Chapter 12 - TYLER’S APOLOGY
Tyler wrote Emma from a treatment program months later.
His lawyer had advised substance-use treatment.
Emma almost threw the letter away.
Then read it.
The first paragraph was garbage.
Stress.
Fear.
Alcohol.
Panic.
He apologized without fully taking responsibility.
She stopped reading.
Two months later, another letter arrived.
Different.
I keep watching the part where I open the door.
Emma stared at the sentence.
I remember telling myself I had to get out. I did not think about you. That is the truth I hate most. I did not decide for you to crash. I simply stopped caring what happened to anyone except me for those few seconds.
Better.
Not absolution.
Truth.
Then:
Mom spent my whole life saving me before I could feel consequences. I used to think that meant she loved me more. Now I think it kept me twelve years old.
Emma read that twice.
Tyler continued:
You do not owe me forgiveness.
That was the first thing he had ever given her without expecting something back.
May you like
Emma did not reply.
Not yet.
