Chapter 14 - BROTHER AND SISTER
Months passed.
Ella healed.
The bruise on Noah’s cheek disappeared long before the shame over what he had done.
He entered counseling.
Megan insisted on one thing before any future relationship between the children was discussed.
Noah had to apologize.
Not because adults demanded it.
Because he understood why.
When the moment finally came, Noah sat across from Ella in a counselor’s office.
He could barely look at her.
“I thought you took something from me,” he said quietly.
Ella did not understand all of it.
But she understood enough.
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
Noah’s voice broke.
“I’m sorry.”
Ella studied him for a long moment.
Then she said, “You scared me.”
Noah nodded.
“I know.”
She did not hug him.
She did not magically forgive him.
But she stayed in the room.
That was enough.
Megan watched from the doorway.
Two children.
May you like
Both injured by secrets they never created.
She promised herself the adults would not ask them to repair everything the adults had broken.
