Chapter 19 - Vivian’s Last Visit
Vivian requested to see me nine years after attack.
Through Sarah, who was almost retired.
“No.”
Then another year.
“No.”
Then she sent medical update. Cancer? Could make sympathy. Better not manipulate. She simply wanted apologize.
I said written only.
She sent:
Elena,
I blamed you for everything because it was easier than admitting I had taught Daniel the rules did not apply to us.
Then:
When he sprayed you, I laughed because I thought he was putting you in your place.
Then:
When you screamed you could not see, I knew immediately something was wrong.
Then:
I still did not call for help.
That is the thing I cannot excuse.
Then:
I tried to delete camera.
Then:
I lied.
Then financial:
I took money from Cross because I believed the company existed for family first and shareholders/lenders second.
I was wrong.
No excuses.
Then:
I am sorry.
At bottom:
I do not ask to meet.
Good.
I wrote:
I received your letter.
Nothing more.
She did not contact again.
Years later she died at seventy eight from stroke.
Ordinary.
Her estate distributed according to trust.
Daniel and other family inherited.
No Vance/Hartwell claim.
No secret document.
I did not attend funeral.
I felt sad.
Not for relationship.
For waste.
A woman could have been mother in law I tolerated or even loved.
May you like
Instead she became person who laughed while I crawled blind.
Both ends of human possibility.
