Chapter 25 - preston’s apology changed when he stopped mentioning pregnancy
Preston apologized to Amelia again when Clara was thirteen.
Amelia had not requested it.
They were at a school event waiting for Clara’s debate round.
Preston said:
“I finally know why my first apologies were useless.”
Amelia looked at him.
“I’m listening.”
“I kept talking about not knowing you were pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“I thought the worst part was almost hurting Clara.”
Amelia stayed silent.
Preston continued.
“The worst part was deciding it was acceptable to kick you at all.”
There it was.
Exactly what Amelia had tried to tell him in Chapter 10.
Years ago.
She did not feel triumph.
Only exhaustion at how long some truths take to arrive.
Preston added:
“And the financial part started before the kick.”
“I was already treating your trust in me like an asset.”
Amelia’s throat tightened.
That phrase came straight from the old email.
She trusts me.
“Why are you telling me now?”
“Because Clara asked me whether I’m a good person.”
Amelia almost laughed.
“What did you say?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
“I told her I’m a person who did something terrible and has done better things since.”
“That she gets to decide what that means for her.”
Amelia nodded.
Good answer.
Then Preston said:
“I don’t need you to forgive me.”
May you like
Amelia believed that too.
That was new.
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