.
The letter came through Lauren, even though she no longer actively represented me.
Old habits.
I read at home.
Claire,
I spent years telling myself the financial crimes were separate from the affair. They weren’t. Both came from the same belief that because you were capable of surviving betrayal, surviving was the same as consent.
I stopped.
That was close to truth.
He continued:
I resented earning less than you. I resented that your father protected your inheritance. I resented needing to ask before spending money I considered “ours.” Valerie made me feel admired instead of dependent.
There.
His motive.
Not love alone.
Ego.
Then:
When she got pregnant, I became obsessed with building a life that proved I was not secondary. The irony is that I funded it using you.
He finally understood.
Then:
I don’t expect forgiveness. I do want you to know I never believed you were worthless. Calling you useful was how I justified needing you.
That sentence angered me.
Useful was not compliment.
I did not answer.
But I no longer needed him to say more.
Hannah asked:
“Would an apology ever satisfy?”
“No.”
“Then stop grading them.”
That was good.
I stopped waiting for perfect remorse.
Derek became a person in another life.
He worked again after licensing? His work in commercial real estate could continue depending conviction maybe hard, but he found operations role at smaller firm.
He paid child support.
Restitution completed.
He co-parented Evan.
May you like
No contact with me.
That was closure.
